The Pull of the Stars – Gate Theatre – Review
by Brian Merriman

The Pull of the Stars – Produced by Gate Theatre
Written by Emma Donoghue – Directed by Louise Lowe
Duration 105 minutes approx, no interval

Photo: Ros Kavanagh

Ireland produces great women writers and novelists. Few venture into theatre. Oscar nominee Emma Donoghue is an exception. She emerged first as a playwright, then a novelist and screenwriter and in this production, makes a comfortable return to the stage, in one of the best pieces of new Irish theatre for some time.

“The Pull of the Stars, deftly and deeply directed by Louise Lowe, draws together an Irish creative team and cast who testify to the care and confidence of The Gate in mounting this quality dramatic production.

We are mid the Spanish flu’ a century ago in Ireland. It is lethal and cruel. We are in a Maternity Hospital where the virus adds to the lethal roulette that faced women in childbirth and their infants who fought for survival.  The drama centres around a beautifully played ‘Nurse Julia Power’ (Sarah Morris) and her dedication to and courage in the safe delivery of Mother and Baby. Morris has all the stage qualities to captivate us throughout the drama in a tour de force performance.

The historical and medical research is first class. The on-stage portrayal of the delivery room awes.  We are brought back to the time and facilities in post-1916 Dublin. The care and precision in the birthing scenes are so impressive and are at times heart-stopping.

Alyson Cummins’ set and properties, well lit by Sinead Wallace, are atmospheric and brave, as so much furniture is on wheels on a raked stage. The cast manages this with skilful ease.

There is a stellar cast of seven that not only relate the class differences of the times but also the strong sense of history and solidarity that often united women in their social struggles. It is great to see the heroic story of Ireland’s first lesbian TD, ‘Dr Kathleen Lynn’ on stage. Maeve Fitzgerald’s statuesque and studied Lynn is the historical heartbeat of these times. Her care, her revolution and her calm, authoritative presence are a joy.

Donoghue has drawn seven characters of contrast with patients ‘Mary Tierney’, a lovely study by Ciara Byrne as a naïve 18 year-old first time Mother to be and the sharp, upper-class ‘Della Garrett’, a skillfully tuned performance by India Mullen. She draws laughter, scorn and empathy in equal measure.

Ghaliah Conroy as ‘Bridget Sweeney’ leaves her on-screen work to debut on The Gate stage. It is a wise decision. Her conveying of life in the Laundry is heart-wrenching, as is her openness to truth and love. Ruth McCabe is no stranger to Nun roles and as ‘Sister Luke’ she once again brings layers of the woman behind the veil to the job.

Revelation of the evening was Una Kavanagh’s distressing playing of the Laundry woman ‘Honor Noonan’. You cannot leave the theatre without her lot on your mind.

Donoghue is a master of intertwining social stories by creating complete and courageous female characters. She generously constructs each with enough scope to tell their truth. She does so with such dramatic impact.

There is love, loss, emotion, revolution, responsibility, challenge and courage throughout. As a man, I continue to learn from Donoghue’s work. Every woman will connect to these “magnificent seven” women who were such a real part of our common ancestry.

“The Pull of the Stars” has many stars on and off stage. It is a quality presentation by The Gate, of stories that still resonate 100 years later. It is a fitting and wonderful welcome back to the stage for Donoghue and we can only hope for more…much, much more.

Cast
Mary Tierney – Ciara Byrne
Bridie Sweeney – Ghaliah Conroy
Dr Kathleen Lynn – Maeve Fitzgerald
Honor Noonan – Úna Kavanagh
Sister Luke – Ruth McCabe
Julia Power – Sarah Morris
Della Garrett – India Mullen

Creatives
Director  – Louise Lowe
Assistant Director – Éadaoin Fox
Set Designer – Alyson Cummins
Costume Designer  – Joan O’Clery
Lighting Designer – Sinéad Wallace
Sound Designer and Composition  – Rob Moloney
Movement Director  – Sue Mythen
Vocal Coach – David Hayes
Accent and Dialect Coach  – Cathal Quinn
Design Placement (IADT)  – Lena Birgisdóttir

Crew
Stage Manager – Leanna Cuttle
Assistant Stage Manager – Niamh Williamson
Production Manager – Jim McConnell
Lighting Operator – Matt McGowan
Set Construction – TPS
Production Stage Technician – Vincent Doherty, Aidan Crowe, Jay Lambert, Tom Hogben –
Sound Technician – Paddy Creegan
Sound Engineer – Elise Molle
Cellist – Caitríona Finnegan
Costume Dresser – Dara Gill
Costume Maintenance – Sarah Higgins
Hair and Makeup Artist – Sarah McCann