Spréacha Fingal’s International Arts Festival for Children, 2007

It’s the fourth annual Spréacha Festival at Draíocht in Blanchardstown. The magical six day Spréacha Festival line up includes theatre performances, circus antics, live music, storytelling and visual art exhibitions for children aged between 12 months and 12 years & their families. With a top ticket price of just €5, and many events free, you’d be mad to miss out on the ‘magical’ Spréacha Festival 2007!

This year’s festival welcomes four companies from the U.K., Germany and Belgium bringing their magical touch to Fingal, along with Irish musicians Kila, whose children’s concerts are designed for big imaginations and small restless feet!

Enjoy a rollercoaster journey of madcap antics and innocent mayhem from red-nosed, white-faced masters of circus invention (HaHaHa, presented by Okidok, Belgium, for 7+ year olds); join Cirrus, a big fluffy cloud, as she lets the wind blow her across the world,(A Cloud’s Journey, presented by Schnawl Kinder und JugendTheater am NationalTheater Mannheim, for 3-6 year olds); prepare to be amazed as unlikely and impossible tales create a world of stories, comedy and silliness (Them With Tails, presented by Tall Stories/Network of Stuff, England, for 5+ year olds) and let babies take the driving seat as they interact with performers in a comfortable, safe and inflatable tent (Oogly Boogly, presented by Schtanhaus, England, for 12-18 months)…magical experiences for everyone in the family!

Add to that a visual arts programme especially for children: Utopias – a playful exhibition using mixed-media objects from our throw-away culture to create a series of small and large scale Utopias; Synergies – a dynamic exhibition exploring the synergy which is generated with simple and complex colour patterns; Building Castles In the Air, a sculpture made from hundreds of cardboard boxes. Featured artists include Tina Meehan, Maureen Meehan, Juliet de la Mer and Maggie Madden.

The festival’s magic extends to workshops galore, exploring colour as well as physical theatre, red nose and comedy; a family day where artists are on hand to assist families who wish to create their own works of art along with a visual art installation specially designed by local school children.

Presented by Draíocht in partnership with Fingal County Council, Cllr. Joe Corr, Cathoirleach, Fingal County Council expressed his delight at Fingal’s continued involvement;

"This is the fourth consecutive year of this exceptional event, which is a high point in the cultural life of Fingal. Spréacha is one of Ireland’s leading arts festivals specifically designed for children. This is an opportunity for people to see, in their local Arts Centre, the very best of European Children’s theatre. Fingal County Council continues to lead the way in its commitment to supporting the arts. It is of fundamental importance to us that people regardless of circumstance, are given the opportunity to engage with cultural activity within their own communities and Spréacha is one of the many ways in which we do this. It is my hope that Spréacha will continue to build on its success bringing the magic of the arts to children in Fingal." - Cllr. Joe Corr, Cathoirleach, Fingal County Council

Festival Director Emer McGowan expressed her excitement as Spréacha 2007 approaches;

"Spréacha is a very special time at Draíocht where we present the very best of International Children’s Theatre companies to the children, schools and families of Dublin 15, Fingal and beyond. The Festival alongside our Children’s/Youth Arts programme represents Draíocht’s commitment to bringing high quality arts experiences to children at affordable prices and within their own area. Each show is carefully chosen and each of them has those magical moments which can entertain, enrich and educate all of us." - Emer McGowan, Director, Spréacha & Draíocht

Download the Spréacha 2007 Brochure

Project Images

Oogly Boogly
for ages 12-18 months [England]
Oogly Boogly is an event, a performance and a game made with up to eight babies of 12-18 months and four performers. It takes place in a comfortable, safe and toy-free inflatable tent designed by Architects of Air and is led by the babies themselves. Under the watchful eyes of parents and carers, Oogly Boogly puts babies in the driving seat. In directing their own movement the babies interact with the performers and an
u n p redictable but playful free-flow of conversational body language begins. Every show is different, as the babies and performers together transform the sounds and gestures of simple child’s play into a gentle dance, created in a world as endlessly open to possibilities as the infant mind. — **Oogly Boogly**
for ages 12-18 months [England]
Oogly Boogly is an event, a performance and a game made with up to eight babies of 12-18 months and four performers. It takes place in a comfortable, safe and toy-free inflatable tent designed by Architects of Air and is led by the babies themselves. Under the watchful eyes of parents and carers, Oogly Boogly puts babies in the driving seat. In directing their own movement the babies interact with the performers and an
u n p redictable but playful free-flow of conversational body language begins. Every show is different, as the babies and performers together transform the sounds and gestures of simple child’s play into a gentle dance, created in a world as endlessly open to possibilities as the infant mind.

