Mercury
The New Theatre, Dublin, 2016
Photography by Dónal Kennedy and Jamie Hooper
About the play
When Jane goes missing during a camping trip, Era struggles to cope and retreats backwards in time. Gradually Era's memories unearth the complex relationship she had with Jane, her feelings for her, and the challenges of grieving for someone who just disappears.
Mercury originated in workshops conducted with community mental health volunteers in the summer of 2015. Material and testimonies gathered from the workshops was shaped into the first draft of a story.
Performed at The New Theatre, Dublin, 2016.
Director's note (Sophie Cairns)
Mercury is Era's story. It is her love, her loss, her struggle. Everything we see on stage is that. The writing captures the complexity of mourning. When Era's memories become too much, they are replaced by dinosaurs, whales, astronauts. Era is given a chance to remember Jane as she wants to remember her.
Press and Reviews
"There is a nice touch of magic in the air in this production" - No More Workhorse
Poster by Donal Kennedy and Jamie Hooper
Production information
Directed by Sophie Cairns
Written by James Ireland
Performed by Martha Grant, Orla Devlin, and Oisin Porter
Produced by Cyclamen Theatre & The New Theatre, James Ireland, Joe Murphy, and Alanna Lawlor
Set by Luke Casserly
Lighting by Ciaran Gallagher
Costume by Sorcha Flanagan
Sound by Richard Durning
Puppetry Design by Jack Nolan
Puppetry Build by Jack Nolan, James Ireland, Sadie Devane, and Catríona Maloney
Puppetry Operation by Alice Bellamy and Oisin Porter
Stage Management by Jen Aust
Assistant Stage Management by Allie Whelan
Production Management by Nathanael O'Leary
Graphic Design by Dónal Kennedy and Jamie Hooper
With thanks to workshop participants AR, FK, EP, and JAOK.
Photography by Dónal Kennedy and Jamie Hooper
Video trailer for New Theatre run with original music by Richard Durning