Introduction Notes & Credits
Abomination, A DUP Opera Context Notes
If you have limited knowledge of the political context in Northern Ireland, these notes may be useful to read before you watch the opera.
THE DUP
Founded in 1971, The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is one of the two main political parties in Northern Ireland. Their party leader, Arlene Foster, is our current First Minister. The DUP evolved from the Protestant Unionist Party and has historically strong links to the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, a church founded by Rev. Ian Paisley who very vocally opposed same sex relationships. Rev. Paisley led the Save Ulster from Sodomy campaign in 1977 to oppose the decriminalisation of homosexuality, which was not achieved in Northern Ireland until 1982. Over the years, many prominent members of the DUP have made public comments in parliament and in media interviews condemning same sex relationships and gay “lifestyles”. Nearly all opposed equal rights legislation for LGBTQI+ people. While the official line of the DUP has become less fundamentalist in tone in recent years (they stood an openly lesbian candidate in the last election), there has been no official policy shift from opposition to LGBTQI+ relationships and rights. This week, in March 2020, DUP councillor John Carson tweeted that the coronavirus was God’s punishment for the introduction of abortion rights and same sex marriage. The DUP distanced themselves from his comments, saying it was his own opinion and not that of the party. He later tweeted an apology, then deleted it.
ABOMINATION, A DUP OPERA: LIBRETTO The opera’s libretto, or text, is composed entirely of verbatim quotes in the public realm from members of the DUP, past and present, on LGBTQI+ issues and lives. The central story focuses on former DUP Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Iris Robinson. Robinson served as the Northern Ireland Health Spokesperson and was also the wife of former First Minister, Peter Robinson. She self-describes as a born-again Christian. On June 6th 2008, Mrs. Robinson spoke on BBC Radio Ulster’s The Stephen Nolan Show, the day after her husband became DUP leader and Northern Ireland’s First Minister. Calling from her phone, Robinson told Nolan that homosexuality was an "abomination" that made her “sick” and “nauseous”, and that with psychiatric help, gay people could be "turned around". Her comments were made in the same week that a gay man, Stephen Scott, had been badly beaten in a homophobic attack in Newtownabbey, just north of Belfast. There was a public outcry and by late July 2008, 11,000 people had signed a petition “calling on British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to reprimand DUP MP Iris Robinson over her controversial remarks about homosexuality". In January 2010, it was revealed on Spotlight, a BBC NI current affairs programme, that Iris Robinson had been having a sexual affair with 19 year-old Kirk McCambley, the son of a family friend who she had created business opportunities for through her influence with local council. Robinson reportedly received "acute psychiatric treatment" and was under 24-hour suicide watch following the revelations. Her intention to retire from elected office was announced on 11 January 2010 and she resigned on 13 January 2010.
CREATIVE TEAM
DANCE
Music & Libretto Conor Mitchell Conductor Tom Brady Video Conan McIvor Lights Mary Tumelty Director/Designer Conor Mitchell
Dance choreographed and performed by Richard Chappell Angel wings designed and constructed by Tracey Lindsay
CAST Iris Robinson Rebecca Caine Stephen Nolan Tony Flynn Mezzo Soprano Dawn Burns Baritones Matthew Cavan Christopher Cull Tenor John Porter CHORUS James Cooper Tara Greene, Helenna Howie Caolan Keaveney ORCHESTRA Andrew Douglas Eleanor Tinlin Kevin Lawless Gavin Forde Martin Wall Anthony Stuart Keith McAlister Rhian Hanson Clare Hadwen William ‘Scott’ Lowry Aoife Magee Elias Rooney Gareth Hopkins
TECHNICAL TEAM Sound Design Ian Vennard Stage Management Tracey Lindsay Sound Matt Rice MARKETING DESIGN Ruth McCarthy FILM PRODUCTION Director Nicky Larkin Sound Terry Grew Director of Photography Jennifer Atcheson PRODUCERS Producer for Outburst Arts Ruth McCarthy Producers for Belfast Ensemble Conor Mitchell Abigail McGibbon Aoife Magee Simon Bird Original production supported by
Performed at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast, November 2019 as part of Outburst Queer Arts Festival.
