ISLEBORO Productions* is a new maker of theatre in site specific situations, set up by Limerick man Kevin Kiely Jnr. Readers will know his name from glories past over years: appearances in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, ‘World War Z’ and live performance work from Royal de Luxe to Limerick film and theatre, to producing at Dance Limerick.
Kiely is no breeze by the block, having won a scholarship to The Guildford School of Acting. There he picked up The Sean McNamara Award and the Sir Michael Redgrave Award for production and acting work, telling none back home.
Acting is one talent, for a man who wanted to train in musical theatre. “I’m not a critical thinker at all,” he reflects. “I am an optimist for the human soul. I never judge any of my characters, I’m never out of [them], always in. I find it easy to do that”.
Hark to new work (Specifically. Being. Human.) which will open for four days at Limerick City Build, the former Cahill May Roberts on Bank Place.
A man and a woman in custom-made garb from the Orient, Kiely and dancer Angie Smalis, stand within a glass cube. Composer Paddy Mulcahy is on keyboard, synthesiser and sound, within.
Note that (Specifically. Being. Human.) will push the boundaries of theatre beyond expectation of script or crew or director, even a box office. That’s important. “I want the audience to own their experience, whatever interpretation they make of this work”.
The concept is his and what evolved is a collaboration between the professionals, “using the tools of theatre, dance and music to explore the four natural design differences between a man and a woman”.
Anticipate fun. Kiely Jnr’s selected differences are abstract and physical, ‘Processing, Chemistry, Structure, Thought’. Think about it.
The audience takes tiered seats around the glass that is fulcrum to an exchange between them and us and each other, expressed in movement, eye contact, questions, sound. “The whole thing is an exploration of territory”.
Tickets for €10 at O’Mahoney Booksellers will secure a Tiger Beer, who are sponsor, or soft drink at The Red Hen after 8pm performances. Bonus matinée 4pm, Saturday 27.
*Isleboro is derived from ‘The Island’, Thomondgate, and Janesboro, respective homes to Kiely parentage.
