IEA: The IE Arts Review - May, 1999 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit ===================================================================== The IE Arts Review _____________________________________________________________________ Editor: Miriam Stewart May, 1999 Issue No.15 ===================================================================== The IE Arts Review is a monthly publication from the Irish Emigrant containing news and reviews of the latest in Irish theatre, cinema, visual art, performance and much more. Comments and questions are welcome by email to . It can also be viewed on our web pages at . > > > > > > > > > CONTENTS < < < < < < < < < REVIEWS Theatre - "The Whisperers" - "Out of the Heavens in Showers" Film "Sweety Barrett" NEWS Theatre: - Death of Oliver Reed Visual Arts: - Challenges to Millennium Monument Film: - Documentaries on John Behan's Famine Sculpture & the Kenny's of Galway - The Irish Film Board is looking to appoint a business manager - Irish Presence at Cannes - Kerry Boosts Film-making Potential - Liam Neeson Announces Retirement - New Irish Releases - Irish Film Celebration in the Lincoln Center, New York General: - The TASCQ 1999 Initiative - Launch of Galway Arts Festival WHAT'S ON - The Saw Doctor's Tour of North America - A guide to plays currently running in Irish theatres - Art Exhibitions - Sligo Arts Festival > > > > > > > > > THEATRE REVIEW < < < < < < < < < "The Whisperers" by Frances Sheridan/Elizabeth Kuti Rough Magic at the Town Hall Theatre, Galway Dir: Lynne Parker The playwright Sebastian Barry has described this play as "a strange and wonderful alliance". Frances Sheridan, the mother of Richard Brinsley, began writing for the theatre in 1762. Her first play was an unprecedented success; her second less so, but it sold well. Her third "A Trip To Bath" was submitted to David Garrick at the Drury Lane Theatre in London; he rejected it. Frances was evidently quite bruised at this rejection, and wrote to Garrick to defend it. Only the first three acts of the play remained extant through the centuries; whether Frances destroyed or simply neglected to finish it is uncertain. So it lay, unwanted and gathering dust, until Elizabeth Kuti unearthed it. Entranced, she decided to finish it, to allow the characters to rest. This certainly represents a landmark in Irish theatre, two female playwrights stretching over the divides of society and time itself to create a play. And what a play! "The Whisperers" (as the play is now called) is a feast for the senses; the beautiful costumes (designed by Jacqueline Kobler) gleam and rustle as they sweep upon the stage; the set's bubbling Roman columns evoke 18th century Bath (set design by Blaithin Sheeran), as do the music and the beautiful language. "The Whisperers" is a comedy of manners. Bath is the resort of choice for polite society, which has its own divisions between the "old" snobbish aristocracy and the brash noveau riche. The industrial revolution has dented the riches of the landed classes, some of whom trade their title and the social acceptance it carries, for marriage to money. Among these are the determined social butterflies Lady Filmot (Andrea Irvine) and Lord Stewkly (James Wallace), who may have seen better days. Undeterred, they pit their wits against their companions at Mrs Surface's (Bairbe Ni Chaoimh) Boarding House, hoping to snare a young heir or heiress. Their victims are the betrothed young couple Lucy (Pauline Hutton) and Edward (Demian McAdam). They are unwittingly aided and abetted by Lucy's mother Mrs Tryfort (Noelle Brown) and Edward's uncle Sir Jeremy Bull (Arthur Riordan), who both believe that their offspring could marry much better. Also looking for love is the vulgar Champignion, who has made a fortune in sugar cane. His beloved, the impoverished Lady Bell Aircastle (Natalie Stringer), has "standards", and refuses to consider his suit. Sheridan's comedy wittily exposes the hypocrisy at the heart of her society, and Kuti's final two acts are deftly woven in. This play is extremely well written and Kuti deserves praise. In some ways the climatic final act is acidly sharp; but always observant and funny. The ending is perfect, with all longings, mix-ups and tricks resolved. The acting is excellent; Andrea Irvine is wry as the sophisticated Lady Filmot, and James Wallace is a good partner in crime. Demian McAdam also gives a good performance as the foppish Edward. I especially enjoyed Natalie Stringer's Lady Bell Aircastle; her accent was amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed "The Whisperers", a theatrical marriage of wit and satire, past and present blessed by two good playwrights. ***** "Out of the Heavens in Showers" By John Doorty Kilshanny Workshop Productions at the Town Hall Theatre, Galway Dir. Alan Devlin Placing this in the theatre section is a bit of a misnomer. This production is an experience rather than a performance, with narration, acting, music and dancing taking equal parts. Micho Russell was born in Doolin, County Clare in 1915, an area steeped in musical tradition; a tradition he imbibed, becoming Ireland's best