Jay Sefton in
Unreconciled
by Jay Sefton & Mark Basquill
Following a critically acclaimed run as part of Belfast International Arts Festival 2025, US writer-performer Jay Sefton's searing play comes to Dún Laoghaire. Set in suburban Philadephia, Unreconciled is based on the true story of an adolescent actor cast as Jesus in a school play directed by a parish priest.
The story chronicles a survivor’s journey as he confronts his past, navigates a victims’ reparations program set up by the Catholic Church, and discovers the courage to use his voice. Told with raw honesty, vulnerability, and unexpected flashes of humour, this is a moving exploration of family, place, memory, and the elusive search for reconciliation.
Winner: Outstanding Solo Performance & Outstanding World Premiere of a New Play, Berkshire Theatre Critics Association Awards
Recipient of the Sean P. McIlmail Hero Award from Child USA
Recipient of the Sean P. McIlmail Hero Award from Child USA
"Utterly moving and thoughtfully made" - NoHo Arts
"As the show unfurls, Sefton’s transformations dazzle, and the pacing of the production is as precisely mapped as the best poetry" - America: The Jesuit Review
“Sefton holds his audience spellbound" - The Enterprise News of Cape Cod
“Sefton’s story is compelling not only in content but also in presentation. For one thing, his acting is top notch” - Stage Raw
“A genuine, raw, honest, and intimate portrayal. One must see it to understand the power of characterization and the finesse of storytelling” - Discover Hollywood
“To say I laughed and cried is to not do the Unreconciled experience justice” - onStage Pittsburgh
“Sefton, a certified mental health counselor and performer, expertly blends performance with activism” - Pittsburgh City Paper
“Sefton is a masterful performer. . . [an] impactful, stirring, and unforgettable performance.” - Pittsburgh Tatler