MADAME DE MARKIEVICZ ON TRIAL

Following a sell-out run in Dublin, Madame de Markievicz on Trial goes on a national tour. It is a drama centred around Constance Markievicz depicting an event in Dublin at Easter in 1916 when a policeman was fatally shot. It is set in a courtroom and a prison cell during the autumn of 1917 and the dialogue is largely based on the extensive speeches made by Markievicz during this time.

The play has a cast of four women and two men. Apart from the prosecutor, all the characters are based on actual people and each one is impressive in their strength of character. William May, the prosecutor and sole fictional character in the drama is the Devil’s Advocate. He trawls through all aspects Madam’s life and times from her birth to 1917 to challenge the misinformation created by post 1916 propaganda.

The testimonies of the witnesses are interwoven to show that Madam was a normal multi-dimensional woman in contrast to the usual one-dimensional icon frequently presented. The audience will be the ultimate judge, as they leave the theatre to decide to issue an innocent or guilty verdict.