Tom Courtenay in Pretending to be Me
January 28, 2011
PRETENDING TO BE ME
A witty, affectionate and intimate tribute to the poet Philip Larkin
"Courtenay is simply masterful" Sunday Times
"A rare, rich pleasure" Daily Telegraph
FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY IN BLANCHARDSTOWN
FRIDAY 4TH FEBRUARY 8PM
Main Auditorium, Draíocht, Blanchardstown
Tickets: 20/16 conc
“What a man. What a poet. And what a performance” – Daily Telegraph
Sir Tom Courtenay hails from Hull where Philip Larkin, one of the foremost figures in 20th-Century English poetry, was a university librarian. In this hilarious and moving one man show, which Tom Courtenay devised and has performed in the West End, Larkin reflects wryly on writing and life.
Knighted in 2001, actor Sir Tom Courtenay is known for his film roles including Billy Liar, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, The Golden Compass, Last Orders, Dr. Zhivago and The Dresser, and he received Oscar nominations for his performances in The Dresser and Dr Zhivago. He has also won two BAFTA Awards for The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner and A Rather English Marriage and was nominated for three others. His extensive stage work ranges from Ayckbourn’s The Norman Conquests to Uncle Vanya and Art and recent television performances include a part in The Royle Family.
And now you can see him in Blanchardstown for one night only!
“One of the funniest things I’ve ever seen – terrific” – The Times
BOOK TODAY: TEL: 01-885 2622 or Book Online
Days
What are days for?
Days are where we live.
They come, they wake us
Time and time over.
They are to be happy in:
Where can we live but days?
Ah, solving that question
Brings the priest and the doctor
In their long coats
Running over the fields.
Philip Larkin
Autobiography At An Air-Station
Delay, well, travellers must expect
Delay. For how long? No one seems to know.
With all the luggage weighed, the tickets checked,
It can't be long … We amble too and fro,
Sit in steel chairs, buy cigarettes and sweets
And tea, unfold the papers. Ought we to smile,
Perhaps make friends? No: in the race for seats
You're best alone. Friendship is not worth while.
Six hours pass: if I'd gone by boat last night
I'd be there now. Well, it's too late for that.
The kiosk girl is yawning. I fell stale,
Stupified, by inaction - and, as light
Begins to ebb outside, by fear, I set
So much on this Assumption. Now it's failed.
Philip Larkin
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By Draíocht. Tags: Theatre
I Keano director Terry Byrne brings his acclaimed production of Elysium Nevada to Draiocht
January 14, 2011
COMING TO DRAIOCHT
AS PART OF A NEW LUNCH TIME THEATRE INITIATIVE
on Saturday 22 January at 2pm
ELYSIUM NEVADA
An international hit by Barry McKinley
Starring Steve Curran, Ian Blackmore and Ann Russell
Nominated as BEST NEW PLAY in the 2010 IRISH TIMES THEATRE AWARDS
…. full of brilliant barbs and humour...the performances are uniformly excellent...a hugely enjoyable and thought provoking production.
Sarah Keating, Sunday Business Post
….a study in wizened impotent rage, measured out in wicked one-liners...it would be tempting to call the whole thing Beckett meets Shepard..
Peter Crawley, Irish Times.
….packed with punchy one-liners, the setting and quirky style of the piece brings to mind Sam Shepard, but what emerges is nearer Beckett.
Terry Byrne’s production acquires an ever increasing poignancy…brimming with apocalyptic undertones……….
Alan Chadwick, Glasgow Herald
….the playing is assured and beautifully timed ... and has a nice balance of cynical humour and genuine emotion.’
Michael Moffatt, Mail on Sunday
...(Barry McKinley) ‘handled his quirky scenario with intelligence and humour.... directed more than competently by Terry Byrne... with three good and convincing performances’.
Emer O’Kelly, Sunday Independent
ELYSIUM NEVADA
A Pandora Production
I Keano director Terry Byrne brings his acclaimed production of Elysium Nevada to Draiocht in Blanchardstown on Saturday 22 January in a new lunchtime theatre initiative this Season. The play, written by Carlow playwright Barry McKinley, got rave reviews from the critics when first presented in Bewleys Cafe Theatre last year, and was nominated as best new play in the 2010 Irish Times Theatre Awards.
