PRIDE at Garter Lane Arts Centre curated by Rachel Ní Bhraonáin and Natsha Everritt

In partnership with Pride of The Déise an evening of culture and social connection are on the cards at Garter Lane theatre and Gallery. A presented rehearsed reading of Confined Spaces, a new play by Michael Lavery, Directed by Em Ó Ceallaigh will be followed by a gathering in the Gallery with tunes provided by Deise Doll and a pop-up bar by Tully’s Bar.

WELCOME EVERYONE!

Belfast, September 2023. The Sugababes are touring again. Things are looking good for young gay Irish men who are looking to start over. Confined Spaces is a dark comedy exploring toxic relationships within the queer community and the rocky, horny and uncomfortable road to self-acceptance.

The hour-long reading is followed by a social. We invite you to party in the gallery with the one and only Déise Doll spinning the decks and a pop-up bar by Tully’s.

About Michael Lavery

Michael Lavery is a 23 year old writer and performer based in Belfast. He is a recent graduate of Queen’s University Belfast’s Drama undergrad and has been involved in various writing and devising schemes such as NSDF Lab, Abbey Theatre’s Windows 21 project and Lyric Theatre Belfast’s young writers programme.

Michael’s short plays Late Night and Whipped Cream and Chives have been performed at No Touching Theatre Festival and ShowFace Digital Theatre Festival. Michael enjoys showcasing difficult, problematic and unlikable queer characters by using the form of comedy as a corrective, to highlight to audiences that everyone can be messy.

About Em Ó Ceallaigh

Em is a director, dramaturg, writer, devisor and facilitator. Em explores shame and queer stories in their work. They create work for young people, adults and in collaboration with various communities, with play and integrity. Em is a Branar Meitheal artist 2025-26, and has a mentorship residency with Draíocht, Blanchardstown (2026-28). Recent work includes: Síomha and the Otherworld (director/ story), written by Sian Ní Mhuirí, supported by the Arts Council’s Project Award 2024 (Riverbank Arts Centre, dlr Mill Theatre, and axis: Ballymun, May-June 2025); associate director/script editor for Future Stories project, an 18 month theatre/film development programme for care-experienced young people led by Oonagh Murphy, with writing by Emmet Kirwan, that culminated in a collaborative short film, produced by Cracking Light Productions (Smock Alley, First Fortnight Festival 2026); stiúrthóir ar dhráma úr aiteach, An Chos Eile le Sean Mac Dhonnagáin (axis: Ballymun 2023, léiriú idir lámha ag Oireachtas na Samhna, 2024).

About Déise Doll (DJ)

Roibí O Rua AKA Déise Doll, is a multidisciplinary artist and trans-woman working between visual art and music. Sonically she has been making her way through Ireland’s underground club scene as a DJ and Self Proclaimed Pop-Star, with an LP, EP, features on compilations, as well as having performed for community led club nights such as Alien Nations ‘NOTIONS’, the Haus of Goofy’s ‘Lash Out’, ‘Cult Collective’ in Kilkenny and ‘A Garden Collective’ in Lisbon. She has performed at the National Concert Hall (‘Metronome’ Series), the launch of EVA International 2023 and Smock Alley Theatre (Dublin Modular). Her sonic aesthetic is informed by queer club culture, her working class roots and a need to get people dancing. Her sets include a mix of high-energy dance music, jungle, bass, dancehall, baile funk, jersey club, ballroom and 90s house sensibilities.

Conor Lyons

Conor has worked as a choreographer while also teaching singing, tap and drama. He has also directed stage school productions of: Beauty and the Beast, Seussical, Oliver, Annie and the Wizard of Oz. Most recently Conor has played Ernst – Spring Awakening, Billy Crocker – Anything Goes, Fagin – Oliver! (A.I.M.S best actor nomination and best actor winner Greenroom Awards), Sky Masterson – Guys and Dolls, Leo Bloom – The Producers (Spirt of A.I.M.S nomination), Bobby Child – Crazy For You (best actor winner Greenroom Awards) Cosmo Browne in Singin’ in the Rain, The Ghost of Christmas Present – A Christmas Carol, Gaston – Beauty And The Beast, Loco Chanelle/Hugo – Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (A.I.M.S best supporting actor nomination), Cinderella’s Prince – Into the Woods, Gearld Bolingbroke – Me and My Girl

Gerard Headley

Gerard Headley is a Belfast-born actor and physical theatre artist. His work centres underrepresented stories, particularly those rooted in queer and working-class experience. He recently wrapped filming on Close to Home for Channel 4, and is currently developing his new work Last Orders with support from Tinderbox Theatre Company. He recently completed a national tour of MOSH by Rachel Ní Bhraonáin, and will tour to New York City later this year with Oona Doherty’s Specky Clark. Other collaborations include Brú Theatre, Bruiser Theatre Company, Red Ladder Theatre Company, Maiden Voyage Dance, NI Opera and Off the Rails Dance.

Sean Landau

Sean most recently played the lead role of Tony in the TV comedy PRIVILEGED for BBC3 & Out of Orbit, and the role of Shane Frazier in HOPE STREET for the BBC and BritBox. He has just wrapped filming the role of Craig alongside Anthony Boyle in the TV adaptation of CLOSE TO HOME, directed by Diarmuid Gogging for Element Pictures. He will next film the role of Preston Vale in THE RAINMAKER S2. On stage Sean most recently appeared in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE directed by Cathal Cleary at Smock Alley Theatre for Once Off Productions; as Stace in BEARDS directed by Ultan Pringle at the New Theatre; and as Matthew in LOURDES! THE MUSICAL! directed by Claire O’Reilly. He has also worked on the development of projects including THE BOY by Marina Carr (the Abbey Theatre, Dublin).

Sean is a recent graduate of the Lír Academy, Dublin.

Rachel Ní Bhraonáin

Rachel is a performer, choreographer, writer and director making multidisciplinary shows and short films from her hometown of Waterford. With storytelling at its core, her work combines dance, writing and sometimes aerial to create visually exciting and emotionally honest work. Her interdisciplinary approach comes from her varied background as a performer on stage, on screen and on the sides of buildings.

Natasha Everitt

Natasha is an actor, theatre maker and writer. Natasha has performed on national and international stages and has worked in front of the screen in various experimental films. She frequently collaborates with Broken Crow, Little Red Kettle, EFS and Curious State. She produces her own original multidisciplinary pieces that blend art, theatre, dance and film, and has created new works for Imagine Arts Festival, the Alternative Kilkenny Arts Festival, and Culture Night in Waterford. Natasha has won the ‘Best Supporting Actress’ for her role as Feste Shakespeare Squared’s production of Twelfth Night and has a four star review in The Irish Times for her performance with Gare St. Lazare in the Dublin Theatre Festival