Alsop Drama present a programme of three of short plays exploring the theme of ‘the undead’ and how Irish peasantry’s relationship between the living and dead was full of mysticism and myth.
The plays – performed in rotation – look at how superstition and folklore influenced relationships with the spirits, the living and past. Originally performed as a trinity of plays by the RSC, Alsop Drama capture the essence of rural life in early twentieth century Ireland through these well-known playwrights.
Riders to the Sea, 25 mins
John Millington Synge, b.1871-d.1909
A tragedy of a mother and the loss of her husbands and sons to the sea. Based not on the traditional conflict of human will, but on the hopeless struggle of people against the impersonal and relentless cruelty of the sea, this clearly Catholic family find themselves wary of the supernatural characteristics of natural elements, an idea ever present in Celtic paganism. Some consider this the perfect one act play
The Shadow of the Glen, 30 mins
John Millington Synge, b.1871-d.1909
A ‘tramp’ seeks shelter at the Burkes’ isolated farmhouse, finding Nora tending to the corpse of Dan. Nora goes to find Michael, whilst Dan reveals his death is a mere ruse to the ‘tramp’. Playing dead again on her return, Dan leaps up in protest when Michael proposes to Nora. Dan kicks Nora out, leaving her to wander the roads with the ‘tramp’ who promises her a life of freedom
Purgatory, 15 mins
William Butler Yeats, b.1865-1939
A family saga of decline and fall told through its two remaining members: an Old Man (the father) and a Boy (his sixteen-year-old son). It is set outside the former family home, which the Old Man’s father had drunkenly burned down, leading him to kill his father as the building perished. Tonight, the Old Man tells the Boy, is the anniversary of his mother’s wedding night…This was the night on which he was conceived
A time to unwind, be with friends and family and celebrate the breadth of Irish culture in this afternoon of music, song, dance, food and drink (available).
A perfect time to reconnect with your loved ones, your (or another) culture and plan your next trip to the Island of Ireland! Comhaltas and local dance schools will present the cream of their membership for all to enjoy.
Regarding food and drink: Visitors are permitted to bring their own food to this event as long as it is eaten in the Garden or Courtyard. The food and drink referred to in print versions of the programme is indicative of venue menus being available from the bar and bistro.
£3/£2conc/£0 under 16s, pre-booking advised
Alsop Drama present a programme of three of short plays exploring the theme of ‘the undead’ and how Irish peasantry’s relationship between the living and dead was full of mysticism and myth.
The plays – performed in rotation – look at how superstition and folklore influenced relationships with the spirits, the living and past. Originally performed as a trinity of plays by the RSC, Alsop Drama capture the essence of rural life in early twentieth century Ireland through these well-known playwrights.
Riders to the Sea, 25 mins
John Millington Synge, b.1871-d.1909
A tragedy of a mother and the loss of her husbands and sons to the sea. Based not on the traditional conflict of human will, but on the hopeless struggle of people against the impersonal and relentless cruelty of the sea, this clearly Catholic family find themselves wary of the supernatural characteristics of natural elements, an idea ever present in Celtic paganism. Some consider this the perfect one act play
The Shadow of the Glen, 30 mins
John Millington Synge, b.1871-d.1909
A ‘tramp’ seeks shelter at the Burkes’ isolated farmhouse, finding Nora tending to the corpse of Dan. Nora goes to find Michael, whilst Dan reveals his death is a mere ruse to the ‘tramp’. Playing dead again on her return, Dan leaps up in protest when Michael proposes to Nora. Dan kicks Nora out, leaving her to wander the roads with the ‘tramp’ who promises her a life of freedom
Purgatory, 15 mins
William Butler Yeats, b.1865-1939
A family saga of decline and fall told through its two remaining members: an Old Man (the father) and a Boy (his sixteen-year-old son). It is set outside the former family home, which the Old Man’s father had drunkenly burned down, leading him to kill his father as the building perished. Tonight, the Old Man tells the Boy, is the anniversary of his mother’s wedding night…This was the night on which he was conceived
Half-hour slots are given to local musicians and performers to perform informal, acoustic seisiúns in this post-show, ‘relax and wind down’ hour.
