Sixteen years ago, in the city of Leixlip outside of Dublin, an aunt and her three adult nieces – all of which she had raised as her own – made an unusual and still today inexplicable decision. This small group of people barricaded themselves in their home and entered into a protracted suicide pact, lasting for 40 days – they starved themselves to death. The four of them also destroyed all evidence, leaving no clue as to why they choose to end their lives in such a painful and sustained manner. This mysterious hunger strike is the starting point for Lippy, a theatrical investigation of truth and manipulation.

The young and experimental theatre company Dead Centre from Dublin gained a lot of attention with Lippy when it premiered at the Edinburgh Festival in 2013. The play has since toured internationally, won a number of awards and had critic’s astouned. The New York Times wrote “Lippy” is a very smart, very chilly play”. Irish Times stated that “Lippy is like nothing else you’ll see” and British The Guardian said that it is “An unconventional play (…) pushes at the limits of theatre”.

Dead Centre was formed by Bush Moukarzel, Ben Kidd and Adam Welsh in Dublin, 2012. They have a playful and unique expression often with a dramatic twist, highlighting new stories from what’s already been told. Their productions, a total of four so far, have all been praised both on Ireland and internationally.

Regarding Lippy the group says: “We weren’t there. We have no idea what they said. This is not their story. We’re just putting words in their mouths”.

Written by: Bush Moukarzel
Co-writer: Mark O’Halloran
On stage: Joanna Banks, Bush Moukarzel, Gina Moxley, Catriona Nu Mhuircu, Liv O’Donoghue, Dan Reardon, Adam Welsh.
Scenography: Andrew Clancy
Light: Stephen Dodd
Sound and music: Adam Welsh
Producer: Irene O Mara
Directed by: Ben Kidd and Bush Moukarzel

With funding from: Dublin Fringe, Arts council Ireland och National Theatre Studio.
Tour support: Culture Ireland.