And this is how I will get what I want, ladies...

For their fifth production since restarting in 2008, Kilkenny Youth Theatre told the story  of Gormenghast.  This production was based on the legendary trilogy of books by Mervyn Peake and the stage adaptation was written by John Constable.

Amongst the dark and cold, granite walls of Gormenghast Castle an heir is born, Titus Groan, the 77th Earl of Groan.  The son of ineffectual father and a distant mother, who are bound by iron laws, dead rituals and traditions that have been obeyed for generations and must be obeyed by the generations to come.

As Titus Groan becomes a young man, he wants nothing more than to go beyond the Iron Gate into the free world and to leave behind the chains of ritual and rules that bind him.  He wants to be free.

In the depths of the crumbling castle, a kitchen boy sees himself as more than his ghastly beginnings.  He wants Gormenghast. At each given opportunity he raises himself up through the ranks of the castle and he will stop at nothing: coercion, seduction, murder.

In the half-lit corridors, we see how their lives entwine and their destinies collide, until the very existence of Gormenghast is shaken to its core.

This production was very well received and pushed the boundaries of design and performance for Kilkenny Youth Theatre.  It was chosen to show how the seemingly impossible was possible using theatre language  and form.

Gormenghast ran from 19th -  21st April at The Barn, featuring a cast of sixteen young people from Kilkenny city and county was directed by Anna Galligan.

Photos by Redbird Photography

Each group will work towards a short theatrical piece. During the week they will look at the skills needed in creating and performing a piece of theatre including acting, voice, devising and improvisation.

The workshops will also encourage the development of confidence and social skills. All the sessions will be delivered knowing it’s the summer holidays so enjoyment and fun will also be high on the agenda.

If you are interested please read the information below and fill in a registration form or contact Anna at anna@barnstorm.ie or 056 7751266.

Where? The Barn, Church Lane, Kilkenny (behind St Canice’s Cathedral)

When? 9^th – 13^th July

10am -1pm             11-13 yrs.

2pm – 5pm              14 + yrs.

• The cost is €75, with a 10% discount for members of the same family
• Contact Anna for a registration form – anna@barnstorm.ie
• Places are reserved on a first come first served basis and cannot be guaranteed until a deposit is received
• Parental consent, a registration form and a non-refundable deposit of €30 is required to secure a place
• Please make cheques payable to: Barnstorm Theatre Company

Primary school students from across the Longford region recently attended a performance of “A Murder of Crows” presented by Barnstorm Theatre Company at Backstage Theatre.  The students were invited to write a review of the show and to draw their favourite scene from the play.  There were lots of entries for the art competition making it very difficult to choose a winner but Petra Hikkerová, aged 10, from St Josephs NS managed to capture the spirit of the play and the theatre experience making hers the overall winner.  Whilst there were also plenty of excellent reviews of the show, the one that stood out was Rachael Flanagan’s from 6^th class in Fairymount NS, Castlerea.  Well done to everyone who took the time to enter the competition, a selection of the runner up reviews and pictures will be on display at the theatre.

Janice Belton – Backstage Theatre

“A Murder of Crows” is an eerie, atmospheric play that will send shivers down your spine and cause goose-bumps to appear on your arms.  The story-line is very similar to the well-known fairytale, Hansel and Gretel.

It begins with a very distraught family burying their dead mother in a forest.  She has died from hunger and the father of the family is afraid that his children will die too if he doesn’t’ find more for them to eat!  Not long after the mother’s death, the father remarries.  The children aren’t too keen on their new stepmother…

While all this is going on, a murder of crows is watching from the trees.  They too, are hungry and are waiting for the family to die so they can eat their dead bodies (Yuk!).  I’m not going to go into details with the rest of the play and ruin it for you but what I will say is be prepared to shed some tears, gasp in horror and sigh with happiness at the end (it has a happy ending!)

I would highly recommend this play to, not only children, but to adults too.  It’s got everything a good play needs.  Wit, adventure, excitement, atmosphere, happiness, sadness and best of all, fun!

By Rachael Flanagan
6^th Class, Fairymount N.S, Castlerea, Co Roscommon.

