Walsh sisters bring sibling revelry to the stage

Catherine and Eileen Walsh play different versions of the same person in Enda Walsh’s new play at the former prison in Cork, writes Colette Sheridan.

FOR the first time in her acting career, Catherine Walsh will star alongside her younger sister, Eileen Walsh, in Corcadorca’s production of Enda Walsh’s play, The Same. Taking place at the old decommissioned Cork prison premises near Collins Barracks, the two sisters, originally from Cork’s Quaker Road, will actually be playing the one person.

Catherine explains that there is a ten-year age gap between the two roles. “It’s where you meet your older self or your younger self. They connect with each other but don’t realise they are each other. When they do realise what’s happening, it’s a case of whether or not they will continue to meet. Maybe the younger one is better off not knowing about her future.”