INTERVIEW: New Irish play ‘Appropriate’ finds Sorcha facing a wedding crossroads
Photo: Sarah-Jane Scott wrote and stars in Appropriate, an exploration of one woman’s journey into Irish wedding culture. Photo courtesy of the artist / Provided by press rep with permission.
The new one-woman play Appropriate, written by and starring Sarah-Jane Scott, takes a close look at different societal and cultural norms in the western part of Ireland. In particular, this monologue show explores the theme of weddings and the expectations that surround this momentous occasion in one’s life.
Scott portrays the character of Sorcha, who, according to press notes, is the “queen bee” of her small Irish town and is preparing to get married to the local hurling hero, Marty. On the surface, the pending nuptials are everything that Sorcha has wanted in life; she has truly been dreaming of this big day ever since she was a little girl.
But, if everything is supposed to be positive at this special time, why does she have a nagging feeling that she’s making a mistake? Why might this not be the beginning of a “perfectly planned” life? Has she truly made the decisions for her own well-being or because of some societal expectation?
The questions that come to Sorcha are what make Appropriate such an interesting and engaging night of theater. The play is set to run at the Origin Theatre Company’s 1st Irish Festival. Its run in New York City, from Jan. 27 to Feb. 1 at the New York Irish Center in Long Island City, follows an award-winning run at both the Dublin and Edinburgh fringe festivals.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Scott about her new show, which is directed by Paul Meade and comes to the Big Apple courtesy of Gúna Nua Theatre Company. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What inspired you to write Appropriate?
A move home to the west of Ireland after spending my 20s in London got me thinking about how your environment can really shape your goals. I started exploring this in regards to the Irish obsession with weddings, the common want to be settled down and sorted by your 30s and the idea that if you hadn’t, something may have gone wrong. I wanted to approach it from the point of view of someone that has always wanted a marriage, mortgage and babies; a woman who has ticked all the boxes and is living a very ‘appropriate’ life — what would have to happen for her to really question it all, and if she did … how free is she to change her mind?
The main character of Sorcha loves weddings and has quite the experience involving her own ceremony. Why was it important to address wedding culture with this character?
I’m intrigued by Irish weddings, as although I’ve been at and enjoyed many of them, I’m an Irish woman who has never dreamed of her big day in white. Despite this, I love listening to groups of Irish women chatting about all the details and rules that go into the planning of it all and the commentaries about what people personally want over what other people have chosen. It’s like it all has it’s own language that I find hilarious — I had a howl researching Appropriate. Weddings can also put people under huge pressure and stress, so as I was writing it I was also wondering what it was all really about. If you have never been to an Irish wedding, you should make an Irish pal right now, and nab yourself an invite. They are days of joy, wonder, intense social anxiety and pure madness that inspire the best and worst behaviour in people (along with much jiving and an ACDC megamix).
Was it always your intention to act in the one-person play as well?
Yes, I have always wanted to, and I am so excited to be performing it in New York at the 1st Irish Festival with the brilliant Gúna Nua Theatre. I was incredibly lucky to have been picked to take part in Show In A Bag, which was an initiative of Fishamble: The New Play Company, Dublin Fringe and Irish Theatre Institute, which helped me make the show back in 2018. Their support has literally been career changing, and Appropriate would not have gotten this far without them.
Would you call Sorcha a feminist?
Yes, I would, though I think she is only at the beginning of understanding that side of herself and thinking for the first time about her place in her community as a woman and potentially a single woman, in her 30s living in a traditional place and what her choices really are. We may be witnessing her feminist awakening during the show!
Do you feel the play offers commentary on issues impacting modern-day Ireland?
Yes, definitely. It feels like we have come long way in regards to women’s roles, but we are still very far from proper equality — in the home as well as in the workplace. Appropriate is exploring the effects that the expectations of Sorcha’s environment have had on her and that she has put on herself, societal expectations that have been there since she was a little girl even though she hasn’t been aware of them. Appropriate also explores the place of tradition in modern Ireland, and it’s something that as a writer I am really interested in. The country has changed so much in the last few years, so I think they can battle against each other.
How do you think Instagram culture and social media have changed the image of women and weddings?
There is so much pressure for us all to be seen living like our best selves with super positive successful lives every day because of social media, which is something other generations didn’t have to deal with in the same way; so I imagine it has definitely added to the stress and the pressure of having a perfect wedding and for women to look like the perfect bride, too. Everyone wants to look well on their big day, which is one thing when thinking about being the centre of attention for your guests and the wedding album, but if anyone you have ever met can see a picture of you getting married online and comment on it, it’s another thing entirely and may add a whole new level of pressure.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Appropriate, written by and starring Sarah-Jane Scott, plays Jan. 27 through Feb. 1 at Origin Theatre Company’s 1st Irish Festival. Performances take place at the New York Irish Center in Long Island City. Click here for more information and tickets.