Them With Tails
for ages 5+ [England]
It’s true. It’s not a rumour. They’re coming to Dublin 15. Seize this once in a lifetime opportunity and meet the infamous.... Them With Tails. Prepare to be amazed as they tell two unlikely tales and one impossible one, creating a world of stories, comedy and a lot of silliness - where your most ridiculous thoughts can spring to life... gasp as you meet characters from all over the world... roar as animals come to life before your very eyes... A totally unique show… two stories from around the world - and one more, created live from audience suggestions. It’s never the same show twice. — **Them With Tails**
for ages 5+ [England]
It’s true. It’s not a rumour. They’re coming to Dublin 15. Seize this once in a lifetime opportunity and meet the infamous.... Them With Tails. Prepare to be amazed as they tell two unlikely tales and one impossible one, creating a world of stories, comedy and a lot of silliness - where your most ridiculous thoughts can spring to life... gasp as you meet characters from all over the world... roar as animals come to life before your very eyes... A totally unique show… two stories from around the world - and one more, created live from audience suggestions. It’s never the same show twice.

Kíla
for all ages [Ireland]
Kíla have long been considered at the fore front of traditional and world music in Ireland. Their children ’s concerts are designed for big imaginations and small, restless feet! More than a workshop and more than a concert; the hour long performance offers children a wonderful opportunity to learn about Irish music and culture, world music and discover the multitude of instruments that Kíla play. The set is designed to allow maximum audience participation, encouraging them to join in with the rhythms, tunes and singing and offering children a rich insight into their eclectic, colourful and interesting world of music. Kíla’s music is adventurous in style blending traditional Irish sounds with instruments from around the world. — **Kíla**
for all ages [Ireland]
Kíla have long been considered at the fore front of traditional and world music in Ireland. Their children ’s concerts are designed for big imaginations and small, restless feet! More than a workshop and more than a concert; the hour long performance offers children a wonderful opportunity to learn about Irish music and culture, world music and discover the multitude of instruments that Kíla play. The set is designed to allow maximum audience participation, encouraging them to join in with the rhythms, tunes and singing and offering children a rich insight into their eclectic, colourful and interesting world of music. Kíla’s music is adventurous in style blending traditional Irish sounds with instruments from around the world.

A Cloud's Journey
for ages 3-6 [Germany]
Cirrus is a big fluffy cloud, whose favourite thing is to let the wind blow her across the world, so she can see all the oceans and forests, people and animals. One day, Cirrus meets a child who is curious to know m o re about the world she sees on her travels and so together they begin a wonderful journey... This show is a theatrical treat for young audiences, packed with magical transformations as well as the colours, secrets and aromas of the whole wide world! — **A Cloud's Journey**
for ages 3-6 [Germany]
Cirrus is a big fluffy cloud, whose favourite thing is to let the wind blow her across the world, so she can see all the oceans and forests, people and animals. One day, Cirrus meets a child who is curious to know m o re about the world she sees on her travels and so together they begin a wonderful journey... This show is a theatrical treat for young audiences, packed with magical transformations as well as the colours, secrets and aromas of the whole wide world!

