Romeo and Juliet

26 February 2010

Opera Ireland is all loved up this spring season, pairing Gounod's lush opera from 1867 with Bellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi (in concert performance). French soprano Nathalie Manfrino (left) is Juliette to US tenor Michael Sprye's Romeo, and the production is given a well-upholstered Victorian setting by Annilese Miskimmon, on loan from Opera Theatre Company, where she is artistic director. Matchmakers in the opera world will be watching this courtship keenly. With the RTÉ Concert Orchestra at The Gaiety, Dublin, until 7 March. www.operaireland.ie

The Party

08 February 2010

Anu Productions are on a roll: straight from their site-specific glimpse into transient lives in hotel rooms, Memory Deleted, at Limerick's UnFringed Festival, comes a new lunchtime show at Bewley's Café Theatre, Dublin. Caitríona Ní Mhurchú plays an unfulfilled married woman in the long nineteenth century, out of sync and sympathy with the mood around her, uneasy in her own skin. Directed by Sophie Motley, adapted from Chekhov's short story of the same title, this is a treat for Chekhov fans – or even for those who thought they weren't. See Sara Keating's review. Runs until February 20th,  www.bewleyscafetheatre.com

Theatre Upstairs @ the Plough

23 January 2010

We don't get to see many 'tea-time' shows outside of festival periods, and they're all the more welcome in a recessionary January. Upstairs above Lanigan's Plough bar on Dublin's Lower Abbey Street, audiences are being offered an early evening show (€10 for ticket and drink) and a lunchtime show (€10 for ticket plus soup). This great new initiative from Karl Shiels, Paul Walker and Andy Cummins got off to a strong start until water shortages intervened. Performances have been resumed this week (from January 27th), with Decked, written and directed by Paul Walker, and Missing Football by Peter McKenna, directed by John Cronin. 

Their Facebook page (Theatre Upstairs @ the Plough) has the latest updates. 

Theatre of Witness Project

13 January 2010

We Carried Your Secrets is the production created by the Theatre of Witness Project at The Playhouse, Derry (left). Bringing together people of all ages in Northern Ireland whose lives have been affected by the Troubles, its participants are from both sides of the political divide. Led by the US dancer and facilitator Teya Sepinuck, who has worked in conflict zones internationally, the cast explores aspects of reconciliation and memory, in a devised theatrical form. Music is by Brian Irvine, with filmed images by John McIllduff. Co-funded by the EU Peace III Programme, Donegal County Council and the Holywell Trust, it has been touring since its opening at The Playhouse in October. 

David Grant reviews the Belfast performance here. For further information about the next phase of the project see www.theatreofwitness.org