Imigéin... on tour

There is a great buzz about Siamsa this week...  our wonderful production Imigéin is going on tour for two nights. This Saturday  and Sunday (30^th  and  31^st August) members of our performing cast will be at the Lime Tree theatre to bring to the people of Limerick the story of ‘the Irish habit of going away’ the struggle to “fit in” in foreign lands. This tale resonates with generations of Irish people past and present.

“To feel torn between two places is a difficult thing. It is an emotional struggle, it challenges ones identity, ones sense of place, ones sense of belonging. An emigrant is on the search for a new home, but already has a home. The story is simple. A young woman leaves her family to go to an 'other' place. A place that will not feel like home in the beginning but she will connect to this place; she will begin to settle here.” Joanne Barry (Director)

Rehearsals!

Sue-Ellen Chester-MacCarthy is the choreographer - the grand-daughter of an Irish emigrant and having herself immigrated from Australia to these shores, she felt she was able to bring her own very personal experiences to this particular production.

A scene from the show

The music for the show is the work of musical dramatist, Conor Mitchell. Conor is an opera, music-theatre and orchestral composer from Northern Ireland and he spent weeks working with the show’s team in creating rich melodies throughout.

Onwards to Limerick - Des and Declan getting the show on the road...

Imigéin tours to the Lime Tree Theatre in Limerick Saturday 30^th and Sunday 31^st August.  Directed by Joanne Barry, Choreography by Sue Ellen MacCarthy, Set & Costume Design by Conor Murphy, Musical Dramatist, Conor Mitchell.  Lighting design for this tour is by John Hurley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memories all the way from Oz - Helena Brosnan

Helena with a furry friend in Australia

“Do not jump over that wall!”
Having pottered into my first audition at the tender age of five, I had no idea that I was about embark on the most amazing journey that would nurture my childhood and life…
The wall I speak of was a four foot high stone creation right between the main training building and the little out-house where Irish dancing classes were held. I was in my second year of training at this point and being the rebel I was at the age of six, I was of course jumping over this very wall!…. Then out came our teacher with a list of names - all of whom had being jumping over this wall!  This is it, I thought, my parents are going to kill me… I was going to be kicked out of Finuge!

In the pink with other Siamsa cast members meeting President Mary McAleese

Instead to my surprise, we were greeted by Mr. Oliver Hurley and asked to audition for him.  I remember so vividly singing “Tioc Tioc” a happy song about feeding chickens as if it were the most sombre tune ever written and also remember being so nervous that I did what I can only refer to as a yodel at the very end! 

Helena in the centre Siobhan Clifford, and Colm Kelliher getting ready to go on as Swans in Clann Lir

Fast forward some months and I was waiting behind the thatch cottage door listening to Jonathan Kelliher whistling, about to burst onto the stage for my first show ever with Siamsa Tíre… I was six and that was 1995.
I am now 25 and it’s 2014 and thinking about that moment still gives me butterflies… 
I have such a clear memory of learning the part of ‘the little wren’ with Oliver Hurley in the circular Siamsa gallery, learning how to move my head, hands and feet and practicing walking around my house at home like a little bird to get the part just right!  
For 13 consecutive years I grew up in, and with, Siamsa.  This is meant in the truest sense.  The core members were my ‘pop stars’, my fellow performers were my truest and dearest friends, the stage was my playground, and as I matured, my nightclub.



At 18, I moved to London to broaden my theatre wings and study Musical Theatre. This added another element to my theatre cake.  However, I can truly say that any other skills learnt are the icing and candles, the fundamentals that you learn from those around you in the Siamsa family are never over- shadowed, Siamsa is my sponge, jam and cream .

On tour with international Irish Dance show ‘Magic of the Dance’

Since completing University I have embarked on many different theatrical and performing ventures, from Irish Dance shows, to Musicals, and from straight acting to Fringe festivals and Rock bands.  At the core of all of these ventures is the professionalism and respect for fellow performers that I learned behind those “Big Red Doors”. The performer I am today I owe to the vision of individuals such as Oliver Hurley and Jonathan Kelliher who have that special gift to see something in you that can be nurtured and encouraged to blossom, long before you see it yourself.

The Sydney bridge climb 2014

For the last year I have been living an adventure in the Land of Oz, and although loving it immensely, I do miss the comfy green couches, the sign-in board, the dressing room banter, the surge to the rehearsal room to make warm-up on time.  Those seconds of preparation just before you step on stage, the special moments, smiles, winks you share with friends and ‘that feeling’ that happens in little fleeting moments throughout the night when you think to yourself, “My God, I’m so lucky”.

Helena on stage with Sean Ahern, Cliona Murphy, and David Heslip.

