Pea Dinneen: Raising Her Voice – Dublin Fringe Festival – Review
by Brian Merriman

Presented by Pea Dinneen & Once Off Productions

Performances – 6 Sept, 18:15 (preview), 7 Sept, 18:15, 11 – 14 Sept, 21:00, 13 Sept, 13:00
ISL Interpreted Performance – 12 Sept, 21:00

Venue – Project Arts Centre – Space Upstairs

This was my first encounter with Pea (one syllable) Dinneen. It won’t be my last. The Project upstairs was packed, and considering this show has a good run, it is quite a challenge for any artist to fill such a large venue. It will not be a problem, as this presentation engaged and entertained throughout with a multi-talented team.

Pea is an Irish trans woman. Pea is a breath of fresh air. Pea not only restores the trans story with integrity and truth, but it is the best riposte to that nasty world where transphobia which runs riot online.

This is no niche performance. Pea is as comfortable in a theatre as in the identity proudly proclaimed as a trans Irish woman. Pea is honest and addresses issues head-on. This is a big, unexpected voice. It is a baritone, and when the decibels are pushed, the intonation wobbles a little at times. But Pea can sing, and as the voice warms up, Pea belts out so many joyously original numbers with a panache and quality that matches every ambition you might have to see and experience an accomplished Diva on stage.

Trans stories are too recent in our theatrical repertoire. They have evolved bravely and rapidly, but Dinneen brings it all to a new level. This is real theatre. It stands up in any artistic genre. Raising Her Voice is a riveting performance and an eloquent story delivered flawlessly throughout the personally taxing performance.

We meet Pea, who first addresses her deep vocal register. Then we learn of schooldays, coming out, the National Gender Service, online encounters, feminism and self-realisation. Pea is no apologist. Pea meets us – we are ‘Ireland’ and in that intercultural dialogue, Pea understands, observes, educates, informs and connects. The humour is sharp and skilfully delivered.

Pea has a clear view of being a trans Irish woman and weaves us a web of our own experiences, like schooling, masculinity, marriage equality, Repeal the 8th and Gay Spar in a personal illumination that broadens our understanding of our own lives in Ireland. There isn’t a ‘victim’ on stage. There is an Irish person, complete, grounded in Ireland, and searingly honest.

Pea Dinneen can write. Pea, the actor, enunciates beautifully in a flawless delivery. The script is powerful, wonderfully funny, keenly observant and revealing not just about Pea but about all of us. The relatable original songs are backed by an engaged and talented four-piece band. The music and lyrics are pulsating, funny and emotional. They are great, as is the wonderful embracing of the Irish 90s hit C’est La Vie. Learn the lyrics before you go!

In Raising Her Voice, Pea is powerful, kind, and intelligent, but the construction of the script is poetic. It is beautifully written. Pea’s delivery never falters, and the songs will have you rocking in the aisles.

Trans voices have been repressed for centuries. They are buried today in an avalanche of online abuse. Pea emerges like a phoenix not only to tell the truth, but to present it in a beautifully staged and lit production.

What a performance. What a story, with a very strong score and a script where there isn’t a wasted word – not even the complexities of an Modh Coinníollach (Irish) remain unpacked! This was a theatrical joy that mainstreams long-silenced voices in Irish theatre. It reminds us of the artistic cost of exclusion on all of us.

Pea’s story fills a void with enormous theatricality, which can only make us lament that these voices have been absent for so long. Pea’s voice is not only raised, it resonates from an eloquent, intelligent artist and musician who has a lot to say and sing. It is all worth hearing. A theatrical illuminating joy in these disrespectful times!

Written by Pea Dinneen
Devised in collaboration with Paul Prior.

Directed by @johnnersk
Musical Direction & Arrangement by @pjp597
Lighting Design by @groaninngen
Movement Direction by @niamhy_mcg
Produced by @producedbycallyshine and Maura O’Keefe for Once Off Productions
Devised in collaboration with Paul Prior and Ronan Phelan

Supported by Axis Ballymun, Pavilion Theatre, Irish Theatre Institute and Fishamble’s New Play Clinic.
Co-commissioned by Project Arts Centre and Draíocht Blanchardstown.
Developed with the assistance of The Abbey Theatre, Amharclann Na Mainistreach.
Funded by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon.