by Rose Rushe
Photo: Ken Coleman
AN Táin, Ireland’s mythology of turf-wars fought by bulls and led by Queen Meave of Connacht against Ulster’s hound, Cú Chulainn, is to be made flesh and bloody in dance theatre. This spectacular production with local, national and international players opens at the big top in Milk Market on Sunday July 20, for six nights at the witching hour of 9pm.
Limerick City of Culture and Dance Limerick are behind this fast-moving show which, without dialogue and through the dynamic of hip hop and original score, narrates the awesome battle: “Sacrifices to be made and the ultimate prize – Connacht – to be claimed”.
Ciarda Tobin is director, Meave Butler produces and Icarus Rising, the acclaimed hip hop duo, charts the music.
‘The Táin’ will play to an audience of 250 under dusky skies.
“The Táin is the first hip hop theatre show in Ireland,” states Butler with some pride. “Ciarda Tobin is very interested in urban art forms and interested in bringing that to theatre. She knows The Táin inside out and upside down, has taken [the text] and distilled it down into a number of scenes, each divided into significant moments”.
Barry ‘Bazzy B’ Bourke of Limrockers Cru has been working with young people through his Hip Hop Intervention Projection, “people from marginalised areas and people with disability, to lessen the segregation”.
This has proved a telling background in making coherent this visual dynamic with no words. He’s also principal, Cú Chulainn.
“With no script, the score is by Icarus Rising who are Mexy from Dundalk and West Knyle Ambers, Detroit who are known rappers and performers, with Emma Jane Maher on vocals,” the producer elaborates. “They have broken the story into soundtrack, a collaborative process, challenging for everyone involved as with no script written, there’s nothing to revise.
“The story is told through hip hop theatre and music, with a Bard setting the frame [episodic appearances] for 11 performers, designers, three choreographers”. Choreography is by Bad Taste Cru, comprised of Paul Martin and Conor O’Kane, working with Bazzie.
There’s another ten in the background team led by Limerick’s Ciarda Tobin in this totem piece for our Cultural designation.
Book for tickets priced between €10 and €5 – thanks to City of Culture Made in Limerick funding – only on a dedicated website, www.thetain2014.com or buy in person at the Milk Market.
