Arts news – First Taibhdhearc show on ‘new' stage

A LONG tradition of Irish language theatre continues with the first production on the stage of the refurbished Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe next week. Since its closing almost five years ago, the Taibhdhearc company continued to produce plays, but in other venues. The first drama in the 'new' theatre is Scorach by Páraic Breathnach. He has a life-long association with the theatre, having first attended plays there in his school days. He has worked in the theatre as a set-builder, a designer, an actor, producer, director and writer and he says he 'is delighted to be back working in An Taibhdhearc again'. Scorach celebrates the various techniques of telling a story in the theatre. The myth of a hero in Connemara during the famine times is presented on stage using song, music, dance, puppets, storytelling and drama. This a snapshot of life during the Famine and although it is set during difficult times it celebrates friendship, love and loyalty. The show is basically sad but, as in life, there are lighthearted and comic moments and a sense of pride in Scorach. The play is essentially an entertainment exploring the nature of heroes and the myths that grow up around them. Is the story true? Did such a hero exist? And did he do those great deeds attributed to him? In Scorach, these questions are examined and promptly ignored because nobody wants the truth to ruin a good story. Breathnach wrote Scorach for Acadamh na Gaeilge some years ago. In Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe's production, Páraic directs his own play, set design is by Dara McGee, lighting design by Mike Byrne, Rod Goodall is choreographer and Charmian Goodall is costume designer. The cast includes Séamus Ó hAodha, ÃÂine Ní Dhroighneáin, Micheál Ó Dubhghaill, Neasa Ní Chuanaigh, Peadar Ó Treasaigh, ÃÂine Ní Laoghaire, Dónall Ó hÉalaí, Féilim Ó hAoláin, Lúc Ó Riada and the Musical Director is Colm Gannon. The show runs from November 13 to 17 at 8 pm. Tickets €17/12. Dramsoc Centenary Ball THIS year NUI Galway Dramsoc celebrates its 100th birthday. To mark the occasion, the NUIG Dramsoc Centenary Ball will take place on November 17 in the Galway Bay Hotel. In 1912, NUIG students first performed theatre under the Dramsoc banner. One hundred years later, Dramsoc is still going from strength to strength with over 1,000 members and eight productions in the first semester alone,' remarked ÃÂine Cahalan, Auditor of the Dramsoc. Dramsoc has contributed significantly to theatre in NUI Galway and Galway city itself. Most recently, members took part in the Galway Theatre Festival's 24-hour theatre and will be performing Philadelphia, Here I Come in November in Druid Theatre. Dramsoc has led to the formation of many theatre companies and its members have been recognised at a national and international level, most recently Druid's success with their â€ËœDruid Murphy' tour. To celebrate the continuing successes of Dramsoc members, past and present members will be present on the night to honour the past century of the society. The ball begins at 7 pm with a wine reception with music from NUI Galway Orchestra Socety. Music on the night is by Converse All Stars. Ms Cahalan added: 'We urge former members not to miss out on this wonderful opportunity to reunite with old and new Dramsoc members.' Tickets are €45 for students and €50 for alumni. Tickets are available from NUI Galway Socs Box or to purchase online contact 100thnuigdramsoc@gmail.com. Classical and Irish in THT concert ANTHONY Kearns of the Irish tenors (Kearns, Tynan, Wright) performs in the Town Hall Theatre on Friday Nov 16 with accompanist Patrick Healy. The programme is a mix of classical, Irish, popular opera and comedy which will appeal particularly to the more mature music lovers. Accompanist Patrick Healy has been compared to Victor Borge in the way he delivers his stories which are interpersed throughout the concert. Any fan of John Count McCormack, Nicolai Gedda, Edith Piaf to our own Moore's Melodies and Percy French will enjoy this concert.