www.communityvoice.ie - Art news from Dublin 15

Going but not forgotten

Down through the years, Fishamble Theatre Company has enjoyed a very close relationship with Draíocht. Audiences will remember such gripping productions as “Monged,” “Wired to the Moon” by Maeve Binchy, “The Buddhist of Castleknock” and “Tadhg Stray Wandered In” and artistic director Jim Culleton also directed an in house production for Draíocht of “Dog House” by Gina Moxley.

Such was the standard of these productions that the forthcoming performance of “Forgotten” at the Blanchardstown venue will be a must for many. Known for its discovery, development and production of new work for the Irish theatre, Fishamble has long been at the cutting edge of Irish theatre and “Forgotten” will doubtless be another gem in the company’s already impressive diadem.

This new production is a solo piece of theatre, written and acted by Pat Kinevane, which reveals the interconnecting stories of four elderly people, living in retirement homes and care facilities around Ireland, who range in age from 80 to 100 years old. 1943 was a curious year for this quartet and their lives have never been the same since. It is, at times, challengingly dark and, at other times, startlingly hilarious.

“Forgotten,” according to director Jim Culleton is presented in a fusion of European and Japanese Kabuki theatrical styles. You what, Gay?

“It is a bit mysterious, alright!” laughs Jim. “Pat is very interested in Kabuki theatre so we use this as an influence in the performance, with pieces of Japanese dance interspersed between speeches. Characters refer to Japanese dances and art in the story and one of them comments that the Japanese really take good care of their elders and treat them with the utmost respect - so I suppose that is where the idea came from.

“Also, it really makes it more theatrical and engaging and goes down really well with audiences (of all ages) so maybe it is harder to describe but works well in performance - the audience will have to make its mind up for itself. Pat talks to the audience, offers them a marshmallow, etc. so it all fits into the overall stylised intimacy of the piece.

“It is not a naturalistic play so Pat Kinevane doesn’t use a walking stick on stage, but rather he uses his acting abilities to capture the fears, joys and frustrations experienced by some older people today. He uses the fact that he is half that age to good effect as the performance is very physical,” says Jim.

Premiered in Tinahely last year, the play has been on a long run which will culminate in performances in Prague and Edinburgh in the coming months. Formerly known as Pigsback, the company was founded in 1988 and renamed Fishamble in 1997. The name is inspired by Dublin’s Fishamble Street and in particular, its playhouse which, in 1784, became the first Irish theatre to pursue a policy of producing exclusively new Irish work.

Fishamble’s “Forgotten” starring Pat Kinevane plays Draíocht Studio on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd May at 8.15.
Tickets for the Friday night are €16 / €14, while the Saturday performance will be a benefit project for St. Michael’s Link Project and tickets are €25.

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