A personal journey as part of Mabel’s story

11 November 2015

STARTING our journey on winding tree-lined paths we first come across Lady Mabel Annesley sitting in the formal gardens surrounding Castlewellan Castle.

Now in old age, she is really passing her final days in Suffolk but in her imagination she is back home in the County Down home she loved so much.

This is how actress Maria Connolly begins her performance of Mabel, in what has been a labour of love for the well-known actress. Maria came across the blue plaque dedicated to her muse at the castle while on holiday and went on a mission to find out as much as she could about the woman at the centre of the stunning grey castle.

More interesting than your average 19th-century aristocrat, Lady Mabel was an acclaimed artist and wood-engraver who exhibited in Belfast, London and Dublin, inspired by the stunning Mourne setting of her home. Many of her works are still to be found in prestigious locations such as the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Mabel is what is known in the industry as site-specific theatre and Castlewellan Castle itself was the stage, starting with the Annesley Gardens.

In the first scene as elderly Mabel, she is confused by the presence of her grand-daughter, played by Jo Donnelly, who by turns morphs into her mother, step-mother, sister, friend, husband and son.

The vivacious Jo Donnelly is the perfect counterpoint to the often shy and awkward, but emotional Mabel.

More costume changes would have been a nice detail for Jo’s multiple roles but the merging of the different characters also blends nicely with what begins as Mabel’s old-age reminiscences.

Mabel’s happy childhood and close relationship with her mother are emphasised, and when she isn’t galloping across fields she is singing Irish songs, with some of the audience on Saturday even joining in.

By the time we reach the castle itself, however, we know that tragedy is soon to strike.

Mother is replaced by a step-mother she does not get on with and “the dragon” governess, and art becomes a comfort in a more isolated childhood. We gather Mabel has difficulties socialising as a result and is increasingly uncomfortable with the role she was born into. But Maria Connolly’s tremulous performance has us cheering for Mabel when she falls for her ‘penniless sailor’ — Lieutenant Gerald Sowerby, who would sadly die at sea several years later.

There are more tragedies and illnesses to follow, with art promoted as the healing balm. And there may something to that when you see the inspirational lake and mountain view Mabel saw every morning from the castle’s first floor windows.

There is also a look at the worsening political situation here which made Mabel, despite her friendliness with the locals, a target for violence.

We leave with Mabel still at the helm of the castle, but the seed of doubt is planted. We hope, but do not have have confidence, that all will be well under the stewardship of her son, little Gerald.

Mabel concludes its run on November 14. Performances are waiting-list only. For more details contact Down Arts Centre on 4461 0747.

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