2 out of 5 stars

You can admire the ambition behind “North Star,” a work billed as “a live music and spoken word performance inspired by the speeches of abolitionist Frederick Douglass during his historic visit to Belfast in 1845.” It incorporates just about everything, from student-written poems about NYC life to smart, soulful rapping from hip-hop performer OneDa. But in the end, the piece, conceived by Belfast artist Kwame Daniels, is too much of a mish-mash to leave a solid impression — and in the process it fails in achieving its central goal of exploring Douglass’ visit. Still, some individual moments may stick with you.

At the Irish Arts Center, through June 21, 2026; irishartscenter.org. (Review date: June 7, 2026)