In Plain Sight
by Noelle Brown

In Plain Sight, the powerful off-site theatre performance about the history of religious-led incarceration and the power of storytelling to heal deep wounds is now on tour.

In a delicate and compassionate exploration through story and song, performer/activist Noelle Brown and singer/architect Camille O'Sullivan question the links between inconvenient history and place, focussing on the church run and state approved Mother and Baby homes at Roscrea, Castlepollard and Bessborough.

The narrative incorporates reflections on original architecture, excerpts from government policy and correspondence from the archives of the religious orders who ran these buildings for over 70 years. Throughout these curated scenes, the show weaves original songs performed by Camille alongside re-enactments of Noelle's campaigning for Justice which continues as pressure mounts on the State to purchase the remaining 60 acres at the site of the former Mother and Baby Home at Bessborough Co Cork from developers. In Plain Sight is an urgent piece of activist theatre about where we are now. It interrogates how to advocate for accountability from those who perpetrated these human rights abuses for decades and how to honour the victims.

Directed by Veronica Coburn, with sound and original music by Denis Clohessy and lighting by Bill Woodland, In Plain Sight is a unique theatre event that is part town hall talks and part documentary theatre. It shines a light on community and nation, questioning who we are and how we can move forward while still grappling within the shadows of Church and State.

In Plain Sight premiered 8th July 2025 at Sacred Heart of Mary Convent, Roscrea.

Funded by the Arts Council | An Chomhairle Ealaíon. Development supported by The Source Arts Centre - Thurles, Riverbank Arts Centre - Newbridge, Pavilion Theatre - Dún Laoghaire, Axis Theatre - Ballymun and The Irish Theatre Institute.

★★★★

“A sharp and graceful new way to tell a difficult story and start vital conversations.

This, ultimately, is the achievement of In Plain Sight: not just finding new ways to present information or tell a difficult story, but making space for conversations that still haven’t happened.”

- The Irish Times [read full review here]

Photos by Leo Byrne

Written by
Noelle Brown

Directed by
Veronica Coburn

Presented by
Once Off Productions and NB Theatre

UPCOMING PERFORMANCE DATES

Ireland Tour Dates 2026

21 – 23 October at The Pillar Room, Dublin – Book tickets at Dublin Municipal Theatre @ Smock Alley

27 – 29 October at SETU Chapel, Waterford – Book tickets at Theatre Royal

4 November at The Town Hall, Newbridge – Book Tickets at Riverbank Arts Centre

10 – 11 November at An Grianán Hotel – Book Tickets at An Grianán Theatre Letterkenny

13 – 14 November Castle Varagh, Hotel Castlepollard – Book Tickets at Backstage Theatre Longford

26 – 28 November Honan Chapel Griffith College, Cork – Book tickets at The Everyman

AVAILABLE TO TOUR

For touring details contact producer Maura O’Keeffe at maura@onceoffproductions.com

PAST PERFORMANCE DATES
8 - 12 July 2025 at The Sacred Heart of Mary Convent in Roscrea

IRELAND TOUR CAST & CREATIVE TEAM

Performed by
Noelle Brown & Camille O’Sullivan

Sound Design by
Denis Clohessy

Lighting Design by
Bill Woodland

Stage Management by
Clare Howe and Sarah Mooney

Associate Lighting Designer
Tiana Kokalj

Production Manager
Brendan McLoughlin, Showscope

Technical Manager
Mark Fennell, Showscope

Producer
Maura O’Keeffe

Line Producer
Bernie Bourke

Image Credit
Leo Byrne

ORIGINAL CAST & CREATIVE TEAM