Cuckoo-Land is this electrifying piece of gig theatre dives into the story of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, shining a light on a movement that challenged the status quo and made history. With a driving soundtrack and a story full of urgency, humour, and heart, this is theatre that refuses to be ignored.
Cuckoo-Land is a bold and electric night of gig theatre – which basically means it’s a piece of theatre with a live band on stage; imagine the storytelling of theatre but the energy of a gig. This Kabosh and MAC co-production brings important stories to the stage in a completely fresh way.
At a recent preview, a member of the NI Women’s Coalition shared: “I enjoyed the rehearsed sharing last Thursday. The entire performance will no doubt be great.” When the story resonates with those who were truly there, you know it’s going to be something special.
1996. Northern Ireland’s on the brink. Politics is a boys’ club, and we’re done pretending otherwise.This high voltage piece of gig theatre smashes open the story of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition.Cuckoo-Land throws audiences straight into the adrenaline of a movement built from kitchen tables, community halls, and pure stubborn hope. These weren’t career politicians. They were activists, mothers, social workers, academics; women who realised that if they didn’t fight their way into the process, nobody was ever going to open the door for them.This is the story of what happens when women crash the party, refuse to behave, and drag a country toward a different future, one cigarette and late night strategy session at a time.
Curated a collection of post-show panels
We have also curated a collection of post-show panels* to go along with performances of Cuckoo-Land featuring creatives, political leaders, academics and voices from the music industry discussing a range of thought-provoking topics.
Friday 17 April: The Power of Art – The Creative Process (BSL Interpreted)
Chair: Dr Lisa Fitzpatrick (Ulster University)
Panelists: Paula McFetridge (Director), Vittoria Cafolla (Playwright) and Tracey Lindsay (Designer)
Saturday 18 April (7:30pm): The Next Generation of Activism – Youth, Politics and Our Future
Chair: Sorcha McGlynn (QUB Psychology Masters Student)
Panelists: Fatima Sarwari (Alghochak), Hannah Gibson (CATU) and Aoife Clements (50:50 NI)
Wednesday 22 April: Invisible Women – Women’s Rise in Music
Chair: Katie Richardson (Composer)
Panelists: Cheylene Murphy (Musician), Aine Cronin-McCartney (Radio Presenter, producer, artist manager and label manager) + 1 TBC
Friday 24 April: A Seat at the Table – Gender, power and negotiation
Chair: Roisín Higgins (Maynooth University)
Panelists: Tony Novosel (University of Pittsburgh), Bronagh Hinds (DemocraShe / NIWC) and Avila Kilmurray (Social Change Initiative / NIWC)
*Anyone with a ticket to any performance of Cuckoo-Land across the run can join us for any post-show panel. Just present your ticket at the MAC before the panel begins (approx 9:15PM for evening shows, 4:15PM for matinees).
