Photo: Eamonn O’Mahony
PULSE, “a programme to inject a new energy into professional theatre in the city”. Quote from mother to this City of Culture legacy project, Marie Boylan, who speaks of development and training incubation for artists that culminates in public performance.
Bringing the Limerick novel ‘Pinhead Duffy’ to life as drama will be one manifestation of ongoing work; another was Paul Tarpey’s music/ visual installation for EVA 2014 on Friday 20 last. Dr John Greenwood’s future ‘Pigtown Fling’ will be a third expression.
The Limerick Theatre and Performance Hub is umbrella group. Working out of the former Red Cross Hall at 36 Cecil Street, it’s comprised of visual and performance artists who benefit from workshops and platforms by which to hone skill.
An actress, director, producer, playwright herself and core member of PLAN (Professional Limerick Artists Network), Marie Boylan was instrumental in City of Culture funding to set up Pulse. This is the Theatre legacy project; each Pillar has this opportunity to make original work to last beyond the ephemera of launches.
“Red Cross Hall is a space where work can be developed and stored,” she explains. “We have a series of workshops for professional actors and performers running from June 20 to 29 that will culminate in ‘Pinhead Duffy’. ‘Pinhead Duffy’ is a novel published by Limerick writer Helena Close, and due for reissue in September, its 10th anniversary in limited edition.
“It’s about Limerick in the ’70s, a really nice story with a Limerick vibe to it – going to Kilkee, winning the All Ireland in 1973, Donkey Ford’s”.
Pinhead Duffy is a boy, the eldest in his gang of four: “kept back a year at school because he broke his leg”. A detail like that gives a boy status among peers and the novel takes place over a defining summer.
18 actors of the calibre of Frances Healy, Gene Rooney, Darren Maher, Patrick Ryan (Druid), Monica Spencer and more are working through drafts of Helena Close’s adaptation. Gavin Kostick of Fishamble Theatre company has oversight.
There are other big names in the mix. Pat Kiernan of Corcadorca is director, Andrea Ainsworth of The Abbey Theatre and Chrisse Poulter give relevant workshops in voice and community theatre respectively so end product will surely be worthwhile.
‘Pinhead Duffy’ will be a read-only performance at 69 O’Connell Street for one night, this Saturday June 28, 8pm.
Marie Boylan invites ticket holders to the drinks reception 7.30pm prior to this new play, another legacy sealed for Limerick. Book at www.limetreetheatre.ie
Come autumn, Pulse will have a second wave for us, audience to its various media and many participants.
