A hard-hitting Fringe production about clerical child abuse has earned praise from survivors.
Inspired by true events, Ronan Colfer’s Our Brothers in Cloth has also won critical acclaim for its depiction of a family dealing with rumours that their deceased son was abused by the previous parish priest and the fallout among them when sides are taken.
The production has had a profound impact on audiences who have shown support in their numbers at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, stressing the importance of non-biased thought-provoking productions.
One audience member said: “The message is crafted with nuance, the actors’ pain is palpable, and when you watch it you feel similarly outraged, like you’re bearing witness.”
Twenty years on from The Ferns Report – a landmark government inquiry in allegations of clerical sexual abuse in the diocese of Ferns in Co. Wexford, Ireland – this bold production showcases the impact that this kind of abuse has had not only on the victims, but on the families and the communities as well.
Our Brothers in Cloth is backed by Irish activist and survivor, Colm O’Gorman who said: “Lives have been blighted and families have been torn apart. For many, the struggle to survive and move beyond such trauma is ongoing.”
Other survivors of clerical abuse, such as Sean Faloon, have also supported the show. He said: “It educates people on how families can be broken so easily by any type of abuse presented to the family.”
The play highlights the catastrophic damage done to families and communities, and the reluctance of the Catholic church to take accountability and apologise for the heinous actions of their ministers of the faith – heinous actions which were clearly proven in The Ferns Report and similar reports which have followed.
Our Brothers in Cloth is running until Monday, August 25 at the Edinburgh Fringe, and is proudly supported by survivor charities including The Survivors Trust, Nexus NI, and ICAP.
Director, dramaturge, and producer Ryan McVeigh says: “Our audience are taken on a journey of bravery, heartache, and loss in this memory play. Poke the Bear Productions’ mission is to rattle the cages of our audience, provoking them to rethink their moral and ethical position, and to spark debates within themselves and with one another after the show.
“Our Brothers in Cloth leaves them to contemplate their relationship with the church, their families, and how essential it is to speak for the silenced and abused.”
Actor and producer Oli Fyne says: “It has been a profoundly moving experience bringing this important story to my home town of Edinburgh, we’ve all worked hard getting this production to audiences and have been deeply moved by the passionate reception. We are excited to continue with this momentum, taking the show forward to audiences around the UK and Ireland.”
“Every character is played with nuance and skill” – ★★★★ The Edinburgh Reporter – read the review here.
Tickets https://www.edfringe.com/