known traditional musician. He was peerless playing the tin whistle and flute, and toured the world with his music, establishing the village of Doolin as the centre of traditional Irish music. But Micho possessed other talents; he was a repository of knowledge, of old tales, tunes and traditions. His death in 1994 was a great loss. John Doorty based this play on his friendship with Micho. He narrates ancedotes and stories as himself, but also transforms into Micho. The play tells of Micho's life from a child learning to play to a feted musician. Throughout one message remains, that of Micho's dedication to old traditions. His life story is interspersed with bursts of energetic music and dance. This is music that Micho himself played - "The Three Kilfenora Reels", "The Yellow Wattle"; here performed by Michael Hynes, Tommy McCarthy and John Crombie. The Vaughan's Barn Set Dancers are self-explanatory, but they also perform some sean-nos dancing. The star of the show is the remarkably agile dancer Aisling Devlin. The set (designed by Dolores Lyne) aptly captures the different elements involved. It's not intrusive, but its very shape evokes music with its flowing lines, as well as representing the wild landscape. If anything the play lacked a little continuity, but this should be ironed out by future performances. It's a fitting tribute to Micho Russell, celebrating his music and traditions. Forget Riverdance, this is the real thing. This is where it all began. > > > > > > > > > FILM REVIEW < < < < < < < < < "Sweety Barrett" Dir. Stephen Bradley Features: Brendan Gleeson, Liam Cunningham, Mikel Murfi, Raymond Keane "Sweety Barrett" marks the film debut of director Stephen Bradley, and it boasts an impressive cast. Brendan Gleeson is Sweety of the title, a hulking, strong man who is an innocent in the world. Living and working in a circus, where he is "the swallower", he is given his marching orders by the ringmaster (Brendan Carroll). Sweety gathers his possessions and leaves, but ends up in a dockside town where, due to his strength, he finds a job clearing a yard. He is actually in the employ of a poitin smuggling ring, overseen by the corrupt Detective Bone (Liam Cunningham). Bone holds the dockside community in his thrall. Reflecting this, the atmosphere is tense; the lighting is dark mirroring the seething emotions at play. Through Sweety's friendship with a young boy, he becomes Bone's arch enemy and the only one prepared to face him. To be honest, "Sweety Barrett" left me cold. I felt that it was excessively dark and gloomy; I quickly lost interest in the plot. That said, Brendan Gleeson delivers a fine performance, and Liam Cunningham acts well, too. I hope to see more from Bradley in the future - "Sweety Barrett" wasn't my cup of tea - but, as always, see what you think yourself. > > > > > > > > > NEWS < < < < < < < < < THEATRE - The actor Oliver Reed, who moved to Churchtown, Co. Cork, six years ago, died this month in Malta. The English actor, most noted for his performance in "Women In Love", and is now buried at Churchtown, near Buttevant. Locals there have criticised the media's intrusiveness which followed his death. VISUAL ARTS - Dublin Corporation's decision to erect a millennium monument in O'Connell Street has been challenged. Leave has been granted to allow sculptors Mary Dunivya and Michael O Nuallain seek orders to prevent any work on the monument, the design of which was chosen by competition. The proposed design is a 400ft steel memorial, known commonly as "The Spike". Both Ms Dunivya and Mr O Nuallain entered the competition and both claim that the winning design departed from the parameters ordained by the corporation. The former has referred to "The Spike" as "..an anorexic, alien body". FILM - Two documentaries by the Parsival Company premiered in the Town Hall Theatre in Galway during May. The first, dealing with the Famine Sculpture by John Behan, led us through the creative process to the finished product and its official opening at the foot of Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo. The second focused on the Kenny family of Galway and their famous bookshop, chronicling its development since it was opened by Maureen and the late Tom Kenny in the 1940s. A large crowd attended the very enjoyable event, including John Behan and many members of the extended Kenny family. - Bord Scannan na hEireann/The Irish Film Board, which is based in Galway, is looking to appoint a business manager to promote the creative and the commercial development of the Irish film Industry. See the advertisement on our Web pages at: http://www.emigrant.ie/pro/p201/ifb.htm or send mailto:film@iol.ie for further details. - It's that time of year again, and the beautiful people descend upon Cannes for the annual film festival. This year they were be joined by a small Irish contingent. Irish films participating included Angelica Heuston's "Agnes Brown", Damien O'Donnell's "East is East" and "The Last September", based on Elizabeth Bowen's novel of the same name. One "Oirish" film which fell at the first hurdle is "Shergar", starring Mickey Rourke. The film centres on the