MACHA was established in May 2015 by Fionnuala Kennedy and Jo Egan. Macha's first two years saw the production of two major projects: Entitled by Fionnuala Kennedy (MAC, Belfast Feb 2017) and Madame Geneva by Jo Egan (Lyric Theatre, Belfast. May 2017). This was followed by a remount of Hostel by Fionnuala Kennedy (Grand Opera House June 2017). Sweeties and No Motive by Jo Egan will be produced in September 2021.
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Madame Geneva by Jo Egan​
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18th - 29th May 2017 Lyric Theatre, Belfast​
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Madame Geneva is a bawdy song and dance set in Old London. Madame Geneva, the popular name for Gin, lands with the Dutch armies of William of Orange. Almost immediately she invokes a gloriously decadent atmosphere across the rapidly growing city. Sold at the corner shop she offers women easy access to alcohol. The anti-gin movement inextricably link her with fallen women, and drunken fishwives in a bid to eradicate her, manifesting in a reforming approach for women of middle and lower classes resulting in the establishment of the first Magdalen Penitentiary in London 1758. Madame Geneva portrays a ferociously exciting time, telling its tale through some of the most exciting, dark and interesting characters of the day.​
To view the Madame Geneva Evaluation click here.
Madame Geneva has been funded by The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, The Wellcome Foundation Public Engagement Fund and The Garfield Weston Foundation.
Entitled by Fionnuala Kennedy
February 2017 The Mac, Belfast
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This is a play. This is not real life. It’s a story. Who is entitled to benefits? Who is entitled to say who shouldn’t receive support? We have written characters who are deserving and who aren’t – fraudsters stealing our hard-earned money. They are fictional. They are not real. We have created them. Have your say in the audience referendum. It’s not real. It’s a device. Your vote won’t change anything. This is a play. This is not real life. Reality is worse.
Hostel by Fionnuala Kennedy
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June 2017 Grand Opera House, Belfast
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Hostel was first produced in 2010 by Fionnuala Kennedy, and was subsequently produced by Kabosh Theatre. The play is based on Kennedy's experience in sheltered accommodation for young families with her daughter. It follows the story of Maria, a single-parent who becomes homeless and finds herself in a world of housing points, benefits and judgement. A dramatic comedy about women and homelessness, Hostel is a three hander for three female actors.