Trying to describe what it means to be a member of the Siamsa legacy is like trying to describe the colour of water.  The Siamsa legacy is steeped in pure emotion and patriotism and its effect on the members within it is truly indescribable.  It holds a very unique and special place in so many people’s hearts.
For me it certainly does, and I am truly passionate that it deserves to, should, and will continue to create and inspire. To wow audiences and most importantly nurture the hearts and minds of the little singers, dancer and performers to come in the future.

Fadó Fadó - The Long Ago

Getting ready for working the land - a scene from Fadó Fadó

Fadó Fadó, the original show from which Siamsa Tíre grew is back on stage this summer as part of our 40th anniversary celebrations.
The lives of country people were immersed in their environment.  Each season defined a new set of activities and with that, each daily chore had a tune to it. 

Fadó Fadó is a dramatisation of the cycle of working the land and life in rural Ireland.  For many this is a stroll down memory lane to a time before life became complicated by technology. 

All work was achieved using traditional methods and the “Meitheal” - the old Irish way of people coming together to respond to local needs.

Through lively singing, music, dancing and mime, Fadó Fadó moves from the open air of the bog fields and harvest festivals, to the warmth of the hearth-lit kitchen and celebrates the joys and sorrows of a typical family in Ireland in times past.

 

Performance dates : August;18-22, 25-20 and September 1-5.

A message from Dubai - it's Justin Walsh!

Lost in music – Justin as a young boy in the 1991 production Ding Dong Dedero

Growing up in Siamsa was probably one of the best experiences I had as a child. It was a place I came and shared similar interests with other kids and I loved it. Life-long friendships have been made from Siamsa and the Siamsa family will always have a special place in my heart. 

There are countless great and wonderful memories over the years, from early Finuge days to summer seasons to my favorite time of the year, Christmas. I always loved the Christmas shows and there was always so many of us involved. The rehearsals were long for the Christmas shows but we didn't mind because we were getting up to mischief and playing spin the bottle in one of the dressing rooms or in the back of the auditorium, ha-ha!

 



Justin in the back row, second from the right with the Siamsa 'Family' during President Mary McAleese's visit

Touring was also one of the best memories I have of Siamsa, two of which stand out for me. Expo 92 Seville, Spain and also Washington DC (1999). Expo was special because it was the first time I was traveling to another country and first time ever on a plane and I guess with all the excitement I forgot to pack the most important item for the tour...my dancing shoes! Thankfully Geraldine came to the rescue and helped, and I think we solved it by me wearing Aideen Morgan’s shoes for the trip and also avoided telling Fr Pat (whew)

The Washington tour

 The tour to Washington was also amazing and brings back great memories, especially of Martin (Whelan). He really enjoyed that tour and looked after us all really well. Ford’s Theatre where we performed was great and the whole overall experience was all very exciting. We even got a tour of the White House! We had so much fun and laughter on that trip! One funny memory I have is at one of the after parties in someone's room - I managed to fit into a suitcase with just my head sticking out and of course my lovely Siamsa family decided it would be a great idea to put me out in the hall and in the lift!!! Great, great memories! And of course touring with Siamsa set me up and gave me a little taste of what was yet to come with my own touring life with the various Irish dance shows later on.

Justin performing on stage as part of St. Patrick’s day celebrations in Dubai this year.

I appreciate so much what Siamsa has done for me in life - it taught me everything there is to know about theatre and life on stage. Siamsa has always welcomed me back and for that I am forever grateful. Today I live and work in Dubai for Emirates airline and unfortunately the shoes are not as much in use as they used to be. However I did dust them off recently for Paddy's Day and danced again - even the camel enjoyed it! Happy 40th, Siamsa and here's to the next 40 - sending love from Dubai and see you all very soon

Justin
Xxx

Where's my jumper? Fadó Fadó Costumes by Joan Hickson

I am very happy to be involved in the production of Siamsa Tíre’s "Fadó Fadó", especially as I very much enjoyed working on "Tearmann" one of their previous shows.

My brief has been to design costumes which are true to the period from 1900 to 1950. I was especially attracted to the different patterns for the ladies’ dresses, blouses and skirts. I like the layering of clothing in the use of aprons, housecoats and hand knitted cardigans, particularly those worn in the 30s, 40s and 50s, an Ireland where people made their own clothes. Some of the cardigans and blouses are vintage finds, while the rest of the knitwear is hand knit and hand crochet by a very talented lady here in Cork.

 

A variety of colours and textures are used in the men's tailoring. Stripes and check shirts are being used and, as with the women's costumes, the men can wear their outfits in different ways - a tie can be added or a waistcoat can be unbuttoned or the shirt sleeves rolled up to give a casual look.

