When we began creating Called Out, we asked a simple but important question: how do we start the conversations that so many people avoid?

AOIBH Clarke

Across the North of Ireland, and far beyond it, women and girls continue to experience harassment, intimidation and violence in ways that are often normalised or dismissed. This production exists because we believe that silence allows those patterns to continue AND WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF THEATRE TO IMPACT OUR WORLD FOR THE BETTER.

Called Out is about challenging that silence, not through blame or shame, but through honesty, reflection and responsibility.

At its heart, this show focuses on the small moments: the jokes that go unchallenged, the comments that are brushed off, the behaviours that young people are often told are “just boys being boys.”

These moments matter. They shape how we treat one another and what we allow to become normal. By calling them out, we create the possibility for something different.

As a woman directing this piece, it has been deeply meaningful to work with a team committed to opening these conversations with care, courage and respect. Theatre has a unique power to place us inside someone else’s experience, to ask difficult questions, and to encourage empathy. That is what we hope this performance will do.

I am incredibly grateful to our team, our co-producers, CRAIC THEATRE AND OUR FUDNERS, FOR ALLOWING US THE SPACE TO MAKE MEANINGFUL WORK. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, I’D LIKE TO THANK THE FIVE SURVIVORS WHO CONTRIBUTED THEIR INTERVIEWS TO THIS PIECE OF THEATRE. THEIR VOICES ARE WHAT PLACE THIS WORK AT THE CENTRE OF THE ISSUE AND ALLOWED US TO WORK WITH INTEGRITY AND TRUTH.

WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THEM, TODAY AND EVERY DAY.”

Wee Yarn Productions was founded by THEATRE MAKERS, Cahal Clarke and Aoibh Johnson in 2019.

“We are committed to producing professional theatre that explores, questions and illuminates our world and the stories which bind us. New writing is our main focus, with no story being too big or too small. We are excited by the use of space, and how our environment shapes our experiences. At Wee Yarn Productions, we place the audience at the centre of our work. We invite our audiences not only to spectate but to participate and most importantly, to witness.”

“We believe in producing theatre that questions the world around us”

Wee Yarn Productions is an independent theatre company from the North of Ireland, founded in 2019. The company creates bold, socially engaged theatre that explores real stories and encourages important conversations.

Alongside producing original work, Wee Yarn works with communities and young people through workshops and creative programmes, using theatre as a tool for encouraging self expression, exploring social change and connecting communities. Their work aims to challenge, inspire and create space for voices that need to be heard.

“WE BELIEVE IN PRODUCING THEATRE THAT QUESTIONS THE WORLD AROUND US”

Cathal Clarke

Cahal is a writer, director, and producer from North Belfast. He is the co-founder and co-artistic director of Wee Yarn Productions, which was established in 2019. His production journey has seen him producing and writing Wee Yarn’s first venture Out on a School Night, which explored the issue of consent and tackled the ongoing issue of violence against women and girls. Cahal also directed and co-produced Wee Yarn’s critically acclaimed, touring production The Daughters of Róisín.

Cahal works extensively as a creative facilitator, advocating for the empowerment of young people and marginalised groups. His most recent work has found him in collaboration with Theatre and Dance NI, Youth Theatre Ireland and the Lyric Theatre Belfast. Cahal has also been commissioned to write work for the National Trust and was chosen as a 2025 mentor for Theatre and Dance NI’s Invest Artists.

Cahal is delighted to see his work staged and is proud to be contributing to the conversation on creating a safer world for women and girls.

“There’s a bit of Conor in all of us. We all need called out”

“THERE’S A BIT OF CONOR IN ALL OF US. WE ALL NEED CALLED OUT.”

Rónán Evan Johnson

Rónán is an actor based in Mid-Ulster and London. He trained at the prestigious Italia Conti in Musical Theatre and at PPA in Guildford, in acting for stage and screen. His recent credits include: BBC’s Hope Street, Elvis Evolution at the ExCeL in London, Cinderella at The Scala London and the short film Playback.

Rónán found his passion for theatre in Craic Theatre, performing in the youth theatre for many years and playing ‘The Dentist’ in Craic’s fantastic iteration of Little Shop of Horrors.

Rónán is overjoyed to have been given the opportunity to perform locally once again, especially in such a vital piece of theatre.

