The Scourge (Michelle Dooley Mahon) relives visits to her mother Siobhan in a nursing home after she has been struck down by Alzheimer’s disease or what the scourge calls “death by a thousand cuts”. Through her hilarious as well as moving memories we are introduced to personalities, history, and a nostalgic archive of an ordinary Irish small-town family forced to become extraordinary in their attempt to cope. The production shines a light on an illness that is rarely discussed in detail. It takes us through the stages as the patient declines and describes the family’s implosion, the morphing of the scourge from wide eyed child into enfant terrible to obese depressed recluse and her re-emergence as a creator of her one woman show- ‘Shellshock’.
This production premiered in Wexford Arts Centre with revival In Wexford Opera Festival and Fringe Festival.
“Raw, witty and poetic, Michelle Dooley Mahon’s ‘The Scourge’ had a huge impact.’ Independent.ie
‘… moved and almost overcome by the humanity, hilarity and heart rending of The Scourge. .. raised me up and plunged me down on an emotional rollercoaster’.
Liam Murphy, Munster Express
This tour is supported by First Fortnight 2019 European Mental Health Art & Culture Festival, the Arts Council and Wexford County Council.
Directed By Ben Barnes
Age Suitability 13 +
Duration: 80 minutes, no interval
The Civic Sessions: Thursday 3rd Jan
Prof Desmond O’Neill a specialist in geriatric and stroke medicine based in Tallaght Hospital and regular national media contributer including regular contributions in The Irish Times will join The Scourge writer and performer Michelle Dooley Mahon and Michael Barker Caven, Artistic Director of The Civic for a post-show discussion.
