
eclipsed
the story of the Magdalene Laundries
Ireland, 1920-1996.
From the 1920s through 1996, Ireland's Magdalene Laundries imprisoned over 30,000 women deemed "fallen" by society. Stripped of their human rights and forced into unpaid labor, these women endured physical and emotional abuse while the outside world looked away. Through Patricia Burke Brogan's groundbreaking drama—written after the playwright witnessed these horrors as a young novitiate—IVP brings to light the stories of four women who fought to preserve their humanity within institutional cruelty. Despite being discarded by society, they maintained hope through songs, stories, and dreams of freedom, revealing the unbreakable power of human connection even in the darkest circumstances.
Produced by Infinite Variety Productions
Written by Patricia Burke Brogan
Subject Matter: dark humor, religion, Irish drama
community response
Eclipsed established IVP's foundational commitment to partnering with advocacy organizations and survivors' communities. The production received crucial support from Justice for the Magdalenes, the Adoption Rights Alliance, and SNAP (Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests), demonstrating how theatre can amplify ongoing fights for justice and recognition.
IVP's performance at the SNAP convention marked a pivotal moment in the company's evolution, establishing the model of bringing theatre directly to communities affected by the stories being told. Post-show talk-backs featured Mari Steed, daughter of a Magdalene survivor and adoptee, creating powerful intergenerational dialogue about institutional abuse and its lasting impact on families.
The production has served as an educational tool for audiences learning about Ireland's institutional history while connecting these historical injustices to contemporary issues of women's rights and religious institutional accountability. Community members regularly express how the play's focus on resilience and human dignity helps them understand both historical trauma and the ongoing importance of bearing witness to survivors' experiences.
Production History
2012: The Tank Theatre, New York City. Directed by Bridget Leak. Stage managed by Carina Courtney Don. Featuring Ashley Adelman, Lindsay-Elizabeth Hand, Amy Losi, Maria Makenna, Christine Thomson, Ally Tufenkjian, Maria Viteri and Sandra Dianne Wilson.
2012: Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests convention in Washington, DC. Directed by Norma Medina. Stage managed by Carina Courtney Don. Featuring Ashley Adelman, Lindsay-Elizabeth Hand, Amy Losi, Maria Makenna, Ally Tufenkjian, Jessica Smith and Sandra Dianne Wilson.