Talking Birds
Disorder Contained examines the effects on mental health of the Separate System – a strict form of solitary confinement introduced in Irish and British prisons in the 19th century – originally aimed at reflection, repentance and reform, but later used as deliberate punishment.
[blockquote_right] 12 – 14 Jul | 8pm | Boys’ School
Matinee: Fri 14 Jul | 3pm
Post show discussion with artistic team | Wed 12 Jul
Post show discussion with expert panel | Thu 13 Jul
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Performed in the round, it combines original music, song and visual flair to address difficult subject matter with wit and compassion. Audiences will have an up-close experience, enabling them to connect closely with the characters and stories drawn from prisoners’ memoirs, doctors’ casebooks, and the reflections of prison staff.
A creative collaboration between acclaimed theatre company Talking Birds and the Centres for the History of Medicine in Ireland and England, Disorder Contained has many resonances with the present day, raising questions about approaches to mental health, punishment and containment. It will particularly appeal to anyone working in or interested in mental health, criminal/social justice or human rights.
About Talking Birds: Talking Birds’ work is characterised by a distinctive blend of humour, music and visual flair in venues both conventional and unconventional – from the Queen Elizabeth Hall, to Kilkenny Livestock Mart; from traditional theatre spaces to a cavernous underground car park – and a giant aluminium Whale which swallows up audiences one at a time.
The company creates work which explores the profound and complex relationships between people and place. Most often, this is through a playful interrogation of ideas, stories and places, with moments of transformation which can surprise, delight, and challenge our audiences. The work is intended to be generous and thoughtful, but also gently provocative, and is often profoundly felt by the communities in which it is presented.
CAPTIONING for deaf/hard of hearing audience members: The performance will be captioned (subtitled) to audience members’ mobile devices, using Talking Birds’ new app – the Difference Engine. To use this experimental service, please email access@talkingbirds.co.uk in advance, for more information.
Image courtesy of the Howard League Archives held at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick
[cta headline=”Tickets €10/€5 concession” buttontext=”Book Now” buttonlink=”httpss://smockalley.ticketsolve.com/shows/873575345″ ] Book tickets for Disorder Contained today![/cta]