 

I have thoroughly enjoyed working on the project and I am looking forward to seeing the performers singing and dancing on the beautiful set in my costume designs.

Third generation at Siamsa ... Meet Dave Heaslip!

My grandfather Liam Heaslip was among the group who founded Siamsa Tire many years ago. My father Pierce Heaslip also joined, and here I am, the third generation to carry on the tradition.

 David with his grandfather and father taken about ten years ago.

I too, like many of my friends today, started my Siamsa life in Teach Siamsa in Finuge. Being from Tralee, I would get the bus that left from St. Brendan's church (on a Thursday night, I think it was) that would collect a group of us and take us to and from Finuge.  I did my training and made it to the main theatre where I did further training in song and dance at the Monday night classes.
 

As the King in Clann Lir, taking in 2011       (Photo by Maurice Gunning)

I loved every minute of the training and once I got on stage during the summer season I couldn't get enough of it. I loved the Irish dancing and still have the love for it today. Through the years I've toured with Siamsa nationally and internationally. One particular tour that I've fantastic memories of was the tour to America in 1999 when I was eleven years old. History had repeated itself. When my father was that age he also travelled to America with his father with Siamsa.
 



David in the centre in a scene from San Am Fadó / Fadó Faó taken in 2006  (Photo by Valerie O'Sullivan)



 



Growing up in Siamsa is something I would never change. The skills I have, the friends I've gained, the experiences of a life time. Today I am on a twelve month career break from my job at Tesco Ireland in Tralee Square. I've taken the opportunity to do some travelling and I'm currently living in Perth Western Australia. It is the first summer season I've not taken part in since I've started and I do really miss the stage!

 Slán. 

Dave Heaslip

 

From Siamsa to the Rose of Tralee... It's Oliver Hurley!

When asked to put  some thoughts and memories of Siamsa Tíre into no more than 300 words it seemed an impossible task, as it  has being such a big part of my life for over 30 years. 

Siamsa Tíre is where I learned my craft, it is where I got my grounding in many aspects of theatre, as well as allowing me the freedom to be creative. It has given me the opportunity to travel the world, to experience and appreciate other cultures , it’s where I met my wife and even now I am fortunate that Siamsa Tíre is very much part of my children’s lives. Having retired from Siamsa nine years ago, my passion for theatre is a strong as ever. Apart from my position as General Manager of the Rose of Tralee International festival, I run my own stage school in Tralee and I also direct several shows from Musicals to panto annually, so theatre is still very much part of my daily life. 
 

Final touches before going on stage!

Highlights have been many: at the age of eleven I was privileged to perform on Broadway, in 1987 I travelled to the Netherlands and performed for Queen Beatrice on the occasion of her birthday, in 1988 we undertook a tour of Australia, the World Expo at Seville, Spain in 1992, and in 2000, we travelled to Hanover, Germany where we received a standing ovation from 4000 people, which went on long after we had left the outdoor auditorium. 

Siamsa Tíre program for world expo in Seville

 During my time as Artistic Director from 2000 – 2005, the company embarked on three very successful national tours which for me was an important dimension to my directorship - to bring folk theatre to the Irish theatre-goers on an annual basis, just like Druid or the Abbey theatre companies. We performed in venues from the Town Hall Theatre in Galway, to the Cork Opera House, with exceptional box office sales and outstanding critical and audience reaction. Thus, confirming that folk theatre is not just for the foreign tourist but has a wide appeal to theatre audiences in Ireland and that the delivery of a summer season should not be our only focus. 

 

Oileán - Celebrating the Blasket Islands

One of my proudest moments  as Artistic Director was  in 2003 when we created Oileán- A Celebration of the Blasket Islands, which I am glad to see is still very much part of the repertoire, and now features my children as performers.  
Even though I no longer work at Siamsa Tíre, I am happy to say that Siamsa has made me who I am in many respects.  It gave me a clear focus in my youth, it trained me in all aspects of theatre, and it gave me friends for life.

Oliver on stage his wife Geraldine holding the "baby" in Ding Dong Dedero (1991)

They say folk is about the people and it is certainly the people that I met through Siamsa that shaped my path in life and gave me a sense of place; from Fr Pat Ahern for all the inspiration, to Fr Tom Hickey and the late Muiris Curtain for always giving that gentle push along the way, and of course, the late Martin Whelan for believing in me.  I am a firm believer that when creative forces come together greatness can happen, indeed I always remember the professional company who created Oileán with me - if it were not for this passionate group of creators believing in the idea and in my directorship we may not have created such a beautiful piece of theatre. So, it is people that have  made my experience with Siamsa Tíre as special as it is, the fellow performers, the creators, the carriers of our rich tradition and to my friends, here’s to another 40 years of the jigs and the reels.