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ED2012 2/5 Reviews ED2012 Theatre Reviews
Cleansed (Rummage Theatre / A LEAP Theatre Project)
By Sarah Macartney | Published on Friday 31 August 2012
Chronicling four women’s experiences at a Magdalene laundry – an institute for “fallen women” or single mothers – this new play looks at a tragic part of history which needs telling. Sadly the script, partly based on real life stories, did not do Cleansed’s powerful subject matter justice. Though following the different characters through their time before, at and after the laundries is interesting, it was also confusing. The three performers tended to overact, with the result that even these true stories seemed melodramatic, although they were at their strongest in moments of tension, such as when Mother Bridget submerges Catherine. It’s an extremely difficult topic to tackle, and these young actresses gave the appearance of being slightly in over their heads.
theSpace on North Bridge, 2-25 Aug, 3.30pm.
tw rating 2/5 | [Sarah Macartney]
