Preview: In Our Veins

Lee Coffey’s ‘In Our Veins’ shows Dublin in all of its complex, messy and contradictory beauty. In tracing the heritage of one gregarious family, it explores nearly 100 years of complicated Irish history. Life-long Dublin docker Patrick has passed away surrounded by his beloved wife Esther, his son and his grandchildren. As his wife and children remember his life, new and old stories of his past are exposed. This troubling but often hilarious play depicts the harsh and often unpleasant madams of the Monto as well as navigating love in a dark and destabilised post-war world. The play examines the origins of Dublin City, both the good and the bad, and how the environment developed into a bustling and vibrant city.

A love letter to Dublin at the ADC (Image Credit: Orla Hogan)

Words from the Director – Orla Hogan

I discovered this show when I was on a solo trip to Dublin over the Easter break as I sought to research and trace my own family heritage. While my family is from the South of Ireland, Dublin is the city that fostered my parents’ relationship and is home to much of my extended family. I have always found Dublin and its people a great source of inspiration and wanted to deepen my understanding of the history that was surrounding me in the physical landscape.

The show tactfully uses three generations of one family to examine Dublin city and its development. It illuminates both the triumphs and pitfalls of the city as it grew and changed in a post-war society. It walks the fine line between shame, silencing and the need to discuss Ireland’s very tainted past. It does so in a way that is both sensitive to the topics but also raw, honest and does not attempt to provide a sanitised version of the past.

As a history student, I am particularly passionate about the show as it draws attention to an aspect of Ireland’s history that is often forgotten and silenced at the expense of other discourses. In pitching the show, I researched into Lee Coffey’s writing process, learning that he was commissioned to write In Our Veins by the Dublin Port Authority as part of their Port Perspectives Initiative. To this end, the history of Dublin is extremely tangible in the play, and it was important to me that the early stages of rehearsals were focused on each actor developing an understanding of the historical background of their roles.

Bringing rich characters to life (Image Credit: Orla Hogan)

Words from some of the actors: 

Christian Longstaff

Working on In Our Veins has been a fantastic experience; I’ve never taken on so many characters with such different personalities, and it’s been a really fun challenge. More than that, however, I’ve found it wonderful to be a part of this recreation of history, in a place not often explored by the theatrical mainstream, across such a wide number of years. The cast and crew have been fantastic to work with, and it has been such a supportive, creative environment that has really reminded me why I’m so lucky to be involved in Cambridge Theatre.

I hope you enjoy the show and join us in our journey through Dublin’s history! (Previous Credits include: Singin in the Rain (ADC Theatre), Two Short Farces by Chekhov (Corpus Playroom), The Trackers of Oxyrhynchus (ADC Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oxford Playhouse)

Actor Three – Grace Heslin

My name is Grace and I’m a second-year medic at Corpus Christi. I’ve not done much acting in Cambridge to be honest, but I love set design and I most recently did that for M. butterfly. I’m super excited to be getting on stage; especially in such a cool production. My favourite line from the play is probably Margo’s “leave the shame to the nuns”. It’s been so fun working on this, and I think people who love a really good story and a (hopefully) good Irish accent, should definitely come see it!

Actor Four – Meg Reynolds

Come and watch In Our Veins. It’s a story of tricky times, awkward new romance and complicated family dynamics. This time last year I was doing the footlights Harry Porter Prize play. Since then, I’ve kept busy with The Calligrapher and a short film that’s set to come out soon! A lot of work and one sprained wrist (@ Nathaniel the AD) have gone into this show. Don’t miss it!

My favourite line is “and then a voice spoke to me. With the most romantic introduction ever”.

Christian Longstaff as Actor 1 (Image Credit: Orla Hogan)

About the script:

‘It stands tall. And proud. And deservedly so’
The Arts Review

‘A love letter to Dublin, in every sense. Putting a lens up to a world that no longer exists and that will never exist again. A world of tough choices, hardship and survival where human kindness knew no bounds as the dark and unforgiving world took everything.’ Playwright Lee Coffey on his script In Our Veins

‘In Our Veins review: Story of good people in hard situation is pleasantly sentimental’ Irish Times

‘In Our Veins’ runs at the ADC Theatre from 18-22nd October

Tickets available here

Feature Image Credit: Orla Hogan & In Our Veins Team

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