More Theater Monday - Belfast Girls

We were given complimentary tickets to Belfast Girls for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own. 

What: Belfast Girls 

Where: Irish Repertory Theatre 

            132 W. 22nd St.

            New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 12 and Up

When: Through June 26, 2022

In the late 1840s under the Female Orphan Immigration Scheme, orphaned Irish young women between the ages of 14 and 18 were shipped off to Australia to start new lives. Australia needed women because men far outnumbered women there. The government agreed to the scheme because it cost them nothing, and they were able to get people out of overcrowded workhouses.

Belfast Girls is the story of five such women. The story takes place entirely on-board ship during their crossing. Chika Shimzu's scenic design, Michael O'Connor's lighting design, and Caroline Eng's sound design do a terrific job of reinforcing the starkness and scariness of the journey and the extreme closeness of the quarters.

In these close quarters, all these women have their secrets to hide one of which eventually leads to a tragic turn of events. These women's stories are heartbreaking. It is sad how little control they have over their own lives and the things they have been forced to endure. What's even sadder is that even though they are hopeful that there lives will be better once they have reached their destination, there is no guarantee that this is the case.

A quintet of talented actresses plays these women with a mixture of toughness and vulnerability. Aida Leventaki is particularly effective as the sweet and perhaps the most hopeful, Molly, who has the biggest secret and thereby the most to lose. Caroline Strange is Judith who starts out tough but becomes very nurturing and protective in her relationship with Molly, a relationship which develops in surprising and tender ways. Sarah Street's, Sarah is both the keeper and the revealer of secrets. She knows more than she is letting on about their ultimate destination, but she is not afraid to let out other people's secrets without regard for possible grievous consequences when she thinks she's been wronged. The other girls are somewhere in-between willing to jump on the righteous bandwagon but not hard-hearted enough to turn away when faced with unspeakable consequences. 

The show is engrossing and moves along at a fairly brisk pace. It is definitely not for young children though due to the subject matter nor is it in any way uplifting. It is very timely, however, in that it points out once again the way different groups of people have been mistreated throughout history and why we need to strive to truly makes this a better more equitable world for all. 

And that's our view. For more about Belfast Girls or to purchase tickets, visit irishrep.org/show/2021-2022-season/belfast-girls. 

Tune in tomorrow for Tips for Tuesday.

Photo credits:

All Belfast Girls production photos by Carol Rosegg