On Tuesday, 27 May, MoLI was proud to host the launch of What We’re Made Of, a groundbreaking anthology of writing emerging from The Factory on the Royal Canal project, which took place over a year in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin. Launched by broadcaster Ray D’Arcy with moving performances by contributing writers and actor Nellie Conroy, the event highlighted the transformative power and creative potential of the project.
The project was inspired by the Theatre of the Oppressed, a participatory theatre practice, and facilitated by Senator Lynn Ruane and theatre maker Grace Dyas. Men in prison explored power through role plays of oppression, where the audience can volunteer to change the story. Over time, the men empowered themselves to become writers, actors, set designers and directors, ultimately staging two original plays: Prison Rules and Pedro’s Dream. The performances of these plays took place in front of an invited audience of 150 people, among them some of the highest-ranking decision makers and advocates in Ireland, as well as the men’s families.
The publication launched this week, What We’re Made Of, puts you in the room with the men on that day and includes reflections from the men (under the pen name of Pedro), their families and the audience. The book concludes with an inspiring manifesto and a guide on how it can be used to create change in youth, justice and community settings.
