Madame de Markievicz on Trial – New Theatre – Review by Fran Winston

The New Theatre, 43 Essex Street East, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

Until March 12th and then touring nationwide until April 23rd

The 1916 commemorations have started kicking off in earnest so no doubt we can expect plenty more theatre set around the events of that fateful Easter. This offering, as the title suggests tell the tale of Countess Markievicz’s trial for the murder of Constable Michael Lehiff during the siege of Stephen’s Green. It would appear that the facts of this case are still quite disputed to this day but writer Ann Matthews has consulted the Bureau of Military Witness Statements, The DMP and Special Branch Files and the War Office Files amongst other sources so whatever your opinion of her guilt you can rest assured that we are getting a very accurate account of the case if not the full facts.

Told to the audience by Markievicz as she sits in court awaiting her fate, various witnesses pass through and are questioned about the events of that day. With all aspects of Irish society piping into give an opinion you get a sense of just how complex a character the countess was. Played here by Barbara Dempsey she does indeed convey Markievicz’s stubbornness and strength but we see very little of the charisma that other witnesses speak about, this makes for a rather unlikeable and cold character. This may well be the intention – she is after all on trial for cold blooded murder – but I couldn’t help but feel that there were several layers missing from this performance.

The supporting cast all do a good job and have decent roles to get their teeth into. Andrea Kelly and Amy O’Dwyer in particular double up on roles and should be commended for creating two extremely different characters despite the restrictive setting of the witness box which prevents huge physicality.

The whole thing is high drama but this is difficult to maintain and this play could benefit slightly from a few more dips and quieter moments. It is not that it isn’t enjoyable but other than the testimony of a young nurse played by Síofra O’Meara everyone else’s dialogue is very much played at a peak meaning there is not a lot of contrast to allow you to process what you have witnessed. Allowing for the fact that I saw this a couple of nights into the run these are issues that may be addressed as the play tours and the actors settle into the roles.

This won’t change anyone’s opinion of Markievicz and you won’t learn much about her that you probably didn’t already know but it entertains on the whole. It is just slightly too intense throughout.