National Theatre Wales have announced an island of Ireland tour of Cotton Fingers, written by award-winning writer Rachel Trezise and starring Northern Irish actor, Amy Molloy. This timely, politically-charged production, written during the referendum to repeal the 8th amendment in Ireland in 2018, will tour to venues in Belfast, Derry~Londonderry, Dublin and Bray from 22 May until 8 June 2019, marking one year since the historic referendum took place.
Set in Belfast, Cotton Fingers tells the story of a young woman making the journey to Wales to access free NHS abortion care. Amy Molloy will perform in this bold, one-woman show about the cycles of secrecy and the power young women hold over their futures, directed by National Theatre Wales’ Associate Director, Julia Thomas.
Aoife is hungry and in need of something to do. Cillian makes a mean cheese toastie.
As Aoife’s boredom and hunger are satisfied by half an hour in Cillian’s bed, her life changes forever. Smart and funny, Aoife knows there’s more out there for her. She just doesn’t know what it is yet.
As social and political upheaval grips the country she loves, can Aoife regain control over her future?
Cotton Fingers was originally performed in west Wales, in venues close to the port town of Fishguard, where Irish ferries dock, in July 2018. It was one of five monologues or Love Letters to the National Health Service that formed part of National Theatre Wale’s NHS70 Festival, celebrating the Service’s 70th birthday.
National Theatre Wales is a multi-award-winning theatre company that has been making English-language productions in locations all over Wales, the UK, internationally and online since March 2010. This is its first time touring to the island of Ireland.
Announcing the tour, National Theatre Wales’ Artistic Director, Kully Thiarai said:“We are very excited to be making our debut across the Irish Sea, bringing this funny, poignant but important production to audiences in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Marking a year since the historic referendum, Cotton Fingers highlights the stark differences between women’s rights on either side of the border. It’s a fantastic work of snappy Welsh writing, made by an extraordinary trio of talented women.”
For more information about the Cotton Fingers tour, click here.
