Real-Life Mother and Daughter Star in Revival of Rona Munro's Prison Drama "Iron"

A revival of Rona Munro's 2002 play "Iron" is currently being staged at Home, Manchester, featuring real-life mother and daughter Christine and Lois Mackie in the central roles, according to a review published by The Guardian.

The production casts Christine Mackie as Fay, a woman serving a life sentence for murder, and Lois Mackie as Josie, her daughter and only visitor. According to the review, the casting choice lends the production added credibility given the actors' real family relationship.

The review describes the play as centering on an estranged relationship, noting that the characters have grown apart both emotionally and in terms of their life paths. According to the review, Josie has not seen her mother in 15 years and was instead raised by her grandmother. The review states that Josie has since become "a sensible career woman," associated with corporate suits, business gatherings and international travel, in contrast to her mother's circumstances.

The review characterizes the play as an "understated untangling of a fractured relationship," describing Munro's writing as probing and layered.

According to the report, the production is running at Home, Manchester until 19 September, before transferring to The Dukes in Lancaster, where it will run from 30 September to 3 October.