Impeccable performances and a story that both grips and unsettles take centre stage in Our Brothers in Cloth, from director Ryan McVeigh and playwright Ronan Colfer. The Assembly Studios hosts this searing examination of how insidious clerical abuse tears apart a small rural Irish community, led by a powerful performance from Jake Douglas.
Left reeling from the death of his brother, Alan (Douglas) has turned to heavy drinking and lost all sense of purpose. While his mother quietly carries on, seeking solace in the arms of the Church and in memories of the former priest, Father Mulvaney, Alan struggles to do the same. Rumours begin to swirl through the parish about Mulvaney’s past behaviour, unravelling the fabric of this tight-knit community as Alan searches for truth and justice.
Colfer’s script is impressively constructed, gradually revealing its narrative in a tense, uneasy fashion that blends scandal, small-town politics, and deep-rooted family trauma. What first seems like a simple birthday gathering shadowed by grief soon spirals into a devastating reckoning, as a long-buried secret comes to light, shaking Alan’s relationship with the Church to its core. He begins to revisit past events through this uncomfortable new lens, hoping to share the truth with those around him. But Our Brothers in Cloth captures the chilling silence and blind obedience that have enabled such abuse of power for generations.
Inventively staged with church pews surrounding the playing space, the five-piece cast weave in and out of the action, each performer lending gravitas and presence. Traditional Irish music helps evoke the rural setting of Bunderr, while lighting and sound cues are executed with precision, enhancing the atmosphere without ever overwhelming it.
Jake Douglas, in the lead role, particularly impresses. His portrayal of Alan’s emotional turmoil – caught between disbelief, fury, and the need for resolution – is striking. As he confronts a mother who remains fiercely loyal to Mulvaney and the village’s new priest, Douglas finds a balance between fiery conviction and quiet devastation, capturing the depth of a man shattered by loss and betrayal.
A glimmer of hope emerges through a romantic subplot between Alan and an old flame, offering a possible escape from the darkness of Bunderr. This tender element instils a sense of optimism amidst the tragedy, and we find ourselves willing Alan towards some form of healing – and justice.
Marking twenty years since The Ferns Report, Ireland’s first official investigation into clerical abuse, Our Brothers in Cloth is presented in partnership with The Survivors Trust and Nexus NI. It is a sobering, timely piece of theatre that honours survivors by telling their story with honesty, care, and conviction.
Our Brothers in Cloth runs until August 25 at Assembly George Square Studios. Tickets are available here.
