Caitríona Ní Mhurchú is writer and performer of an Irish-language kids’ theatre show that is touring to West Cork
THE show is based on the ancient Tuatha Dé Danann and Formorian myths. In it, a lonely 12-year old discovers resilience and how to stand up for herself, when she finds she has to confront her most devious enemy yet!
On the morning of her 12th birthday our heroine’s mother is rushed to hospital and her birthday is forgotten. Instead she finds herself hurtled into an otherworldly adventure as she discovers she’s actually a magical being …
Lightly touching on themes of bullying and childhood isolation, the show builds a cyclorama of the unfolding action using micro-cameras and projector, these charming visuals are accompanied by Niall Toner Jr performing a live electronic sound score on stage.
Is the show bilingual?
No. For its original production in The Ark Theatre, Dublin we created an Irish language version and an English version.
We are coming to West Cork straight from Carlow Arts Festival where it played both versions. We are doing it in Irish for Oileán Chléire and Baile Mhúirne.
We had a tiny tester audience in Dublin for its last run in the rehearsal room before hitting the road and two of the children were able to follow the story, and enjoy it, despite not having strong Irish. The visual element and the unfolding live sound track and score amplify atmosphere and deepen comprehension, if needed.
Who is it aimed at?
The show is aimed at children from six to seven years plus. It’s difficult to put an end range on the age that might enjoy it – so far young audiences seem to really enjoy the technical elements of the show – but probably 11.
That said, we have had children up to the age of 14 and they said they weren’t bored and they were keen on finding out how everything worked. Where we can we do a post-performance show and tell for everyone which the children really enjoy.
Who is Faolán Ó Murchú-Toner and what’s his contribution?
A crucial part of this post-show element is my 14-year old son Faolán, who’s toy box was raided to make the show in the first place! Faolán is set up with his own mini camera and projector and he guides children through the various processes and lets them have a hands on play with everything. I wanted to give children a peer-to-peer experience that would enhance enjoyment of a theatrical
space.
You have strong West Cork connections – discuss!
I was born in Cork but have lived in Dublin most of my life – if people ask me where I’m from I always say ‘born in Cork, raised in Dublin!’. Both my father’s parents were from Cork – his mother Kitty Collins was from just outside Bandon and his father’s people were on the lighthouses.
His grandfather and my great-grandfather was principal keeper on Fastnet for many years, and even saw the Titanic pass by the Lonely Rock – possibly the last ever sighting of the doomed ship; while my grandad’s – Kevin Murphy – favourite posting was Ballycotton.
This was my grandmother’s favourite spot too, and they continued to holiday in Ballycotton/Goleen for many years afterwards.
So I have a lot of deep connections to the area. I spent happy childhood summers on Oileán Chléire and in Baile Mhúirne and am really looking forward to bringing the show to this very special part of the world.
What’s your working background?
I have been haunting theatres for over 20 years in a variety of capacities. My recent work includes Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill’s Irish language translation of Aeschylus’s The Persians for the Abbey Theatre, Maria Callas in Masterclass – both directed by Conor Hanratty, and shortly before that I played the part of the great Mícheál Mac Liammóir in Waltzáil Abhaile at The Taidhbhearc in
Galway. As an actor I relied heavily on the brilliance of the design teams of both! I also write regularly for Fair City and am lucky enough to have had a number of radio plays produced.
The show is actually based on a trilogy I wrote published by Cló Iar-Chonnachta. It is a follow-up to a show which dealt with themes of called Transmission which played at the Abbey on the Peacock Stage for Dublin Fringe
Festival during the pandemic. Transmission was inspired by my grandfather and great grandfathers,
principal lighthouse keepers
at Fastnet, Ballycotton, Cobh and the Skelligs among
others.
Prior to all that I was an in-vision continuity announcer on RTÉ, a great training ground for live performance and how to deal with things when they go wrong!
• A Suburban Legend will be performed on Saturday June 8th at 4pm at Coláiste Pobail Chléire in Cape Clear and Tuesday June 11th at 12pm at- Ionad Cultúrtha an Dochtúir Ó Loinsigh in Ballyvourney.