HaHaHa
for ages 7+ [Belgium]
These red-nosed, whitefaced masters of circus invention bring us a show made up of sketches that are full of madcap antics and innocent
mayhem!!! Watch them as they encounter a ball falling out of the sky, doors leading to nowhere, a tower of boxes that just won’t stop growing
and… a rebellious carrot!!! With two characters that are in turn friends and then rivals for their audience’s attention; their mastery and skill is a
joy to watch. Sometimes funny and sometimes sad, this extraordinary duo will bring you on a rollercoaster journey that will have you helpless
with laughter. — **HaHaHa**
for ages 7+ [Belgium]
These red-nosed, whitefaced masters of circus invention bring us a show made up of sketches that are full of madcap antics and innocent
mayhem!!! Watch them as they encounter a ball falling out of the sky, doors leading to nowhere, a tower of boxes that just won’t stop growing
and… a rebellious carrot!!! With two characters that are in turn friends and then rivals for their audience’s attention; their mastery and skill is a
joy to watch. Sometimes funny and sometimes sad, this extraordinary duo will bring you on a rollercoaster journey that will have you helpless
with laughter.

Utopias
for all ages
Tina Meehan has created a series of small and large scale Utopias using mixed-media objects from our throwaway culture such as cigar boxes, ping-pong balls, paper cups, contact paper and string, amongst others. These objects have been transformed into miniature worlds and environments, reminiscent of how children ‘play house’ with household objects - creating their own imaginary spaces and acting out their own dreams and desires within them. This exhibition is playful and inspiring. — **Utopias**
for all ages
Tina Meehan has created a series of small and large scale Utopias using mixed-media objects from our throwaway culture such as cigar boxes, ping-pong balls, paper cups, contact paper and string, amongst others. These objects have been transformed into miniature worlds and environments, reminiscent of how children ‘play house’ with household objects - creating their own imaginary spaces and acting out their own dreams and desires within them. This exhibition is playful and inspiring.

Synergies
for all ages
Synergies presents the work of two painters, Maureen Meehan and Juliet de la Mer, who explore the energy and synergy which is generated with both simple and complex colour patterns. Maureen uses masking tape to create brightly striped works on non-traditional supports such as plastic, glass and perspex, capturing a sense of familiarity as they remind us of the colour patterns we see everyday and can remember from our past, in our clothes, magazines, and sweet wrappers. Juliet uses aluminium and plastic supports for her flowing and oozing blobs of household and industrial paints. Seen together this work creates a dynamic and fun exhibition which children of all ages will love. — **Synergies**
for all ages
Synergies presents the work of two painters, Maureen Meehan and Juliet de la Mer, who explore the energy and synergy which is generated with both simple and complex colour patterns. Maureen uses masking tape to create brightly striped works on non-traditional supports such as plastic, glass and perspex, capturing a sense of familiarity as they remind us of the colour patterns we see everyday and can remember from our past, in our clothes, magazines, and sweet wrappers. Juliet uses aluminium and plastic supports for her flowing and oozing blobs of household and industrial paints. Seen together this work creates a dynamic and fun exhibition which children of all ages will love.

Building Castles In The Air
for all ages
Building Castles in the Air is a sculpture by Maggie Madden made from hundreds of cardboard boxes that range in scale from matchboxes to large kitchen appliance boxes. This sculpture will grow and stagger upwards like a spider’s web from Draíocht’s ground floor foyer, up through the space between the window and the mezzanine, eventually latching onto the ceiling high above the viewers head. It begins at the base with tiny boxes which gradually grow bigger and bigger as it reaches up creating a giant top heavy structure. Maggie makes no attempt to paint or alter the boxes in any way, resulting in a structure that appears like a live monument to packaging and capitalism. Both
children and adults will have fun finding all the familiar packages from their store cupboards and favourite products — **Building Castles In The Air**
for all ages
Building Castles in the Air is a sculpture by Maggie Madden made from hundreds of cardboard boxes that range in scale from matchboxes to large kitchen appliance boxes. This sculpture will grow and stagger upwards like a spider’s web from Draíocht’s ground floor foyer, up through the space between the window and the mezzanine, eventually latching onto the ceiling high above the viewers head. It begins at the base with tiny boxes which gradually grow bigger and bigger as it reaches up creating a giant top heavy structure. Maggie makes no attempt to paint or alter the boxes in any way, resulting in a structure that appears like a live monument to packaging and capitalism. Both
children and adults will have fun finding all the familiar packages from their store cupboards and favourite products

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Spréacha Fingal’s International Arts Festival for Children, 2007

11-16 June 2007

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