Bridging the Gap
Ever wonder why Charlotte is “the most quotable” Brontë?
You know their books but do you know the sisters? The fights and friction, the love and loss. Follow Charlotte Brontë as she navigates the rise to fame and glory for her and the Brontë sisters whilst juggling family, ambition and loss. Underdog begs the audience to question who is really the icon and who’s the other sister whilst following the Brontë sisters from childhood to their books publication. The sisters will journey through jealously, rivalry and the power of words. Words that hold power and with that… responsibility…
Directed by Bridging the Gap, Sarah Gordon’s play is an irreverent retelling of the life and legend of the Brontë sisters, and the story of the sibling power dynamics that shaped their uneven rise to fame.
Underdog: The Other Other Brontë is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French, Ltd.
www.concordtheatricals.co.uk
Funded in part by Dublin City Arts Grant Award 2026 – Neighbourhood / Voluntary.
Age Suitability: 14+
Warnings: Themes of loss, misogyny, death/grief, depression and addiction. Contains explicit language.
WRITTEN BY Sarah Gordan
MEMBER DIRECTOR Aisling O’Shea Gaffney
DIRECTING MENTOR Christina Matthews
LIGHTING DESIGN BY Bill Woodland
SET DESIGN BY Aisling O’Shea Gaffney
COSTUME DESIGN BY Bridging the Gap
SOUND DESIGN BY Bridging the Gap
PRODUCED BY Sadhbh McDonough & Ellen Donohoe
MOVEMENT & INTIMACY Sophia Mitchell
STAGE COMBAT Barry Morgan
CAST Caoimhe Woods, Daniella Hensman, Eoghan Flanagan-Healy, Faith Olasogba, Isabella Randolph, Ishbel Clarence – Ray, Lughadh Sisk, Millie Starr
TICKETS €18 | €10 (concession)
GROUP DISCOUNT – €15 tickets for groups of 6+
RUNNING TIME 2 hrs incl 10 min interval
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Bridging the Gap is an over 18s youth theatre project based on Pearse Street, set up by former members of youth theatres & drama groups from across Ireland.
Our members represent a huge range of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, and there is no fee to be a member. Our goal is to put on plays, take masterclasses, work on our theatrical skillset, etc. Simply to make theatre together. We are creating a space to bridge the gap between youth drama and adult engagement in the arts.
Many young artists find themselves excluded from theatre once they leave school, as most opportunities are locked behind costly programmes or academic institutes. We want to remedy that.
Past Productions:
2023 production of Bouncers/Shakers by John Godber, staged in The Pearse Theatre, funded by the Arts Council’s Young Ensembles scheme. Sold out production.
2024 production of The Happy Prince, by Oscar Wilde. Staged in The Pearse Theatre, funded through member fundraising, donations&sponsorship.
2024 production of This is A Room, by Carys Coburn. Staged in multiple rooms in The Ireland Institute, funded through member fundraising,donations&sponsorship. Sold out production.
2025 In Progress: a showcase of members’ original writing. staged in The Pearse Theatre, funded by The Young Ensembles Scheme.
2025 production of The Almighty Sometimes by Kendall Feaver. Staged in Players Theatre, funded by the Arts Council’s YoungEnsembles scheme
2025 production of Eight, by Ella Hickson. Staged in The Pearse Theatre, funded through member fundraising, donations&sponsorship. Sold out production.
2025 production of Good Gried, an original play by member Aaron DeLacy. Staged in The Pearse Theatre, funded through member fundraising.
2025 production of Eunach in a Call Centre, an original play by member Grainne Condron. Staged in The Pearse Theatre, funded through member fundraising.
2026 production of Dance Nation by Clare Barron. Staged in Players Theatre, funded through member fundraising, table quiz and past box office.
All productions have been member-led, and supported by our professional project coordinator/directing mentor Christina Matthews
