Friday 8th – Saturday 9th March @ 7pm

Outburst Arts presents

Border Fairies

written & performed by Richard O’ Leary
directed by Phillip Johnston

A Catholic fairy escapes from 1980’s Cork to Belfast.
A 1920s Protestant with a Cork accent flees the Irish Free State for the freshly bordered North.
What buried stories bring two dislocated fairies together in life and in death?
Hiding out in “Bandit Country” of the borderlands, who is actually the bandit?

Excavating his own fascinating stories that shine a light on the troubled relationship between The Fairies and The State, master storyteller and “homoseanchaí”  Richard O’Leary brings us Border Fairies, a poignant and powerful one-man stage show that weaves his trademark storytelling theatre with hidden Irish histories.

Using surviving love letters, personal photos, unofficial papers and fascinating ephemera, this intimate, revealing and funny show reminds us that The Official Version never gives the whole story and that questions are often more interesting than answers.

“Eviscerating. So tender, so funny, critical viewing”
“Pure, sweet, heart breaking and wonderful”

Originally produced by Outburst Queer Arts Festival in 2021 to mark the centenary of the border in the north, Border Fairies is an insightful and moving stage performance that effortlessly brings the traditional art of the seanchaí bang up to date in the most delightful and accessible way around our often-erased LGBTQ+ histories.

Outburst Arts is Belfast’s award winning international queer arts organisation, producing and showcasing the best in cutting edge queer works across theatre, music, performance, film, visual art and literature.

Produced by Outburst Arts and supported by An Roinn Gnóthaí / Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund.

Duration: Approximately 70 mins.
No interval but the performance is relaxed
Age Guidance: 16 +

Tickets: €12
*Booking fees apply.