Natural History of Hope was a four-year inter-generational project between Rialto Youth Project and artist Fiona Whelan, exploring contemporary equality issues for women and girls living and working in Rialto. This longitudinal enquiry drew on the strong relationships between the organisation and generations of females living locally. It built on the approach taken and learning gained from the ‘What’s the Story?’ project (2004-7) and as such, was built upon a large collection of personal anonymous stories. (Natural History of Hope core group were Rialto Youth Project staff; Dannielle McKenna, Sharon Cooney, Nichola Mooney, Michelle Dunne, Gillian O Connor and artist; Fiona Whelan.)
“an extraordinary piece of theatre… full of surprises, self-awareness, raw honesty, striking visuals and deep humour… one of the most powerful nights in a theatre I’ve ever experienced. It’s not a play, it’s real life.”
~ Abie Philbin Bowman, Writer, Comedian and Reporter on RTE Radio 1’s Arena, May 2016
Find out more at www.fionawhelan.com