Gormenghast features a cast of sixteen young people from Kilkenny city and county who vividly bring to life a world of murder, seduction, rebellion and gore, and is directed by Anna Galligan. Gormenghast contains some mild language, and is suitable for anyone who likes black humour, the macabre, blood and owls.

Gormenghast is based on the legendary trilogy of books by Mervyn Peake and the stage adaptation was written by John Constable

When: 19th, 20th & 21st April at 8pm/ Matinee 21^st April at 3pm,

Where: The Barn, Barnstorm Theatre Company, Church Lane, Kilkenny (behind St. Canice’s Cathedral).

Tickets: €10/€8 conc.

Bookings: 056 7751266 or by emailing anna@barnstorm.ie.

Click here for more information on A Murder of Crows National Tour…

Bits, Bites & Pieces

Following their debut, Shorts 11,  Barnstorm’s Adult Theatre Club continued to perfect their acting skills and began to tackle the role of ‘The Director’.  The fruits of their labour were seen at The Barn in February 2012 when Bits, Bites and Pieces hit the stage.

Now responsible for front of house and what happened on the stage the ATC transformed The Barn into the intimate setting of a cabaret club where patrons enjoyed wine and nibbles at café style tables while being entertained.  Happening during Valentine’s week, Bits, Bites and Pieces looked at love from all angles, and more so what happens after the usual ‘happy ever afters’ associated with romances.

Each group member chose a monologue or piece that they would like to perform.  They then teamed up with another member of the group who would like to direct that specific piece.  Each director then also became responsible for the set, costume, lighting and sound for the piece.  It was the perfect way to show case the wide range of talents the group had developed over its two years.

With all sorts of life and theatre experience between them, the members, who hail from all over Kilkenny and further afield, were Joe Nolan, Paul Derby, Ann Daly, Deirdre Dowling, Ann Jones, Tanya long, Cara Doherty, Caroline O’Hanrahan and Melissa Quirke.

The night included monologues, poetry and song.  Theatre pieces included were The Care and Feeding of Baby Birds by Ann Weuhler, Between daylight and Boonville by Matt Williams, The New Electric Ballroom by Enda Walsh, A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekov, Molly Sweeny by Brian Friel, Shirley Valentine by Willy Russell, Art by Yasmina Reza, Molly Bloom by James Joyce  and two pieces from Brian Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa.  There was also two original pieces written by group members: Lights in the Dark by Cara O’Doherty and Draft 1.0 by Ann Jones

Poetry included Daily Bread by Jane Clarke, Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare, The Big Boys by Rita Ann Higgins, Fern Hill by Dylan Thomas, The Stolen Child by W.B Yeats,  He Wishes for Cloths From Heaven by W.B Yeats

There were two songs included: Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen and Gold written by group member Paul Derby.

‘Working with the Adult Theatre Club has opened my eyes to the excitement of all aspects of putting on a stage performance’ said Joe Nolan

At the time, Tanya Long, another member said ‘With the production night fast approaching the skills and experience gained in the last two years with the group are being put to good use’.

Bits, Bites and Pieces, a relaxing evening of wine, nibbles, monologues and more… happened in The Barn, Church Lane, Kilkenny on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 February.

Bits, Bites & Pieces - Rehearsals

The Adult Theatre Club members are presenting their own Cabaret Nights in The Barn on Wed 15th and Thurs 16th February. There is a great programme on offer with  monologues, excerpts and poetry, directed by the members. Bits, Bites & Pieces will be presented in a club style in The Barn where the audience will sample wine and nibbles while watching the proceedings on two stages. Booking 056 7751266

Production Team:

Jim Carroll (Michael)
Mary Cody (Maggie)
Nicola Keating (Agnes)
Janis Woodgate (Rose)
Sinéad Goggin (Chrissie)
Dee Gibney (Kate)
Michael Sommer (Fr Jack)
John Whitely (Gerry Evans)

Trish Brennan (Director)
Ita Morrissey (Assistant Director)
Sheila Kirby (Stage Management)
Claire Sheehan (Stage Management)
Neal Sherrin (Production Manager)
Harry Harris (Set Design & Build)
Bernie McCoy (Costume Design Consultant)

The Adult Theatre Club (ATC) is a two year training programme that provides opportunities for adults in the region to explore, train and create theatre with a professional theatre company.

