Ann Blake returns successful play to the Limerick stage

LIMERICK playwright Ann Blake is bringing her critically acclaimed show, The Morning after the Life Before, back to her hometown. 

The show returns to Dolan’s Warehouse this Thursday in time for Pride Limerick.

The award-winning play is centred around a woman’s experience in a new Ireland following the marriage equality referendum of 2015.

Written and performed by Ann, the show sold out one of its previous appearances in Limerick in 2019.

The play begins on a groggy Sunday morning, May 24, 2015, and 62% of Ireland is #hungoverforequality, Ann gets a text from her brother: “How’s the morning after the life before?” To answer this question, Ann brings the audience on a personal journey of experiences from life in Ireland before and after the marriage equality referendum.

Pride festival begins in Limerick city

“It’s a heart-warming show that celebrates difference, while at the same time reminding us of what brings us together” Ann told the Limerick Leader.

The play has been met with success internationally, playing as far as Ontario, Canada, winning the best of fringe award at Montreal Fringe festival 2017, the best of fringe award at London Ontario Fringe 2017 and receiving an LGBTQ+ Award Nomination at Brighton Fringe 2018.

In 2015, Ireland became the first country in the world to legalize gay marriage via popular vote, Ann wrote this play in response to the historical achievement.

This year’s pride is especially significant, as 2023 is the 30th anniversary of Ireland’s decriminalisation of homosexuality. “It’s really special to bring the show back home for Limerick Pride” said the Limerick native.