hostel

Written and directed By: Fionnuala Kennedy
Production Premiere: 7th March 2011

Maria is going places.

She’s getting an education, a degree, and she’s getting out.

Then she gets pregnant - and like that...she’s written off.

Placed in sheltered accommodation she discovers a world beyond hooped earrings and pyjamas, through friendship, night-feeds and WKD.

“I’d heard horror stories of hostels…I thought they’d be one tiny room with a mattress on the floor, where you and your child would sleep behind a dodgy door with druggies coming to kill you in the night”

Hostel is warm, funny and thought-provoking. This is a nuanced and relevant discussion of issues that, as a society, we all too often prefer to brush under the carpet.

Culture Northern Ireland
a very powerful experience, and its impact on me will last for a long time. Your ability to take the audience on such an emotional roller-coaster is remarkable.

Joy Allen, Chair of Board of Simon Community
Hard-hitting, interesting, thought-provoking – getting beneath the veneer of homelessness and vulnerability. A must for those working in social housing – practice, policy and delivery. Homelessness has to be everybody’s business

Audience Feedback

CREATIVE TEAM

2011 Cast:
Monica McNally

Julie Maxwell

Caroline Curran

Elaine Barnes - Stage Manager

2012 and 2013 Cast:

Louise Mathews

Julie Maxwell

Caroline Curran

Producer: Jo Egan

Jackie Maxwell - Stage Manager 2012

Christine Collins - Stage Manager 2013

PAST PERFORMANCES

September:
Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Derry
April:
- Holiday Inn, Belfast for DSD reps
January:
- Baby Grand, Grand Opera House - public and staff from Open Door Housing Association & The Simon Community.
- Rosemount House (temporary accommodation for recovering addicts)
- Playhouse Theatre, Derry.
- Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick.
August:
Conway Mill, Falls Road as part of Féile an Phobail.
May:
Belfast Inclusion Festival, Crescent Arts Centre
March:
Cross-community audiences for each and a post-show facilitated by Jo Egan
Short Strand Community Centre; Shankill Women’s Centre; and Old Museum Arts Centre, Belfast.