Following three years of intense exploration into the complexity of women’s lives, the core group of women living and working in Rialto began working towards a major public performance. The team invited Brokentalkers, a theatre company nationally recognised for their innovative approach to theatre making and their work with non professional participants to enter the process.  Together all partners brought this new production to its public form, in Project Arts Centre on 12-14 May 2016.

The Natural History of Hope performance is an unflinching exploration of gender and class inequality and the complexity of women’s lives told through real life stories of oppression, resilience, solidarity and hope. Based on hundreds of testimonies of women in the Rialto area of Dublin’s inner city, Natural History of Hope is performed by an intergenerational cast of women living and working in Rialto.

“an extraordinary piece of theatre… full of surprises, self-awareness, raw honesty, striking visuals and deep humour… one of the most powerful nights in a theatre I’ve ever experienced. It’s not a play, it’s real life.”

Abie Philbin Bowman, Writer, Comedian and Reporter on RTE Radio 1’s Arena, May 2016

Download the performance programme here

See Sarah Keating Irish Times review here

Read a critical discussion featuring Natural History of Hope in the publication Freedom?

This performance received financial support from the Arts Council through the Project Awards for Arts Participation and the Artist in Community Scheme, managed by Create. The process was also supported through a long-term residency in the fifth block art studio, Dolphin House and a two-stage residency award in studio 468, co-managed by Common Ground & Rialto Development Association.