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Review - Daughters of Róisín

A young girl sits in the middle of a room, arranging crisp white sheets. She does not look up, so focused on the task at hand. This is the sight that awaits audiences when walking into the theatre to see The Daughters of Róisín, written by and starring Aoibh Johnson. The story begins with the girl addressing the audience directly with the opening to For What Died the Sons of Róisín , a poem written by Dubliner Luke Kelly, and continuing with a pertinent question: “For what died the daughters of Róisín?”.  From there a compelling story unfolds.  

Based on true events endured by many young girls in Ireland over the last 100 years, this play tells the story of a young girl trapped in her bedroom for months on end. A “sickness” has befallen her, and her family have hidden her away from the world. The only contact the girl has is with her family, a visitor and her “sickness”. It is captivating to see this brave girl suffer pain and heartbreak as her “sickness” endures and is eventually taken from her.  

Johnson’s script, based on the experiences of her Great Grandmother Kathleen Barry, reflects the care and dedication she has put into telling not only Kathleen’s story but the story of all young girls who were forced to endure the same experience. The heart and soul Johnson pours into her performance brings the girl to life. The choice to not give the girl a name adds to the production further, as it becomes not one person’s story, but the story of all who have suffered this injustice. Though the play is set in Ireland – the Róisín of Luke Kelly’s poem – the subject is a common one, similarly experienced here in Australia.

The play is a thoughtful and reflective piece, and sheds light on what church and state sanctioned abuse on young unmarried pregnant girls was like from the inside. It showcases what minimal contact with others can do to a young mind, as the girl slowly descends into madness with only her “sickness” as a constant companion. Johnson brings the audience into the story further by addressing us directly; asking questions, telling stories, waiting for the visitor. It tells of the aftermath, of how the girl could not bear to stay in the country she once called home .

The pacing and movement add tension to the narrative, compelling audiences to take heed of the tale being told. Under the direction of Cahal Clarke, Johnson is able to give a nuanced performance of a very personal story.  

The Daughters of Róisín is beautiful in its subtlety and care in telling a very important story of those who did not and do not have a voice. It takes you on a journey through 9 months in the life of a trapped, voiceless girl, crying out to the world, and leaves you reflecting on how lucky we are to live in a society where this is no longer common practice and how much we have learned from these brave soldiers, the Daughters of Róisín.