Lafracoth Illumined

a critical fabulation play about a medieval Irish woman who deserved a much better story…

Propel New Works first aligned with playwright Matt Galvin in 2019 when he introduced Angeline Larimer to his epic verse play The Lyric of Lafracoth, and expressed an interest in seeing it staged. Five years after that initial exchange, and several collaborative projects later, Lafracoth was performed as a professional staged reading sponsored by Propel New Works, Medical Humanities and Health Studies of Indiana University School of Liberal Arts, and the Indiana University Conscience Project. Propel New Works, along with Dr. Galvin and Dr. Meg Gaffney assembled professional actors and university academics representing diverse areas of expertise to bring forward Galvin’s new work about ancient and timely concerns. The Lyric of Lafracoth was adapted as Lafracoth Illumined by Galvin & Larimer. The goal of the Lafracoth Illumined adaptation was to shape the story within a stageable time window, and to include theatre and non-theatre professionals in both the new play development process and the academic staged reading. Both Galvin and Larimer have a shared interest in using theatre as an educational tool to facilitate necessary discussions while at the same time deepening the understanding of those who participate in the new play development process . This collaboration took nearly five years, and brought together an impressive group of scholars and performers. The staged reading was performed on March 1st, 2025 at the Basile Theatre inside the Indiana Historical Society and was directed by Professor Abdul-Khaliq Murtadha.

  • A man with white hair and glasses wearing a brown jacket, yellow shirt, and a patterned tie, sitting indoors.

    The Playwright

    Dr. Matthew Galvin

    Matthew Galvin’s love for Ireland and research, as well as a lifelong interest in philosophy, led him to Lafracoth’s name, obscurely written within medieval Irish records. Lafracoth’s brief mention alongside the description “wanton woman” inspired Galvin’s mission to provide Lafracoth with a better story, and this how The Lyric of Lafracoth came into being.

  • A historical illustration of Queen Elizabeth I dressed in elaborate royal attire with a red, gold, and green gown, standing next to a small table with a pitcher, set against a plain background.

    Lafracoth Imagined

    The Lyric of Lafracoth:

    A medieval historical fiction in dramatic form for older adolescents and adults, this verse play depicts a person of conscience in early 12th century Ireland. This work is intended for late adolescents and adults who have either acquired or are engaged in higher education. The author envisions uses in classrooms, drama and book clubs in which conscience sensitive character analyses and discussions of moral life in and out of religious contexts are deemed worthy of pursuit.

    Original copy found here:
    The Lyric of Lafracoth

  • Three smiling women standing together in front of a sign that says 'Basile Theater' at an indoor event.

    Lafracoth Illumined

    Propel New Works first aligned with playwright Matt Galvin in 2019 when he introduced Angeline Larimer to his verse play The Lyric of Lafracoth. Five years and several collaborative projects later, Lafracoth made it to the stage as a professional staged reading sponsored by Propel New Works, Medical Humanities and Health Studies of Indiana University School of Liberal Arts, and the Indiana University Conscience Project.

    The Lyric of Lafracoth was adapted as Lafracoth Illumined by Galvin & Larimer. The goal of the Lafracoth Illumined adaptation was to shape Lafracoth’s epic story within a more stageable window of time, and to include theatre and non-theatre professionals in the new play development process as well as the academic staged reading. Both Galvin and Larimer have a shared interest in using theatre as an educational tool to facilitate necessary discussions, while at the same time both appreciate the deepening of understanding for those who participate in the playwright’s process . This collaboration took nearly five years, and brought together an impressive group of scholars and performers. The staged reading was performed on March 1st, 2025 at the Basile Theatre inside the Indiana Historical Society. The play was directed by Professor Abdul-Khaliq Murtadha.

  • Woman with curly hair and glasses smiling at a bookstore table filled with books, holding a pink poster about women's prison history and carceral institutions.

    21st Century Lafracoth - Professor Elizabeth Nelson

    (Professor Elizabeth Nelson, Indiana University Indiana, above with her book Who Would Believe a Prisoner.)

    Dr. Nelson introduced playwrights Matt Galvin and Angeline Larimer to critical fabulation, an academic term coined by Saidiya Hartman which concentrates on bringing forward history’s suppressed or omitted voices by using scholarly research methods to fill in the gaps of history. She also generously offered advice as a historian, participated in the adaptation of Lafracoth’s story, and tackled her first acting role as our lead heroine.

  • A Zoom video call showing eight participants, including five with their video on and three with their video off. The participants are in different indoor settings, with some looking directly at the camera and others appearing focused or thoughtful.

    Lafracoth Illumined Special Interest Group

    The Lafracoth Illumined Special Interest Group was a valuable part of the adaptation’s process as scholars and readers converged once a month to read and discuss the important themes and elements of the original script.

  • A virtual meeting with nine participants in individual video call windows, including bookshelves, a tropical background, and some participants with glasses and varied backgrounds.

    First Table Read

    Lafracoth Illumined performers came together for our first rehearsal on February 26th, 2025

  • A conductor leads a rehearsal with a group of people sitting in chairs on a stage in a theater. The stage has black curtains, music stands, and studio lighting overhead.

    Lafracoth in Rehearsal

    Our special thanks to Indiana University Indianapolis head of the Applied Theatre Program Prof. Emilio G. Robles who made our on-campus rehearsal possible by providing the IUI

  • A group of performers on stage during a theatrical or musical rehearsal or performance, with some seated and holding scripts, and one standing and speaking into a microphone. The stage has a large screen or backdrop behind them, and the setting appears to be a theater or auditorium.

    Lafracoth Performed

    The staged reading of Lafracoth Illumined was housed in the beautiful Indiana Historic Theater.

  • Lafracoth in Historical Context

    By Professor Elizabeth Boyle
    Maynooth University, Ireland

    Professor Boyle offers a commentary on the historicity of the play "Lafracoth Illumined" in this essay written for our staged reading collaboration with the Indiana University Conscience Project:
    https://scholarworks.indianapolis.iu.edu/items/eddb297e-dbf2-4415-83ae-fe6126ea5b3d