Pride of the Déise 2024: Madonna, Nostalgia, and Queer Resilience

Local poet Wayne Power is gearing up to unveil his latest creative endeavour, Dress You Up, a poignant play exploring queer identity set against the backdrop of 1997 Waterford with a Madonna soundtrack. In a recent interview, Power shared insights into the inspiration behind the play and the journey of bringing it to life on stage.

"I've always wanted to write a piece of theatre," Power reveals, reflecting on his move into playwriting and the inspiration behind the work. 

The play’s genesis dates back to 2022 when Power was inspired to create a theatrical narrative. 

"Write what you know," he says, echoing the age-old adage. 

Imbued with nostalgia for the '90s, a period Power holds dear, Dress You Up captures the essence of the era while tackling themes of grief, identity, and self-acceptance. 

"I have a great affinity for that period," Power explains. "It was a time of both queer liberation in Ireland as well as societal challenges, which provided a rich backdrop for Bobby's story."

The protagonist, Bobby Burke, portrayed by Charlie Maher, navigates the complexities of his sexuality in a society fraught with homophobia. 

"He grapples with his identity, as well as grief following the death of his mother and faces homophobic harassment from some people in the local community." 

Bobby's father, Mick (played by Jerry Lane), is not aware of his son’s sexuality and is "very much a man of that period, and grief-stricken, has not come to terms with the death of his wife, Bobby's mother.” While the plot shows the reality of dealing with harassment as an LGBTQ+ community member in the 90s, the story is not all doom and gloom. 

Bobby has his shining lights and support in his best friend Mandy (Evie Bourke) and his auntie Karen who is played by Greta Rochfort who makes her comeback to theatre in this production. His aunt, the only family member who fully knows Bobby and even bought him his first pair of heels. 

Of course, there is also the queer icon, Madonna, whose music provides solace and inspiration to the young protagonist as she did (and continues to do) for many.

When asked about the autobiographical elements in the play, Power (who is a huge Madonna fan himself) chuckles, "I don't have aspirations to be a Drag Queen... yet!"

Though he acknowledges the blurred lines between reality and fiction, especially during scenes depicting Bobby's coming out. "There were moments when I wondered, 'Is this me or Bobby talking?'" he confesses. 

There were times when he thought of taking out elements in the play which show homophobic harassment that Bobby experiences. However, it was a real-life encounter with homophobia that solidified Power's commitment to authentically portray Bobby's struggles. "It was life imitating art - after experiencing discrimination firsthand, I knew I had to keep it in,"

he asserts. "It's a reminder that LGBTQ+ individuals still face bigotry and hatred."

An incident occurred during a night out following a cast reading of Dress You Up, Wayne Power was subjected to a distressing encounter with homophobic harassment from a group of young men in the city. 

He and another man displayed affection publicly, only to be met with derogatory slurs, including the hateful use of the "f-slur" and an attempt to engage in physical violence. This shocking incident, a stark reminder of the discrimination still faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, left Power shaken but resolute in his decision to authentically portray similar queer experiences in his play.

Despite his nerves about the play's debut and his first work as a playwright, Power is resolute in his mission to represent the queer community authentically. "I'm proud to offer a voice to the underdogs, the wallflowers—the ones who've felt like they didn't fit in," he declares. “It’s not just for the queer community, I do think there is something there for everyone, each character has their own stories going on too.” 

Dress You Up promises to deliver a rollercoaster of emotions, from side-splitting comedy to gut-wrenching heartbreak. "I like making people laugh their hearts out but also rip it out," Power says with a cheeky grin.

Tickets for the four-night run will be available in late summer, with the play hitting the stage on October 21st. For those unable to wait for the show, Dress You Up will also be published in September, ensuring that Power's work reaches a wider audience. In his work, Wayne Power invites us to step into Bobby's shoes, to experience the highs and lows of his journey, and perhaps, to find a piece of ourselves reflected in his story.

Keep up to date with news on this play and more from Wayne Power via Instagram @waynepowerpoetry