A Shadow Puppet show by Púca Puppets
Róisín befriends a seal little knowing that when she is in danger he will change into a boy to save her. They meet a greedy fisherman, Mícheál Mac Na Mara, who threatens the underwater wonderland he has shown her. Adventures ensue when Mícheál is forced by a tribunal of seals to help the children find the boy’s lost sealskin – his only means to return to his world.
Written with humour and zest by poet Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, with music by Colm Ó Snodaigh of Kíla and Sound Artist, Slavek Kwi, it was an animated shadow show from the award winning Púca Puppets.
There are lots of stories in celtic lore about seals, and their themes of crossing cultures, being ‘fish out of water’, of true selves hidden or stolen, of human treatment of nature, prove an excellent theme for a contemporary shadow puppet show suitable for 7 – 10 year olds. Writer and Storyboard artist/maker received advice and inspiration from children in Scoil Lorcáin at various stages in the process. The performances were also accompanied by workshops – an opportunity for children to respond creatively or to discover more about the making of the show.
The show was produced in association with IMRAM- Féile Litríochta Gaeilge and Poetry Ireland. Was funded by Dublin City Council and Foras na Gaeilge, with assistance from Marino College CDVEC
Scáth Dhráma cruthaithe ag Púca Puppets
Éiríonn Róisín mór le rón agus gan aon tuairim aici go n-iompóidh sé ina bhuachaill amach anseo chun teacht i gcabhair uirthi. Taispeánann sé domhan iontach fó-thoinn dí. Buaileann siad le hiascaire santach darb ainm Micheál Mac na Mara agus tá sé ar tí an domhan seo faoi thoinn a scriosadh. Tarlaíonn go leor eachtraí ina dhiaidh sin agus bíonn ar Mhícheál géilleadh do bhinse fiosraithe de rónta chun cabhrú leis na páistí teacht ar chraiceann an róin—an-t-aon bhealach atá aige chun filleadh ar a mhuintir sa domhan fó-thoinn.
An file Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill a chum is a cheap agus Colm Ó Snodaigh ón grúpa cáiliúil Kíla a chruthaigh an ceol i gcomhar le Slavek Kwi, fuaimdhraoi.
Tá an-chuid scéalta ag na Gaeil a bhaineann leis na rónta. Oireann siad go hiontach don scáth dhráma seo atá dírithe ar pháistí 7—10 bliain d’aois. Tá an fhoireann i gcomhairle le pháistí ó Scoil Lorcáin i rith oibrithe amach an seó. Bhí ceardlann ar fáil in éineacht leis an seó chomh maith ionas go raibh féidir le daltaí freagairt air go cruthaitheach agus níos mó a fhoghlaim i dtaobh próiseas a chruthaithe.
Comhléiriú a bheidh ann idir Púca Puppets, IMRAM—Féile Litríochta Gaeilge agus Éigse Éireann. Le Maoiniú ó Dublin City Council agus Foras na Gaeilge le cabhair ó gColáiste Marino CDVEC.
Foireann / Working Team
- Scríbhneoir /Writer: Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill
- Stiúrthóir / Director: Niamh Lawlor
- Comhairleoir / Consultant: Margot Jones
- Aisteoirí / Performers: Niamh Lawlor, Mícheál Ó Gruagáin
- Bainisteoir Stáitse /Stage Manager: Andrea Cleary, Robert Hughes
- Puipéad, Láithreán Déanta / Puppet and set making: Niamh Lawlor
- Ceol / Music: Colm Ó Snodaigh
- Fuaimdhraoi / Sound Artist: Slavek Kwi
- Bileog Dearadh / Leaflet Design: Margaret Lonergan
- Ticéid dhíol / Box Office: Robert Hughes
- Cabhróir cruthaitheacht / Assistant Deviser: Tarot Couzyn
- Léiritheoir / Producer: Púca Puppets in association with IMRAM – Féile Litríochta Gaeilge and Poetry Ireland
- Stiúrthóir Oideachas Éigse Éireann / Education Officer Poetry Ireland: Jane O’Hanlon
- Stiúrthóir na féile IMRAM / Director IMRAM Festival: Liam Carson
- Ionad / Venues: Connolly House, Marino College CDVEC, opposite the Five Lamps
REVIEW:
“ At the end, puppeteers …Lawlor and Mícheál Ó Gruagáin …answer questions and explain how the puppets and the scenery were made. But rather than demystify the process of shadow puppetry for us, they instead left us feeling greater admiration for the subtle attention to detail required for such a fluid performance.” “… the lyrical rhythms and sounds of the script, written by poet Núala Ní Dhómhnaill.”
Sylvia Thompson, Irish Times, Saturday October 25th 2008
Past Venues included:
2008 Performances
PR Preview CAINT BHEO ag an Electric Picnic
Connolly House, Marino College, North Strand (Five Lamps)
Teach Uí Conghaile, Coláiste Marino, Bóthar Na Trá Thuaidh
Draoícht, Blanchardstown
Griffeen Educate Together School, Lucan, Leamhcán
Áras Éanna, Inis Oírr
Baboró Galway
Deireadh Fómhar Galway Bank of Ireland
Deireadh Fómhar Station House Theatre, Clifden
Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray
Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoire
St. Pat’s Drumcondra
2009 Performances
The Dock in Leitrim
Pavilion, Dún Laoghaire
Ballymun Axis
Siamsa Tíre Cottage, Dingle
Hawkswell Theatre, Cairde Festival, Sligo
Earagail Festival Donegal,
