Síofra O’Meara + Sinéad Gallagher present..
Linda and Patrick are met with an unwanted visitor. An unspeakable affliction.
Squirm, groan, and empathise – if you can – with these two deeply flawed characters. Watch as fate, misunderstandings, ego and an unmentionable ailment force them together, all the while destroying any possibility of shared happiness. A careful blend of comedy and catastrophe.
We’ve all had relationships like this…haven’t we?
✨ Join us after the show on Thursday March 21st for a 30-min post-show discussion with Blister Director Simon Geaney, Writer/Performer Síofra O Meara and Sexual Health Educator Ellen Corby. We’ll be having a chat about sexual health, navigating the unfair stigma that surrounds it, and challenging society to approach sex and sexuality in a positive way through the arts. This will be followed by a Q&A, and we’d love to see you there! ✨
Accessibility
If you require assistance for your visit, please do not hesitate to contact us at access@projectartscentre.ie or call 01 8819 613. You can find the latest information about Project’s accessibility here.
Biographies
Siofra O’Meara – Linda + Writer
Siofra has most recently been seen in HAND OF GOD (Dublin Fringe, Solas Nua Award Nomination), Blister (Dublin Fringe, Nominated for Bewleys Little Gem Award and First Fortnight Award) which she also wrote, Wishful Thinking (Dublin Fringe the New Theatre), ALAY NAOV in Project Arts Centre, Tissue in the Samuel Beckett, GO HOME (Short Film, which she also wrote and was nominated for best performance at the Richard Harris Film Festival) and Efficacy84 in Smock Alley (Nominated for best performance in Dublin Fringe).
Simon Geaney- Director
Simon is a director, actor and writer based in Dublin with a BA in Drama and Theatre Studies from Trinity College. Recent directing credits include Blister (Dublin Fringe), Ice-cream Trucks + Ambulances (Independent Film), SWEETIE (STOA collective), Tissue (The Samuel Beckett Theatre), The House by the Sea and 6E (Trinity College Players). He also spent 2020 working off-Broadway as a production assistant for the Irish Repertory Theatre.
Eddie Murphy – Patrick
Edward is an actor originally from Kilkenny and based out of Dublin, Ireland. Graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology Drama & Performance course and of Bow Street Academy for Screen Acting, Eddie has been regularly involved in Theatre and Screen work. Screen roles range from playing a dirty rotten Viking in History Channels “Vikings” to a dirty rotten Scottish highlander in Starz’ “Reign” as well as working with Jim Sheridan on his Feature “The Secret Scripture”. He has worked extensively with Devious Theatre over the years with notable performances as Austin DeCourcey in their hit “The Hellfire Squad” and Survivor in “Some Flood” before making his Abbey stage debut in “The Fall of the Second Republic” for the Corn Exchange theatre company.
Eric Fitzgerald- Sound Design
Eric is a Dublin based Sound Designer, Music Producer and Engineer, Radio Host and Record Label Owner. He is a graduate of BIMM, having studied Audio Engineering there. He has worked with many Artists both from Ireland and abroad such as Acid Granny, N I T E F I S H, Julie Louise Knifefist and also releasing his own music under the name ‘qwasi’.He has also been hosting a show on Dublin Dublin Radio for 6 years now which primarily focuses on homegrown talent. He helps run the independent record label ‘Bad Soup Records’ and recently set up his own label ‘Ecstatic Intervals’ which primarily focuses on Electronic Music.
Mae Leahy- Costume
Mae is a designer and director based in Dublin. She graduated from Trinity College with a degree in Drama and Theatre Studies in 2021. She is a founding member of Gift Horse theatre and Broad Strokes improv. Recent costume design work includes Good Sex (Dead Centre) Dubliners (Corn Exchange), Happy Birthday Dear Alice (Four Rivers), PRISM, in collaboration with Waterford Spraoi and Faoin Spéir, Blackbird, The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Four Rivers), War and Peace, Twelfth Night and Tess (Gift Horse Theatre). In 2022 Mae directed Children as part of Scene and Heard.
Jess Fitzsimons Kane – Set Designer
Jess is a recent graduate of Drama and Theatre Studies from Trinity College Dublin. She works in a variety of disciplines and was Technical Manager from 2019-2020 of Dublin University Players. Her set design credits include Blister (Dublin Fringe Festival, 2022) Strange Days (Gaiety School of Acting, 2022), abagofspiders! (Samuel Beckett Theatre, 2020), & Boom (SBT, 2020).
Shane Gill – Lighting Designer
Shane Gill is a freelance lighting designer based in London.Recent design credits include Frigid (Dublin Fringe), Blister (Dublin Fringe), Losing Your Body,Viva Voce (Dublin Fringe Festival), The Shaughraun(Smock Alley Theatre), Bump(Edinburgh Fringe Festival), Test Dummy, Electric, Lyrics (Theatre Upstairs), I See You, The Fetch Wilson(Corps Ensemble) and Disco Pigs & Sucking Dublin(Reality:check productions).
Sinéad Gallagher – Producer
Sinéad Gallagher is a creative producer and co-artistic director of Philomena Productions, based between Cork & Dublin. Recent credits include An Sean Duine Óg (Graffiti Theatre Company), The Perfect Immigrant, and in heat (Philomena Productions at Dublin Fringe Festival).
Niamh O’ Farrell-Tyler – Stage Manager
Niamh is a freelance stage manager, tech, and actor based in Dublin, recently graduated from Drama and Theatre Studies in Trinity College Dublin. Previous productions worked on in various capacities include Krapps’ Last Tape (Landmark Productions), How To Fall Flat on Your Face (Project Arts Centre), and Shauna Carrick Wants A Dog (Dublin Fringe Festival).
Press
“Blister lends credence to the thesis that the best things come in small packages.” “it packs a serious punch.”
“O’Meara’s insightful and sharp writing illuminates the impact of anxiety through careful and genuinely funny representation.” “in these characters les the opportunity to see the most vulnerable parts of oneself.”
“O’Meara and Murphy give skilful performances that, coupled with Simon Geaney’s solid directorial hand, create a delightfully strange world that draws the audience in.”
“A skillful writer and enthralling performer, O’Meara is certainly one to watch.” **** – The Irish Times Ciara L Murphy
“In Síofra O Meara’s bittersweet Blister, the worst disease in any relationship proves not to be an STD, but a failure to honestly communicate.”
“Under Simon Geaney’s impressive direction, Blister is crafted into a beautifully judged production.”
“Geaney maximises the elegance of the minimum to realise beauty in its simplicity.”
“Heavy yet light, and delightfully brought together, Blister is one of those enjoyable shows that makes a statement for all involved. It says watch this space, for there’s serious talent at work here. Particularly Geaney, Murphy and O’Meara.” ****- The Arts Review Chris O Rourke
“The play is a comedy. And it’s as hilarious as it’s thought-provoking, as dark as it’s intelligent. And overall a bit of a triumph.”
“O’Meara piles social dilemma on social dilemma in a kaleidoscope of nearly helpless hilarity at a situation that is of course almost tragic at its core.” The Independent
Funding
DFF, Fringe Lab, Scene & Heard
Disclaimer
Strong Language, Flashing lights, Mental Illness, Abuse, Sexual References, Age rating 16+