Tag Archives: kilkenny

2024 Youth Drama and Dance Camp for young people this summer.

Develop confidence & interpersonal skills through drama and dance

and have some fun…

8 – 11 years  10am – 1pm

12 – 15 years 2pm – 5pm

Book Online Here:

1-5 July Dance Camp 

8-12 July Drama Camp 

Just €100 10% concessions for siblings 

Join us at Barnstorm Theatre Company for a summer filled with creativity, laughter, and unforgettable memories! 🌞🎭💃

Barnstorm Theatre Company has been a cornerstone of Kilkenny’s arts scene, nurturing young talent and producing exceptional theatre for over three decades. 

Our facilitators:

Jo Hennessey is a trained actor and qualified with a Masters of Teaching Primary and a Secondary Diploma of Education. She has taught across both sectors as a Primary Classroom Teacher and a Specialist Teacher in Drama and is committed to fostering collaborative educational environments.

Cindy Cummings is a dance artist (choreographer/performer/tutor) whose practice integrates dance, theatre and live art. Since 1986 she has created collaborative works with dance, theatre, visual, sound, literary and media artists around the world for live performance, installation and film. Cindy is based in Co Kilkenny where she worked on The Local, The Big Chapel X and Everything Must Go with Asylum Productions. Cindy has also worked extensively with Equinox Theatre Company and is currently a facilitator on the Inclusive Dance Cork course at Dance Cork Firkin Crane. Since 2007 Cindy has been a member of Aosdána.

Tara Landers started dancing from a very young age. She commenced her professional dance training in The College of Dance, Dublin and then went on to study in Fontys, The Netherlands where she studied contemporary, dance theatre and choreography. After returning to Ireland, she began working with Janice de Broithe and Slapdash Theatre Co. Tara choreographed and produced numerous shows and Cabarets with Janice, such as, The Wizard of OZ, Alice in Wonderland and, an original production of Treasure Island, to name but a few. Tara also works with transition year students in local schools doing drama, vocal, and dance workshops. Tara also produces and choreographs their school musicals. Tara’s ethos is to encourage everyone, regardless of race, gender, identity, to gain confidence in themselves and to help everyone express themselves in an open, free and friendly environment.

In a delightful collision of wit, tragedy, and unexpected connections, “Commencing” by Jane Shepard takes centre stage at Barnstorm’s Lunchtime Theatre series. This award-winning short play invites audiences to witness the magic of a blind date gone awry, where two people find themselves on a journey that defies expectations.

Kelli and her blind date, both quick-witted and unafraid to speak their minds, are deeply marked by their past experiences. Their hope for the future shines through, even as they grapple with unexpected twists.

“Commencing” invites us to reflect on life’s complexities, all while keeping the audience guessing. Prepare for a blend of humour and unexpected connections that will leave you pondering long after the curtain falls.

Performance Details:

• Venue: Barnstorm Studio, 3 John’s Quay, Kilkenny R95T382
• Dates: 24 to 28 June 2024 weekdays at 1pm sharp
• Tickets: Available online at Gr8 Events or on the door

Don’t miss this lunchtime treat—join us for “Commencing” and experience the magic of unexpected encounters.

For media inquiries, please contact: Philip Hardy 056 7751266

Barnstorm’s Lunchtime Theatre series is dedicated to bringing quality theatrical experiences to our community during the lunch hour. Our intimate venue provides a unique setting for short plays, allowing audiences to escape the daily grind and immerse themselves in captivating stories while eating lunch.

Following the amazing success of its inaugural lunchtime theatre presentation last summer, Barnstorm has another treat for Kilkenny audiences who will be spellbound by Tennessee William’s classic short play ‘Something Unspoken’ this June

“Williams’ masterpiece, which delves into the depth of forbidden love, is an emotional rollercoaster, and this Kilkenny production has been an absolute pleasure to develop” says Joanne Hennessy who directs. “We chose this piece in response to Pride Month in Kilkenny and we are looking forward to sharing the work with everyone.”

Two stalwarts of local theatre, Mags Whitely and Natasha Murray are set to present the new show in Barnstorm’s studio theatre in a lunchtime offering that should entertain and intrigue audiences. Both actors have a long history in the Kilkenny theatre community, having been part of the Barn Owl Players for many years. This lunchtime performance of ‘Something Unspoken’ will be no exception. Whitely and Murray have already earned the praises of their peers for their professional and committed approach to their craft.

Something Unspoken by Tennessee Williams, is set in Meridian, Louisiana in 1958. In the opening scene we find Cornelia Scott, a southern aristocrat, and her widowed secretary, Grace Lancaster. A new age is approaching the Southern aristocracy, and as a result, Cornelia is struggling to keep up with the changes and how to navigate them.

Grace has been Cornelia’s secretary and companion for 15 years, but lately their relationship has become ambiguous.

Cornelia wants to discuss the truth of their hidden emotions, but tensions build as Grace finds it difficult to express her feelings. She has been holding it all in for far too long, and now she is struggling to face the truth. Cornelia is determined to have an honest conversation with Grace, and to finally address the feelings that have been so carefully hidden away for over a decade.

This one-act play is the perfect way to take a break from the office and enjoy a light lunch while being entertained. The performance lasts only 45 minutes, so our office workers can easily fit it into their lunch break and be back in plenty of time.

Tickets are €17 and includes lunch which is presented by the Home Rule Club.; and can be booked HERE

Dates: Limited run from Mon 19^th to Sat 24^th June  at 1pm daily

Following last year’s successful run of XIV, Barnstorm’s Kilkenny Youth Theatre return to Ionad Dara, Goresbridge with their annual production. This year they bring their version of William Shakespeare’s classic Macbeth to the stage.

Macbeth tells the story of the tragic downfall of the warrior Macbeth, whose ambition causes him to abandon his morals and bring about the near destruction of the kingdom he seeks to rule.

The cast of Macbeth includes Matthew Hickey, Chris Power, Liam O’Neill, Anna Eustace, Diarmuid Maher, Eoin Cleary, Medha Trehan, Nell Snyder, Anna Purcell Duff, Ruby Woods, Matthew Downey, Lara Strauss, Jack Hoyne, Helen Doran, Katie Lawlor, Aoibhne Murphy, Aislin Konings Ferrari, Rionach Brady and Charlotte Lockwood Hutchinson.

Macbeth is running on Friday April 28th and Saturday April 29th at 8pm, with a matinee on Saturday at 3pm, in Ionad Dara, Goresbridge, R95 D654.

Tickets are €12.50 /€10 (Under 18’s) and can be booked online HERE