In March 1835, ten thousand people crammed the streets of Carlow to see the public hanging of Lucinda Sly and John Dempsey. It was to be the last public hanging of a woman in the town. Sly and Dempsey had been convicted of the murder of Lucinda’s husband, Walter. Lucinda was a Protestant, John a Catholic; Lucinda was a landowner, John her labourer; Lucinda was 58 years old, John was less than half her age. They were lovers. John MacKenna’s new play is a tale of love, lust, land and murder – a passionate and powerful play intended only for over-16s.
John MacKenna is an Irish playwright and novelist.MacKenna writes for, directs and acts with Mend and Makedo Theatre Co and his most recent works for that company are “Breathless” (2005 & 2010 – Directed by Petra Costigan-Oorthuijs and Richard Ball ); “My Father’s Life” (2006); “We Once Sang LIke Other Men (2009); “Redemption Song (2011 Both directed by Marian Brophy). His theatrical work, “Who by Fire”, for the Water to Wine Theatre Company is based on the experiences of a Holocaust survivor, and uses Leonard Cohen’s songs[2] the mood for a chilling exposition of the continuing threat of totalitarianism. It has toured Ireland to great popular acclaim.
Lucinda Sly is written and directed by John MacKenna
Presented by Mend & Makedo Theatre Company