racehorse's life after his famous abduction, which sees him escaping from a Clare farm with a young stable boy. Filmed once again in the Isle of Man, it has been panned by critics. - The Kerry landscape won plenty of admirers when David Lean used it as the location for "Ryan's Daughter". Now Kerry hopes to capitalise on this association, with the establishment of the Kerry Screen Commission. It has already developed a strong marketing plan for the region, and will assist production companies by providing information regarding access, locations, accommodation and facilities. The Commission has assisted Parzival Productions with "Most Important", which won the first time director award for P.J. Dillon at this year's Celtic Film Festival. - Liam Neeson, who can be seen in the latest Star Wars film, "The Phantom Menace", has announced that he is leaving filmmaking. He has described actors as being treated like "puppets", and intends to spend more time with his children and acting in the theatre on his retirement. His co-star in "The Phantom Menance", Ewan McGregor, will arrive in Ireland shortly to commence filming "Nora", based on the life of Nora Barnacle. McGregor takes the role of James Joyce, while Susan Lynch ("Waking Ned") plays Nora. - New Irish films which have opened recently include "Crushproof" and "A Love Divided". Paul Tickell's "Crushproof", an urban crime drama, opens in selected cinemas. Syd Macartney's "A Love Divided" however, opens on general release, and will be reviewed next month. This is a factually based drama set in 1950s Wexford focusing on the Boyle family who ran into major difficulties with the Catholic Church because the parents were of different religions. - The Film Society of Lincoln Center, New York, present "Coming Times: New Irish Cinema" from May 28 - June 10 at the Walter Reade Theatre. "Coming Times" showcases sharp, innovative Irish films. It opens with two US premieres; the romantic comedy "Separation Anxiety", and the apocalyptic "Sunset Heights". Also featured on the opening day is "Trojan Eddie", Gillies MacKinnin's 1996 film. There is also a tribute to director Neil Jordan, who joins the celebration for his retrospective. Other films showcased include "Crush Proof", "2by4", "I Went Down", "Korea", "Nothing Personal" and more! There is literally something here for everyone. Contact the Lincoln Center website for more information at http://www.filmlinc.com. GENERAL - Watch out this summer for an innovative cultural event. Traders in the area Supporting the Cultural Quarter (or TASCQ) are announcing free, quality, outdoor events for all ages in Temple Bar, Dublin. This has already kicked off with the ESB Sunday Circus and street theatre. For more information, take a look at their website at www.temple-bar.ie. - Mick Lally launched the Galway Arts Festival on May 18. Taking place from July 10-25, it is also to receive special funding as an official millennium festival. Some of the theatre highlights include: . "Site": produced by Galway Arts Festival and Fir Clis, this takes an askance view of the property boom; . "Once": a fairytale from the Russian company Devero; . "Shockheaded Peter": A junk opera from the British Cultural Industry; . "Car Show" from the Corn Exchange; . "Hello Mr. Jo": a fantastic outdoor spectacle from the French La Comagnie Jo Bithume. Details were also released of the Millennium Wild Weekend, with free events, parades, performances and street spectacles. > > > > > > > > > WHAT'S ON < < < < < < < < < MUSIC - The Saw Doctors will begin their biggest ever US tour on Saturday May 22 in Portland OR at the Aladdin Theatre. Sat May 22 Portland, OR. - Aladdin Theatre Sun May 23 Seattle, WA - Showbox Showroom Tue May 25 San Francisco - The Justice League Wed May 26 Santa Cruz, CA - Palookaville Fri May 28 Sonora, CA - Strawberry Music Festival Sat May 29 Santa Ana, CA - The Galaxie Sun May 30 Redondo Beach, CA - Club Caprice Tue June 1 Phoenix, AZ - The Dubliner Thu June 3 Los Angeles, CA - House of Blues On stage 9.30 10.30 p.m. with Old 97s Fri June 4 Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up Tavern Sat June 5 San Francisco, CA - Guinness Fleadh Tue June 8 Boulder, CO. - Fox Theatre Wed June 9 Kansas City, MO - The Hurricane Fri June 11 Milwaukee, WI - Shank Hall Sat June 12 Chicago, IL - Guinness Fleadh Sun June 13 Cleveland, OH - The Odeon Tue June 15 Towson, MD - Recher Theatre Wed June 16 Alexandria, VA - Birchmere Fri June 18 Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory With Shane McGowan Sat June 19 Boston, MA - Guinness Fleadh Sun June 20 Pittsburg, PA - Hartwood Amphitheatre Tue June 22 Saratoga Springs, NY - Parting Glass Thu June 24 Mahwah NJ - Ramapo College Fri June 25 Portland, ME - State Theatre Sat June 26 New York, NY - Guinness Fleadh THEATRE - Currently running at the Abbey as part of the National Theatre Society's Friel Festival, is Brian Friel's "Freedom of the City". Directed by Conall Morrison, the play examines Derry's Bloody Sunday, with some civil rights protesters seeking refuge from the riots, in the Mayor's office. It has not been staged at the Abbey since its premiere in 