How can I join?

ATC takes on new members every two years, the next opportunity being September 2012.  You can let Barnstorm know of your interested at any time by contacting  056-7751266 or anna@barnstorm.ie.

All those interested are invited to an open information evening at the beginning of September, which allows them to sample a drama workshop and provides an opportunity to ask questions.  First term begins the following week.

What happens then?

Workshops run every Wednesday 7pm – 9 pm from September to May of both years.  Specialist training, presentations and productions require further time commitment which is arranged in advance.

Year one concentrates on acting and performance skills – in the latter half of the year the members research short plays or excerpts from plays to bring to the stage as a first public performance for the group.  These excerpts or ‘Shorts’ are directed by experienced directors, which in the past have included Barnstorm’s Artistic Director, Philip Hardy.

Year two sees the members continue acting, while developing  other skills  in Stage Management, Design, and Directing. Members will subsequently direct each other in monologues or script excerpts and these are presented in a unique production ‘Cabaret Nights’ to the general public in The Barn Theatre.

After this process the ATC group amalgamates with the Barn Owl Players, an innovative amateur theatre company, consisting of previously trained members of the ATC. BOP has a full and varied annual programme of training and productions in The Barn, the Watergate Theatre and other local venues.

How much is it?

The annual membership fee for ATC is €350. This includes a registration fee of €50 on acceptance of a place and then €100 per term.  There is flexibility within reason to how term fees are paid and there are a limited number of scholarships available.

John Whitely & Jim Carroll in The Dumb Waiter

The Barn Owl Players

In 2007, after much demand from the public Barnstorm, Kilkenny’s professional theatre company, decided to create opportunities for the adults in Kilkenny (& the southeast) to explore the art of theatre from acting, to stage management to design and more. The Adult Drama Club was initiated to be a place to socialise and learn about theatre, to go to shows and discuss the aspects of production afterwards in a fun yet critically positive environment. A second ADC group was formed in 2009 and members from both groups are now the Barn Owl Players with a growing reputation for exciting and innovative theatre projects in Kilkenny. BOP members continue their training while producing a number projects throughout the year.

In September 2010 a new group was formed as the Adult Theatre Club and later this year, after initial training and with a few projects under their belts, these members will become part of the Barn Owl Players.

The members of Barn Owl Players are constantly looking for new challenges in the development of theatre skills. In 2010 the first One-Act Theatre Festival was launched to tremendous success and in 2011 BOP presented its 2nd One-Act Festival, this time the pieces were directed, designed, stage managed and produced by the members.

2011 also saw the members devise and produce a unique evening of theatre in The Hole in the Wall on High Street for St Valentine’s weekend.

The Barn Owl Players are preparing a full-length production of Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel for the Watergate Theatre 29-31 March 2012.

Productions & Projects:

Shorts 08 (2008)
A series of short plays directed by Barnstorm staff and presented in The Barn

The Whiteheaded Boy (2008)
A full-length 3-act play by Lennox Robinson presented in the Watergate Theatre

Shorts 09 (2009)
Another series of short plays directed by Barnstorm staff and presented by the new ADC in The Barn

Cabaret Nights @ The Barn (2009)
Members directed each other in monologues that were presented in a ‘cabaret-style’ in The Barn – audiences were seated at individual tables surrounded by paintings and glitz, and, while performances took place on stages at either end of the room, were fed wine and titbits. (to back page)

Halloween Tales (2009)
Members of the Barn Owl Players created a show for children that involved Celtic Folklore and Legend based on Halloween and the horror tale. Children (and parents) were encouraged to bring along a duvet, blanket or pillow for this treat that was presented in The Barn on 31st Oct.

Christmas Crackers (2009)
The company re-visited the Cabaret Nights module to present a festive fare that thrilled audiences on the run-up to Christmas. This time mulled wine and mince pies added to the enjoyment of short performances, poems and songs to celebrate the season in The Barn.

