THÉRÈSE
by Louise Lewis

A powerful, cathartic and deeply human story of grief, resilience and survival. 

1989 

Army tanks roll into a rundown estate in West Dublin. On a hill overlooking the battle stands a child. She is 10 years old. Her name is Thérèse.

2026
A children's playground in a city park in middle class Dublin. Three women watch the children in their care. This ‘accidental chorus’ gathers to hold one of their own.

Thérèse, a daily visitor to the park with her two young children is in the throes of grief after the unexpected death of her brother. Her grief acts as a portal to old wounds. Past injustices. The injustice of his dying so young. The injustice of his life cut short after escaping the trauma of West Dublin in the throes of the drug wars of the 1980s.

Thérèse is a modern-day epic, set in contemporary Dublin, inspired by the form and function of Greek tragedy. Thérèse is about class, gender, motherhood, and grief. If Greek tragedy gave voice to the powerful, then Thérèse gives voice to the dispossessed. The forgotten. The good citizens who battled to make good lives in the midst of social chaos. Anti-social behaviour. The war. 

Thérèse is about the negative impact of social deprivation on young lives. It is a roar seeking accountability from those in power. The Gods. It is an homage to those who have been lost. And it is a complex exploration of the impact of generational social inequity. 

Premiered September 2026 at Project Cube as part of Dublin Fringe Festival.

Produced in association with Draíocht Blanchardstown. Funded by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon.

“Aoibhe Beaumont-Walsh, Amy Conroy, Louise Lewis and Orla Fitzgerald…move crisply between characters and perspectives, often transforming a scene with only a subtle change in voice or physicality. Their performances are natural and assured, avoiding unnecessary theatricality even when the writing moves into more heightened territory.”

- No More Workhorse [read full review here]

“Louise Lewis and Veronica Coburn present a women-led masterful exploration of memory, trauma, and Dublin’s history.”

- University Times [read full review here]

Photos by Evanna Devine

Written by
Louise Lewis

Directed by
Veronica Coburn

Presented by
Once Off Productions, in association with Draíocht Blanchardstown

AVAILABLE TO TOUR

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

PAST PERFORMANCE DATES
5 - 12 September 2026 at the Project Arts Centre as part of Dublin Fringe Festival

Performers
Aoibhe Beaumont-Walsh, Amy Conroy, Orla Fitzgerald and Louise Lewis

Set and Costume Designer
Deirdre Dwyer

Lighting Designer
Suzie Cummins

Sound Designer
Sinéad Diskin

Producer
Maura O’Keeffe

Line Producer
Bernie Bourke

Image Credit
Patricio Cassinoni