National Theatre Wales have announced an Irish tour of Cotton Fingers, a timely, politically-charged play from award-winning writer Rachel Trezise. Written during the Irish referendum to repeal the 8th amendment in 2018, Cotton Fingers will tour venues in Belfast, Derry, Dublin and Bray from May 22 until June 8, marking the one-year anniversary of the historic referendum.

Set in Belfast, Cotton Fingers tells the story of a young woman making the journey to Wales to access free NHS abortion care. Northern Irish actor Amy Molloy will perform in this bold, one-woman show about the cycles of secrecy and the power young women hold over their futures, directed by National Theatre Wales’ Associate Director, Julia Thomas.

Cotton Fingers was originally performed in west Wales, in venues close to the port town of Fishguard, where Irish ferries dock, in July 2018. It was one of five monologues or Love Letters to the National Health Service that formed part of National Theatre Wale’s NHS70 Festival, celebrating the Service’s 70th birthday.

Announcing the tour, National Theatre Wales’ Artistic Director, Kully Thiarai said:

“We are very excited to be making our debut across the Irish Sea, bringing this funny, poignant but important production to audiences in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Marking a year since the historic referendum, Cotton Fingers highlights the stark differences between women's rights on either side of the border. It’s a fantastic work of snappy Welsh writing, made by an extraordinary trio of talented women.”

Tickets are on sale now. See the full tour schedule below:

Wednesday 22 & Thursday 23 May

The MAC, 10 Exchange St West, Belfast

Friday 24 & Saturday 25 May

The Playhouse Theatre and Arts Centre, 5-7 Artillery Street, Derry

Wednesday 29-Saturday 31 May

Samuel Beckett Theatre, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2

Saturday 1 June

Mermaid Arts Centre, Main Street, Bray