Described as “An Opera… with a touch of drag!”, the award-winning show, Abomination: a DUP Opera, finally makes its long-anticipated Dublin debut. And we’ve got, not one but FIVE pairs of tickets to give away.
Composed by Belfast native Conor Mitchell, the show takes a new and ambitious approach to the divisive issue of LGBTQ+ rights in Northern Ireland.
The work evolved following comments by the former DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) MP Iris Robinson, during a live radio show in 2008, where she condemned homosexuality as “an abomination”.
Abomination, A DUP Opera, Abbey Theatre Dublin in March/ April. WE ARE EXCITED! Congrats @belfastensemble @conorcomposer and all the cast and musicians pic.twitter.com/tzDrg39lyx
— Outburst Arts (@OutburstArts) January 20, 2022
Collaborating with The Belfast Ensemble, Conor and the team have adapted many of the shocking homophobic comments, such as ‘poofs’ and ‘perverts’ spoken by members of the DUP during the heated public debate on marriage equality, and woven them into a modern-day masterpiece.
As Conor described, “For me, the words of Iris Robinson were a wake-up call about the power of language in this country. Words matter.”
#AbominationDUPOpera rehearsals have kicked off ?
After a sell-out run at @OutburstArts, don’t miss @conorcomposer’s modern political 21st century opera opening 24th March https://t.co/9H8MDD1SV1
? Neil Harrison pic.twitter.com/dgpeOFLyF7— Abbey Theatre (@AbbeyTheatre) March 10, 2022
And the opera demonstrates that power by putting hurtful comments front and centre in a space in which their power is transformed into humour. As well as Iris Robinson’s words, the performance also features homophobic and transphobic comments from other politicians, such as those of Ian Paisley, saying he was “pretty repulsed by gay and lesbianism.”
The show originally premiered to a sell-out audience as part of the 2019 Outburst Arts Festival in Belfast and has since gone on to win the 2020 Irish Times Theatre Award for Best Opera. And after receiving a five-star review from the Guardian, it promises to be one not to be missed.
Have you booked for ABOMINATION, A DUP OPERA? Tickets on sale for this thrilling new opera at @AbbeyTheatre and @LyricBelfast https://t.co/loxMmoYaVyhttps://t.co/xvhEZWdV6X pic.twitter.com/5eLkkWCU6U
— thebelfastensemble (@belfastensemble) February 28, 2022
To win tickets to see Abomination: a DUP opera in the Abbey Theatre, on Friday, March 25, simply answer the following question: What word did Iris Robinson use to describe homosexuality?
The competition closes on Wednesday, March 23, with winners to be announced the next day. Good luck!
This competition is now closed, please visit our Competitions page for more.
© 2022 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
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