Anything…But Peig (2010)
The second group of adults had been developing theatre skills over the previous year and presented their version of Cabaret Nights with an Irish flavour in celebration of St Patrick’s Day.

One-Act Festival (2010)
BOP produced the first festival which comprised of two programmes with five plays presented in The Barn over a week.

Christmas Crackers (2010)
Pieces were chosen and cast, directors elected and rehearsals well under way when the great snow of 2010 hit! We had to postpone and then cancel this one when January arrived.

Love Is… (2011)
But like true troopers the BOP rose to another challenge and in a short time created a memorable evening of Love with poetry, song and drama, for romantics & cynics alike, that was presented in The Hole in the Wall on High Street.

Shorts 11 (2011)
The new Adult Theatre Club took to the stage in the tradition of previous members and produced  four play excerpts in a full evening presentation in The Barn.

2nd Annual One-Act Festival (2011)
Two plays The Dumb Waiter by Harold Pinter and The Donahue Sisters by Geraldine Aron directed, designed, stage managed and produced by the members.

Cabaret Nights (2012)
Members direct each other in an evening of monologues, excerpts and poetry presented in The Barn in the unique setting of a club.

For further information contact 0567751266 or anna@barnstorm.ie or philip@barnstorm.ie

'Oh, how do I join?'

How do I join Kilkenny Youth Theatre?

Barnstorm Theatre Company has two youth theatre groups: Senior (SYT) for those 14+ yrs. and Junior (JYT) for 11-13 yrs.  They both come under the heading Kilkenny Youth Theatre (KYT) and run from September to May/June.

KYT only takes in new members each September.  The closing date each year for applications is the 31^st of August.  Those interested can apply at any time during the year.

Contact Anna at 056 7751266 or anna@barnstorm to get an application form.

Where either group is over-subscribed, open workshops are held during the first full week in September when the ways we work are demonstrated and an informal Question & Answer session about the youth theatre is held.

Though KYT tries to make room for everyone who is interested, this is not always possible due to resources and numbers.  If there needs to be a selection of new members from those interested, it is based on the gender, geographical and age breakdown of the current group and the applicant’s reason for joining, and their participation in the open workshop.

About Kilkenny Youth Theatre

Founded in 1991, KYT’s main aim is to produce theatre by young people for young people.  The youth theatre is child and young person centred and concentrates on drama and theatre skills.  There is no previous experience or a wish to have a career in theatre required.

The programme includes weekly workshops (concurrent with the school year) and one production a year.  In the past youth theatre members have taken part in the South East Network of Youth Theatre Festivals, youth theatre workshop exchanges and numerous National Festivals of Youth Theatres.

The workshops are facilitated by Outreach Officer Anna Galligan.  Anna was member of a youth theatre, has trained and worked as a professional actor and created Ireland’s only full time accredited drama facilitation course, ArtsTrain.

Senior Youth Theatre

SYT runs on Tuesday from 5.30 – 7.30pm.  The annual production takes place in the week following the Easter school holidays.  There is an additional time commitment expected for rehearsals, however consideration is given to other commitments e.g. exams, school etc.

Junior Youth Theatre

JYT runs on Monday from 4.30 – 6pm.  The year finishes in summer with a performance showcase for parents and friends.  There is no or minimal additional time commitment expected.

Cost

The annual membership fee for KYT is €225. This includes a registration fee of €75 on acceptance of a place.  There is flexibility within reason to how the balance is paid.  There is a discount of €25 per sibling and there are a limited number of scholarships available.

Recent Youth Theatre productions

SYT:
Gormanghast by Mervyn Peake, adapted by John Constable (2012)
Paving Paradise by Richard Conlon (2011)
A Vampire Story by Moira Buffini (2010)
Burying Your Brother in the Pavement by (2009)
The Exam by Andy Hamilton (2008)

JYT:
Don’t Shoot the Messenger by John Morton in collaboration with the members (2012)
Beowulf adapted by the members (2011)
Julius Caesar by Shakespeare – abridged (2010)
Mythika devised by the members (2009)
The Dahl Project devised by the members (2008)

If you have any further questions please contact Anna on 056 7751266 or at anna@barnstorm.ie