Once Off Productions and Galway International Arts Festival

Unspeakable Conversations

by Christian O’Reilly in collaboration with Liz Carr, Mat Fraser and Olwen Fouéré
directed by Olwen Fouéré and Kellie Hughes

I am at Princeton University. My host is Professor Peter Singer, often called the most influential philosopher of our time. He is the man who wants me dead. No, that’s not fair...

Can an argument be made for killing disabled babies within the first months of their lives? Peter Singer, philosopher and author of Animal Liberation, says yes. Harriet McBryde Johnson, attorney and disability rights activist, disagrees.

In a new play based on their Princeton encounter and immortalised in Johnson’s New York Times Magazine article, Unspeakable Conversations thrusts us into the heart of this life and death debate, asking us all to consider this question.

Internationally acclaimed disabled actors Liz Carr [Silent Witness; Loki; Olivier Award winner; The Normal Heart National Theatre, London] and Mat Fraser [American Horror Story; His Dark Materials, Loudermilk, Richard III] take to the stage as Harriet and Peter, but also as themselves, as friends and actors, to interrogate this unspeakable conversation through humour and personal insight, mixing verbatim text with their own words.

Provocative, transformative, and highly entertaining, this exhilarating theatre experience was conceived by Christian O’Reilly and written in collaboration with Liz Carr, Mat Fraser and Olwen Fouéré.

Accessibility Notes:

  • Please contact the Box Office for accessible seating reservations upon booking tickets.

ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES

Irish Sign Language Interpreted Performance: Saturday 27 July, 2pm

Captioned Performance: Friday 19 July, 8pm

Accessibility
  • ISL-Interpreted icon ISL-Interpreted
  • Open Captions icon Open Captions
  • Wheelchair Accessible icon Wheelchair Accessible

Liz Carr: Performer/Co-writer

Mat Fraser: Performer/Co-writer

Christian O'Reilly:  Writer

Olwen Fouéré: Director/Co-writer

Kellie Hughes: Director

Matt Burke: Lighting Design

Tobias Barry: Sound Design

Zoe Reynolds: Stage Manager

Aisling Hanrahan: Theatre PA

Peter Searle: Image

Emilija Jefremova: Production Photography

Ashley Behrend: Hair, Make-Up & Wardrobe

Morgan Steele: Company Manager

Emily Aherne: Assistant Producer

Maria Auletta: Production Assistant

Avram Rosewood: Chief LX

Gavin Kennedy: Production Manager

Adam Fitzsimons: Production Manager

Paul Fahy: Producer

Maura O'Keeffe: Producer


Produced in association with Magic Pill Productions, Mermaid Arts Centre and Independent Living Movement Ireland.

Originally developed with the support of The Abbey Theatre [Engine Room], Town Hall Theatre [Patron Donation Award] and National Theatre [London].

Post-show talk with the company Friday 19 July

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Please contact the Box Office for accessible seating reservations upon booking tickets.
  • Recommended for age 14+