Ciaran Fitzgerald. Playwright. Work In Progress-Play Review by Sara Edwards

SaraC_Scope

Ciaran Fitzgerald – Playwright -A Fragile Hope.

Ciaran Fitzgerald is an RTS Cymru award-winning disabled screenwriter and playwright from Port Talbot. His TV series ‘BWMP’ aired on S4C in 2025 and is the first Welsh-language comedy with a disabled protagonist. Produced by Octagon Content, its pilot won an RTS Cymru Award for Digital Original in 2024.

A graduate of the BA Scriptwriting course at the University of South Wales, he has written for The Other Room Theatre, Theatr Clwyd. He was part of the Sherman Theatre Writers’ Group in 2022-23 and the Sherman Theatre Explode Programme in 2023-24. Ciaran has also been part of the Oli Lansley Mentoring Scheme for Writers, run by Wildchild.

Ciaran has Cerebral Palsy, and his lived experience of disability informs much of his writing. He is also a presenter, presenting ‘Y Gymraeg: Hawl Pob Plentyn,’ a ground breaking documentary which discusses access to the Welsh medium education for disabled children. He is currently developing a new play, 'A Fragile Hope', for the stage. 

I was invited to the Wales Millennium Centre for a viewing of Ciaran’s work in progress, “A Fragile Hope.”

“A Fragile Hope” is centred around three main characters, Ceri, her fiancé Max and friend Lisa. The play explores ableism, parenting and friendship.

When Ceri and Max approach Lisa to be their surrogate, it sets in motion a chain of events which forces each character to face their own ableism.

Ceri, who has cerebral palsy, is desperate to be a mother in a world that continuously questions whether she can.

The narrative created by Ciaran effectively engaged the audience, allowing them to form an immediate connection with the characters. It was evident that the actors had a deep understanding of the story and portrayed their roles with authenticity.

The audience was presented with three scenes from the play, immersing them in the intertwined stories of Ceri, Max, and Lisa.

Ciaran skilfully portrayed the complex emotions connected with the surrogacy journey, particularly from the perspective of a disabled woman. While Ceri was involved in the process, her disability also highlighted a sense of exclusion. There were moments when her thoughts and emotions were unintentionally not recognised or valued by Max and Lisa.

The play was an emotional experience at times, but it stayed in the sweet spot of being truly engaging and not overly challenging.

The central character in A Fragile Hope is a woman living with Cerebral Palsy, yet the themes and narrative of the play resonate with everyone, reflecting universal family dynamics.

Ciaran aims to shine a light on the challenges and barriers faced by disabled people, showcasing these experiences through the lens of art and culture.

“A Fragile Hope” will be a thought-provoking play that you won’t want to miss.

trouble5316

I am a disabled published poet i loved reading it

Rachel_Scope

That sounds like a really interesting play! There should be more stories that deal with disability and ableism. I hope I can see this someday.

trouble5316

I have faced ableism myself

Rachel_Scope

I'm sorry to hear that @trouble5316. Unfortunately I think it is quite common.

trouble5316

Was a person who is disabled themself police had be involved