Seisiún performers volunteered themselves in advance of the festival and have been selected for their ability, charm and capacity to share the stage with audiences, who are encouraged to sing along, bring instruments and generally take part in the activity
Social seisiún platlist PDF available.
An original production, which aims to celebrate the little known story of the men and women from Liverpool who helped to change the course of Irish history, remembering their contribution to the formation of an independent Irish republic, through drama, dance and music.
The story begins in Liverpool in January 1916 and follows the exploits of a group of volunteers who travel to Dublin to take part in the Easter Rising in April 1916. Written by Peter King, descendent of the King Brothers, who themselves engaged in the Easter Rising making the crossing in support of the action
£5 from St Michael’s Irish Centre or online (+booking fee)
It is 1914 in Downings, County Donegal. In a women’s commune, we meet and witness the journeys of five women, accompanied by live music, imagery and old, Celtic stories.
Our main character, Murieann, is leaving the island of Tory for America. We journey with her, exploring early-twentieth-century revolution and suffrage, in Ireland and England, precipitating the feelings, actions and emotions that continue informing politics today, locally and globally. Should we take action? Should we educate? Must we be involved? What does that mean?
A brand new production and original play, at up-and-coming venue The Invisible Wind Factory, Scadán is fictional play (based on historic accounts) produced, performed and written by young, emerging artists living in the city, including young writers, Lauren O’Hara and Connor Kelly (from Derry-Londonderry), who live in Liverpool alongside upcoming, Liverpool-based Producer/Director Roisin Fletcher.
crowdfunder.co.uk/scadn-2016-1
www.facebook.com/scadan2016
£8/£6 conc/£3 15-17 year olds
Alan O’Hare (Only Child) hosts this stunning open mic night, celebrating songwriters from Liverpool and beyond, especially those with Irish connections.
With featured acts and open mic slots, come and visit us at the recently resurrected and wonderful venue: The Magnet
What the focal! is a short comedy film adapted by playwright Jonathan Burgess from an original idea by Linda Ervine.
When Maggie, a Protestant from East Belfast, decides to learn Irish her husband Jimmy, a Loyalist, puts his foot down and tells her that there will be no Irish spoken in ‘his’ house. However, Maggie and her best friend Anne decide that they will secretly enrol for Irish classes, under the guise of learning French.
Following the film, Linda will deliver a brief talk entitled The Miracle that is Turas (turas being the Gaelic word for journey), followed by a Q&A panel session, including some of her students. When the Turas Irish Language Centre opened in East Belfast in January this year, it was called ‘a miracle’.
Until recently, no one could have conceived of the idea that people would learn Irish on the Newtownards Road, yet today over 120 people, of all ages, attend classes every week. The evening concludes with a music session incorporating tunes and songs from both traditions
£3 from St Michael’s Irish Centre
A provocative and deeply moving work, celebrating the resilience and humour of a city mostly forgotten now by the West.
Combining new music for classical accordion, poetry, photography and film Sklonište celebrates the spirit of the Sarajevans who lived through the longest siege in modern history. The Siege of Sarajevo (Bosnia) was the longest siege in modern warfare, lasting 1,425 days and claiming 13,952 lives.
Ailís Ní Ríain is an Irish classical composer and writer, interested in creating work across music, theatre and installation to challenge, provoke and engage
£7/£5conc/members
More information here.
Watch trailers of the event, below.
Sligo band, Rackhouse Pilfer are a stomping, fiery and exciting band and have been getting rave reviews for with their brand of rootsy Americana.
Critics describe them as “a word of mouth phenomenon”, “a fiery and exciting new band” and “musically gifted”
£9 from St Michael’s Irish Centre or online (+booking fee)
