Abbey Theatre - Amharclann na Mainistreach

In May of last year the high court judge Sean Ryan finally revealed the 2,600-page report of Ireland’s Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (commonly known as the Ryan Report). This report followed a nine year investigation into allegations of child sexual, physical and emotional abuse in Catholic Church-run institutions.

In responding to the report, Taoiseach Brian Cowen claimed it shone a powerful light into ‘the darkest corner of the history of the State’. Under the title, The Darkest Corner, we present a series of powerful work which both remembers the findings and reflects on the systemic abuse revealed within state-funded and regulated institutions.

The Darkest Corner series begins with No Escape a piece of documentary theatre based on the findings of the Ryan Report.

No Escape is compiled and edited by celebrated writer and journalist Mary Raftery and directed by Róisín McBrinn. Mary’s 1999 film States of Fear and follow up book Suffer the Little Children exposed the widespread abuse of children in institution run by the Church.

No Escape marks a major departure for us. It is the first time we have commissioned a piece of documentary theatre to investigate current or recent events in Irish society.

Please note: there will be a wheelchair accessible performance of No Escape on Tuesday 20 April at 8pm in the Liberty Hall Theatre. Phone bookings only for this performance on 01 87 87 222.

The Darkest Corner continues with a reading of Richard Johnson’s courtroom drama The Evidence I Shall Give, which premiered at the Abbey in 1961 and concludes with Gerard Mannix Flynn’s play, James X, a Farcry productions presentation.

Hear a review of No Escape on RTÉ 1 Arena with presenter Sean Rocks.

No Escape
Wednesday 14 – Saturday 24 April
Preview Tuesday 13 April
8pm, Saturday matinee 2.30pm
Tickets: €15 – €25

Wheelchair accessible performance: Tuesday 20 April at 8pm, Liberty Hall Theatre NB change of venue for this performance

Sign language interpreted performance: Thursday, 22 April. For more information about our assisted performances, click here.

The Evidence I Shall Give
Monday 26 April
Peacock stage
6pm

Wheelchair accessible performance:
Tuesday 27 April
Liberty Hall Theatre
6pm
Book for this performance on (01) 87 87 222

Tickets: €6/€4

James X
Thursday 29 April – Saturday 1 May
8pm
Tickets: €15 – €25

The Darkest Corner ticket packages
See two or more of these events and save up to €5 on your tickets.
Call Box Office on 01 87 87 222 for details.

Meet the makers of No Escape, Mary Raftery and Róisín McBrinn as they discuss documentary theatre-making on Thursday, 15 April. Read more online.

Book now or call (01) 87 87 222

Unfortunately, the Peacock Theatre is not accessible to patrons who require wheelchair and disability access.