About this Event
Penelope Hayes was raised a woman of values, values which found their embodiment in the presidency and personality of Richard Nixon. Now, in 1979, with her political connections in tatters, her family as divided post-Watergate as the country itself, Penelope is politically homeless, divorced, financially ruined, and without any identity.
But now, finally, a chance to turn things around. An interview with by chat-show host Cal Bennington – her opportunity to establish (and monetise) her inimitable Virginian voice.
However, Bennington has his own agenda. Penelope’s son, and cult horror filmmaker, Lee, has attracted commentary from Penelope’s fellow Republicans, who label his debut feature Virginia as dangerous pornography, and Lee himself the product of a questionable upbringing. Bennington’s briefcase bulges with nasty surprises, including her husband’s unpublished memoir, and her son’s new screenplay.
Live on air, Penelope must confront the reality of her relationships with the men closest to her: husband, son, father and former president. Of all her values, only truth can assist her.
This will be the first complete public reading of Ms Barker, which John began working on in Dr Mick Gordon’s scriptwriting class at the Seamus Heaney Centre.
John Moriarty is a writer-performer from Dublin, living in Belfast since 2009. He completed an MA in Creative Writing in 2023 and has been selected for BBC Voices the Irish Writers Centre’s New Voices North, and for the Culture Belfast Playwriting Intensive programme and showcase. He wrote and independently produced the short film, Buds.
He co-founded YoJo Productions with Darcey Youngman. Together they have produced the short documentary Roll On: A Year of Touch Rugby and presented a one-act play We’re Friends, Right? at Accidental Theatre’s Bitter Fringes and at the Whispers From the Reed festival. Ms Barker is John’s first full-length play.
Event venue & nearby stays
The Seamus Heaney Centre, 38 University Road, Belfast, United Kingdom
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