An Arts Council supported tour followed which has taken the show all over Ireland. Then, a highly successful run in Glasgow played to packed houses and renewed critical acclaim.
Elysium Nevada is set in a retirement home on the edge of the Nevada Desert, with two grumpy old men, played in Odd Couple mode by Steve Curran and Ian Blackmore, chewing the fat over the old days and pondering how the grim reaper sneaks up in soft shoes armed with “a baseball bat”, while at the same time berating the young and their lack of manners and obsession with sex.
The play turns on its head as the elderly hot “babe” of the first act with the oxygen mask (Ann Russell) joins the conversation. New truths are revealed in a fascinating and poignant conclusion.
Writing in the Glasgow Herald, Alan Chadwick said -‘Packed with punchy one-liners, the setting and quirky style of the piece brings to mind Sam Shepard, but what emerges is nearer Beckett. This could be Endgame with Hamm and Clov in wheelchairs and Hawaiian shirts ...Terry Byrne’s production acquires an ever increasing poignancy … brimming with apocalyptic undertones’.
NOW BOOKING AT DRAIOCHT’S BOX OFFICE
TEL: 01-8852622
Open Monday to Saturday 10am-6pm
Or Book Online 24 hrs at www.draiocht.ie
Tickets: 14 euro / 10 euro concession
Draiocht Studio
Saturday 22 January, 2pm
BETELNUT CAFÉ MEAL DEAL: 30% of lunch with your show ticket on Saturday 22 January.
FOR INTERVIEWS PLEASE CONTACT:
Terry Byrne, Director, Phone 086-2266865; email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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By Draíocht. Tags: Theatre
What Next? Update
January 11, 2011
Full Schedule of Speakers Announced for What Next? Professional Development Day on 20 January
Professional Development Day for Recent Art Graduates
THU 20 JAN 2011 10.30AM - 5.30PM Draíocht Studio // FREE
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10 – 10:30am
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Registration & Coffee
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10:40-11:45
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Internships
Elizabeth Clayton, Serpentine Internship Co-ordinator
Bairbre Ann Harkin, MOMA Intern
Susan Holland, Shinnors Scholar
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11:45 – 12:30
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Funding opportunities
Eugene Downes, Culture Ireland
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12:30
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Questions & Answers
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1pm – 2pm
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Lunch
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2pm -3pm
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Publicart.ie & making public art applications
Sarah Searson
Cliodhna Shaffery
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3pm – 3:45pm
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Create, Artists Anne Maree Barry & Louise Lowe (theatre) discuss the Mentoring Programme
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3:45pm – 5pm
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The Artists Career
Jesse Jones
Gerard Byrne
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Upcoming Free Amharc Fhine Gall Events this month @ Draíocht
January 10, 2011
Exploring the Exhibition - The Cloud
SAT 15 JAN 2011 1PM Ground Floor Gallery // Free
Join us this Saturday 15 Jan @ 1 pm in the ground floor gallery to hear exhibiting artist Ella Burke discuss her work as part of Amharc Fhine Gall VII "The Cloud".
This is a free event but booking is advisable through Draíocht’s Box Office on 01-8852622.
Read more about Ella’s work @ Draiocht here
And check out the artist's blog here
What Next?
Professional Development Day for Recent Art Graduates
THU 20 JAN 2011 10.30AM - 5.30PM Draíocht Studio // FREE
We are also looking forward to What Next? on Thursday 20 January from 10.30am - 5.30pm. Following on from the success of last year’s event Draiocht and Fingal County Council’s Arts Office are delighted to further recognize the needs and questions of graduates post-college, be they artists, critics or curators.
What Next? is a series of free talks delivered by a range of professional artist, curators and arts workers – including Amharc Fhine Gall "The Cloud" curator Susan Holland.
Read more about What Next? Here
This is a free full day event with limited places and booking is advisable through Draíocht’s Box Office on 01-8852622. Lunch is not provided.
Amharc Fhine Gall "The Cloud" is open in the Ground Floor Gallery until 22 January 2011
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