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Actress Geraldine Hughes, originally from West Belfast, has returned to the city to direct a play called Unreconciled, which delves into the topic of abuse within the Catholic Church. The play, written and performed by Jay Sefton, follows the story of a teenage actor who portrays Jesus in a school play directed by a parish priest. It also explores his journey to come forward as a survivor of sexual abuse and navigate a reparations program established by the Catholic Church.
Expressing her desire to bring “important stories” to Belfast, Hughes spoke fondly of her upbringing in west Belfast during the 1970s and 1980s before pursuing an acting career in the United States. Having worked with well-known Hollywood figures such as Sylvester Stallone, Clint Eastwood, and Richard Gere, Hughes highlighted her admiration for Sefton as a performer and storyteller, emphasizing the significance of their collaboration on Unreconciled.
Set in the Catholic suburbs of Philadelphia in the 1980s, Unreconciled draws from Sefton’s personal experience with a victims’ compensation fund established by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Collaborating with co-writer Mark Basquill, Sefton’s story focuses on pivotal moments in his life, particularly his casting as Jesus at age 13 and later involvement in the compensation fund at age 47. Inspired by Hughes’ solo play, Belfast Blues, Sefton showcases his versatility by portraying about 12 different characters in Unreconciled.
Seeking to shed light on the prevalent issue of sexual abuse, Sefton aims for audiences to leave the play with a deeper understanding and connection to such experiences. With humor, joy, and hope woven throughout the narrative, both Sefton and Hughes aspire for viewers to reflect on their own stories, find courage in sharing them, and ultimately embrace hope despite challenging circumstances
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