A Day in May – A Play Inspired by Charlie Bird’s Book

Pat Moylan Productions and Pavilion Theatre in association with A Day in May Trust present

A Day in May

An uplifting documentary play based on Charlie Bird’s book about the 2015 Marriage Equality Referendum

Written by Colin Murphy

Based on the book by Charlie Bird

Directed by Gerard Stembridge 

 Wed 26 – Sat 29 October 2022

Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire | Book Now

Preview: Wed 26 Oct, 8pm | €22

Thu 27 – Sat 29 Oct, 8pm | €27

Matinée: Sat 29 Oct, 2.30pm | €22

On 23 May 2015, the people of Ireland made history by becoming the first nation in the world to introduce marriage equality by popular vote. Of the almost 2 million Irish people that went to the polls to cast their vote, a staggering 62% of people voted yes. As the historic vote was declared, the joyous scenes from Dublin Castle and across Ireland made headlines around the world.

Charlie Bird, inspired by the extraordinary ‘Yes Equality’ campaign, travelled the length and breadth of Ireland to meet some of the people most deeply affected by the referendum result. In his book A Day In May their stories of living in the shadow of inequality and oppression were brought to life in a poignant record of their lives.

From these stories playwright Colin Murphy (Haughey/Gregory, Bailed Out!) has created an astonishing piece of documentary theatre charting the 35-year-old struggle for equality for the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland, which culminated in the Marriage Equality Referendum. Directed by Gerard Stembridge, the theatrical version of A Day In May is an often-hilarious emotional rollercoaster, as the political drama is interwoven with the true stories of ordinary Irish gay people, their families and friends.

The cast will include Orla Fitzgerald, Conor Gormally, Anthony Kinahan, Mary Murray, Marion O’Dwyer, Mark O’Regan, Arthur Riordan and Sarah-Jane Scott.

Now booking at paviliontheatre.ie/events/view/adayinmay or (01) 231 2929

Charlie Bird said “When an email dropped into my inbox saying that A Day in May would be coming back to the stage, I was overcome with joy. Since my diagnosis, I have had a burning desire to see this incredible production revived. My involvement in the marriage equality referendum – and the subsequent book and play that resulted – is one of my proudest achievements.”

“A powerful play about a triumph of civil and human rights… A play that everyone in Ireland should have gone to see… Brilliant” – Sunday Independent

“You’re guaranteed laughter, tears, and waves of that unnamable collective feeling we had on May 24, 2015, once more.” – Gay Community News

Supporting Pieta and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association