“A ONE MAN SHOW IS A CHALLENGE THAT I FEEL LUCKY TO HAVE UNDERTAKEN.
I TRULY BELIEVE THIS WORK HAS THE POTENTIAL TO IMPACT YOUNG PEOPLE IN A MONUMENTAL WAY AND I’M HONOURED TO BE A PART OF IT.”

Oisín Clarke

Oisín’s love for theatre and the live arts was fostered from a young age, having joined the ranks of Belfast’s amateur dramatics societies aged 10. After treading the boards for several years, he began to express interest in the behind the scenes work, developing a passion for the full creative process rather than just performing.

Harnessing this passion, Oisín attended the Guildford School of Acting where he studied a BA in Technical Theatre. Upon completing this course, Oisín worked for several years across London theatres – both on and off West End, including such highlights as The Book of Mormon, & Juliet and several stints at Shakespeare’s Globe.

Following the COVID pandemic, Oisín moved home to Belfast and joined Wee Yarn Productions as their Technical Manager. Oisín also works frequently within the technical teams at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast and the Grand Opera House.

Joanne McDonald

“At Craic, we believe theatre should entertain. It should make people laugh, lean forward and stay fully engaged. But we also believe it has the power to challenge, to question and to shift perspectives.

‘Called Out’ manages to do both. It is gripping and accessible while addressing issues that are urgent and deeply relevant to young people today.”

THANK YOU

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made this production possible.

To Mid Ulster Council, for funding the research and development of this work and, through their ‘Ending Violence Against Women and Girls’ campaign, enabling over 1000 young people in our community to see this work for free.

To the Education Authority for unwavering support and guidance.

To the Duncairn production team, our voiceover actors, Micky at Craic Theatre for help with our set, every audience member that bought a ticket and supported the work, our friends and family that encouraged us to be unafraid of activism and protest and always showed us that art can provoke change.

And most importantly, to the five women who were generous with their stories of survival that contributed to this script. Your courage, generosity and passion for change inspires us every day.

we stand with you now and always

If you would like to book this work for your theatre, school or organisation, contact us.

aoibh CLARKE: DIRECTOR AND CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF WEE YARN PRODUCTIONS
weeyarnproductions@gmail.com

cahal clarke: WRITER AND CO ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF WEE YARN PRODUCTIONS
weeyarnproductions@gmail.com

Joanne MCDONALD: MANAGER AND PRODUCER OF CRAIC THEATRE
info@craicartscentre.co.uk

AOIFE CORR (poet and Long standing member of craic theatre)

“Somebody should say something”
a phrase passed like a baton,
from hand to hand, until the moment is gone.
We sip and we smirk and we stay in our seat,
while fear keeps time in a woman’s heartbeat.

Behaviour that needs to be called out right now.
Not “later,” not “privately,” not “you need to calm down.”
because it doesn’t start with sirens, it starts with a grin,
a “joke” on her body, a hand testing skin.
A comment disguised as a compliment’s glow,
then “come on” turns quickly into “prove it’s a no.”

And you know.
You feel that shift in the air,
when her laugh turns thin like a whispered prayer.
When her eyes find exits, her shoulders pull tight,
when she measures the room like it’s built for a fight.
You call it “awkward,” you call it “a scene,”
but danger only stays if you keep it unseen.

Violence against women doesn’t live in one man.
It lives in the circle that says “it’ll be grand.”
In the mate who goes quiet, the friend who defends,
in the “boys will be boys” that never quite ends.
You bubble-wrap his reputation,
straight edges, so neat,
while she walks home alone bracing for the sound of
followed feet.
Entitlement snaps when it’s met with a “no,”
humiliation burns, it’s the end of the show.
So don’t wait for a headline, a vigil, a name.
Call it early, call it loudly, call it what it became.

“Somebody should say something” so let it be you.
Not “next time,” not “someone,” not “I don’t know what to do”.
Say “Stop.” when it starts.
Say “No” when it grows.
Say “That’s not funny.”
And watch how fast the laughter slows.

And If you choose to stay quiet,
don’t dare call it “defiance”.
Saying nothing isn’t silence,
it’s compliance.
It’s alliance.

If you or someone you know needs support, please access the organisations listed here. you are not alone.

Domestic & Sexual Abuse Helpline
0808 802 1414
www.dsahelpline.org

Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland
www.womensaidni.org

Nexus NI
www.nexusni.org

Lifeline Northern Ireland
0808 808 8000
www.lifelinehelpline.info

NSPCC (for children and young people)
0808 800 5000
www.nspcc.org.uk

Emergency: If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.