Gerringong local Lauren Mahar and her husband, Jordon, are bringing Ulster American, a thought-provoking play by Irish playwright David Ireland, to the Wollongong Workshop Theatre from February 21 to March 8.

Ulster American revolves around a tense conversation between three characters: an American actor, an English director, and a playwright from Northern Ireland, who are attempting to stage a new play. The play takes a dark turn as they quickly discover, each character has different intentions for the play.

Lauren, who grew up in Gerringong, is producing the play, while Jordon makes his directorial debut with this production. The couple was inspired to bring the play to the Illawarra after seeing it performed in London.

“We were fortunate enough to see Ulster American in London with a powerhouse cast featuring Louisa Harland, Woody Harrelson, and Andy Serkis,” says Jordon. “But beyond the incredible performances, it was our introduction to David Ireland’s work.”

Ireland has become one of the most celebrated playwrights in recent years, with Ulster American garnering attention for its sharp, timely commentary on issues such as the importance of history, the significance of language, and the often-contentious debates we engage in today.

“I think the two male characters in the play are trying to appear very woke and politically correct,” says Lauren. “But it’s through their actions that we see who they truly are, and that theme really comes through in the play.”

The play also delves into the complex history of Ireland, particularly the identity struggle faced by those in Northern Ireland, who often decide to identify as British rather than Irish. This exploration of group identity was one of the aspects that first drew Jordon to the play.

“One of the most fascinating elements of this play is the concept of group identity,” says Jordon. “The character from Northern Ireland is caught in this tension between her Irish heritage and the British culture she grew up with - learning British history, watching British television, and seeing herself as British.”

“But then there’s the baggage that comes with that identity when we discuss the political and physical conflict between the UVF, the IRA, and the British Army. It raises the question: How far are you willing to go to defend the group identity you've chosen?”

The promotional poster for Ulster American. Source: Wollongong Workshop Theatre.

Ulster American is a play that forces its audience to reflect deeply, and both Jordon and Lauren believe in the transformative power of theatre to prompt self examination.

“Theatre is important because it holds a mirror up to the audience,” says Jordon. “It gives us a chance to watch aspects of ourselves and people we know reflected on stage.”

“It encourages us to really think about what we like or dislike about characters,” Lauren adds. “Why does a character rub us the wrong way? Why did something they said offend us? Theatre gives us the space to question our own beliefs and values.”

The couple hopes to bring a taste of the theatre’s magic to the Illawarra, a region often far from major cultural hubs in New South Wales.

“There’s no theatre in Kiama, so if you want to enjoy live theatre, you often have to travel to Wollongong,” says Jordon. “This is a chance to showcase local talent - Lauren grew up in Gerringong, and she’s passionate about bringing quality theatre to her community.”

Ulster American opens on February 21 at the Wollongong Workshop Theatre. Tickets are available for purchase here.