1973. For booking phone +353-1-8787222. - At the Gate Theatre is another Friel play, "Aristocrats". This play concerns the disintegration of a family in Ballybeg, Donegal. Directed by Ben Barnes, the cast includes Donna Dent, Frank McCusker and Catherine Byrne. Contact +353-1-8744045. - At the Peacock Theatre until June 19, is Brian Friel's "Living Quarters", which is also part of the Friel Festival. Directed by Jason Bryne, it is set in a small Donegal town in the late 1970s. "Living Quarters" brings together all the members of one family, now scattered all over the world, in the imaginary reconstruction of the events that drove them apart. It stars Cathy Belton, Charlie Bonner, Tony Flynn and Clive Geraghty. Thomas Kilroy is the guest speaker for the post-show discussion on June 8, and admission to this is free. For more information contact +353-1-878222. - Druid, fresh from their Tony nominations, will open John Murphy's "The Country Boy" at the Town Hall Theatre, Galway on June 1. Directed by Garry Hynes, it stars Eamonn Morrissey, Cillian Murphy and Stella McCusker. Set in the '50s, it tells the story of Eddie, who returns home after some years with his American wife, and discovers that his younger brother would like to return with him. It will tour the following dates: June 14-19 Civic Theatre, Tallaght June 21-26 Belltable Arts Centre Limerick Booking is at +353-91-569777. - Barabbas, who were so successful with their adaptation of Lennox Robinson's "The Whiteheaded Boy", stage "Hupnouse" at the Project @ the Mint. The script was commissioned by Barabbas from Charlie O'Neil and is directed by Barabbas member Raymond Keane. As well as Mikel Murfi and Veronica Coburn, the cast includes Simon O'Gorman. The play examines the interaction between three strange people. For booking contact -353-1850-260027. EXHIBITIONS - Continuing at IMMA is "Joseph Beuys Multiples". Drawn primarily from the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, this exhibition is the largest display of Beuys' work ever seen in Ireland, and includes may of his best known and most influential works. This exhibition is also travelling to the Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha; the Barbican Art Gallery, London; the San Jose Museum of Art, and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, Florida. Their permanent collection can also be viewed. For further information contact +353-1-6129900 or their website at www.modernart.ie. - At the Kenny Gallery, Galway is "Peaceful Reflections" an exhibition of watercolours by Joan Webb. A painter for 40 years, this is Webb's eighth show at the Kenny Gallery. A traditional watercolorist, Webb has a distinctive style, drawing inspiration from the nature in her environment. Some paintings here reflect her feelings on Ballinaboy, in which she spends her summers, and a visit to Connemara surely influenced her vivid, glowing depictions of bogs. Mailto:orla@kennys for more information, or see their website www.kennys.ie. - You could still catch the last few days of "Links and Connections" at An Damhlann, Spiddal, Co. Galway. With graphics by Margaret Irwin and ceramics by her daughter Katharine West, the exhibition emphasises the family links between the artists, and the links between their work. Opening May 30 until June 24 is "Sky Larks", an exhibition of new oil paintings from Geraldine Folan. Thirty-five oil paintings capture the sky in its many moods - from black clouds, wild storms and beautiful sunsets. This marks an impressive solo debut from Folan, and is an exhibition not to be missed. Contact the Kenny Gallery (details above) for more information. - "Palimpsest", an exhibition of recent prints by Siobhan Piercy, runs at the Sligo Art Gallery until May 29. These screenprints are extremely complex, and some draw inspiration from Dante's The Divine Comedy. Following this, Sligo Art Gallery hosts exhibitions as part of the Arts Festival, details of which are given below. For more information contact +353-71-545847. SLIGO ART FESTIVAL - I know it's summer, not because it's warmer but because the Sligo Arts Festival is nearly upon us. Running from May 28-June 7 the festival builds on last year's success by frontlining quality international acts, especially in music (take a look at their ETHNO Music Project). Too much is going on to include here, but some of the highlights are: Theatre: . Co-opera's "Carmen" May 30 . Abbey's "Love in the Title" June 1-15 Visual arts: . Tony and Jane O'Malley's print exhibition at the Sligo Art Gallery . Catherine McWilliams' paintings at the same venue . Strategic window installations by Sligo I.T. and P.L.C. students all over town. . The festival has its own fringe festival, and the Massive Millennium Day Out (June 6) which promises fun for all the family. Contact its website: http://homepage.tinet.ie/~arts =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The Irish Emigrant Arts Review Cathedral Building, Middle Street, Galway, Ireland. Editor: Miriam Stewart Tel: +353-91-569158 Email: miriam@emigrant.ie Fax: +353-91-569178 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytire-05.23.99-00:41:57-13461