WOMB

Written by Maud Hendricks and devised in collaboration with Open Theatre Practice participants and hospital staff, building on our pioneering quality engagement with the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital and wider community of Dublin 8. Presented as part of First Fortnight European Mental Health Art and Culture Festival January 2019.

Outlandish Theatre collaborated with eleven community participants from CWIUH and the Dublin 8 area in the research, develoment and presentation phase. These collaborations were paramount in the development of script, concept devising process relating to the eventual performance outcome.

In the final phase of devising, rehearsing and performing we collaborated with four diverse community participants exploring first hand responses to found concepts and delivering original textual responses as well as offering participants a professional experience of working in a professional setting and performing in seven performances to a public audience.

Testing the boundaries of possibilities of working on a professional production with both participants and professionals. Through extensive preparations by directors Bernie O’reilly and Maud Hendricks and working with professionals Venetia Bowe and James Hosty who both have experience in working cross-disciplinary our experience was encouraging as directors, satisfying for participants and professionals.