Q&A with Siofra O’Meara – Blister – Project Arts Centre

We put some questions to Siofra O’Meara ahead of the opening of Blister at the Project Arts Centre this week. You can see the results below….

12-23 March 2024 – Blister
Tickets: €16/14 | Preview: €12 – Show Time: 7:45pm

What was the first play you saw that made you fall in love with theatre?

Ooooh… My parents brought me to see Footsbarn performing “The Tempest” in Dublin when I was probably around 10? They were touring, and it was performed out on Grand Canal Dock – the tent they had set up for the performance looked like it was levitating above the water (it was being held up by a floating platform I think). It was just so much fun. The actors were having fun – the audience was having fun. I was a child, but I still felt so engaged and excited by the work – the Shakespearian words themselves I definitely didn’t understand – but it made a lasting impression. I haven’t thought about that in a while actually. What a great show!

Can you tell our readers a little about Blister?

“Blister” is about Linda and Patrick and Herpes. Patrick is doing what we all do after a relationship has ended and looking back over the times he felt like he could’ve fixed it – or done something differently. Early on in Linda and Patrick’s relationship, one of them is diagnosed with the Herpes virus. I don’t want to give too much away about the play… But essentially it’s about two people thinking the worst thing that could ever happen to them is testing positive for Herpes. When really the worst thing that could ever happen to them is each other. It is a comedy though! It has its serious moments and some fun dramatic twists and turns. There’s a huge amount of foreshadowing – I’m a sucker for imagery and motifs. People who’ve seen it more than once have gotten a real kick out of noticing things – or lines the characters say that really inform the ending of the piece.

When did you first come up with the idea for this play?

When I went for an STD test and realized I knew nothing about Herpes – and what I did know was false.

How long did it take to go from your initial idea to opening night?

So I began writing “Blister” in 2019 – and it was pure slapstick. But then 2020 happened and one or two failed relationships and the first version just adapted with me. I felt like I had more to discuss with these characters (What does having Herpes mean to them?). And then in 2022 Dublin Fringe, it premiered! So the guts of 4 years. The longest it’s ever taken me to write anything and even at that – in the days leading up to our Fringe debut actor Eddie Murphy and director Simon Geaney basically came up with some essential and amazing plot points when I was stuck in the work. That and we had dramaturgical support from Gavin Kostick from Fishamble who is just amazing and a great friend. I’m working on a feature film right now and I love when everyone feels as though they can have a say in the new work and it can be a collaboration for even just a small part of the rehearsal or workshop process before I make final decisions. With new work particularly I think it’s great to have that playful time with the fellow creators you’re working with.

This was originally part of the Fringe Festival in 2022. Has it changed much since that time or is it the same play word for word?

It’s basically the same but with one very fun change at the very end of the piece.

Do you suffer from nerves on opening night?

Oh my god – totally. I hate waiting backstage; once I’m out there I’m fine and I feel safe and happy. But the waiting is a real killer for me. Doing Yoga and having little rituals help. Having a routine. But with this opening of “Blister” on the 13th of March, I’m mainly just really excited!

Are you still writing new work? Have you anything planned for the future?

Yes! I have a new play in the works which name can’t be shared just yet. And I am working on a feature film “Come and Be a Winner” for Keeper Productions and Deal Productions funded by Screen Ireland and a short film directed by Hiram Harrington called “Bean”.