BRINGING YOU THE BEST IN 2012.
‘A remarkably uplifting and extraordinarily moving memoir in motion’
Druid Theatre presents
Irish Independent
‘effortlessly funny and rhythmically dazzling’ Brooklyn Rail
Colin Dunne in
Out of Time Colin Dunne’s acclaimed solo show comes to Backstage following an extensive tour in the US and Brazil. Perhaps best known for his performances and choreography in Riverdance, make sure you see Colin in this Oliver Award nominated and Critic’s Circle Award nominated show this Christmas.
Thursday 15th December
8:30pm €16/€14
By John B Keane Directed by Garry Hynes
SOLD OUT!
Tue 20th - Thur 22nd Dec.
8:30pm €25/€20
Big Maggie
Fri 20th January 8pm Sat 21st & Sun 22nd 3pm Thurs 26th & Fri 27th 8pm Sat 28th 3pm Friday 10th February Sunday 12th February Thurs 16th-Sat 18th Feb Fri 24th & Sat 25th Feb Thurs 1st March Sat 3rd & Sun 4th March Tues 6th March Thurs 8th & Fri 9th March Sat 10th March Sun 11th March Thurs 22nd & Fri 23rd Mar Wed 28th-Sat 31st March Tuesday 3rd April Friday 13th April
Backstage Youth Theatre
Rough Magic Theatre Co. Sanctuary Players The Corn Mill Theatre Evolution Stage School Tavaziva Dance Barnstorm Theatre Co.
Icarus Theatre Collective Backstage Theatre Group
Saturday 14th April Fri 20th - Sat 28th April (excluding Mon 23rd)
St. Mel’s Musical Society
www.backstage.ie
Alex In Wonderland
Noel Monahan Fureys & Davey Arthur Plaza Suite Love in the Title Victor’s Dung The Beat Goes On Sensual Africa A Murder Of Crows Neil Delamere Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Macbeth Many Young Men Of Twenty Barry Norman’s Favourite Films Longford Dance Fest
Faulty Towers - The Dining Experience Carousel
Fri 20th January 8pm Sat 21st & Sun 22nd 3pm Thurs 26th & Fri 27th 8pm Sat 28th 3pm 8:30pm 8:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 8:30 pm 7:30pm 8:30pm 10.00am and 2.30pm 8:30pm 2:00pm 10:30am & 12:30pm 8:30pm 8:00pm Day Ticket 9:30am-6:00pm Evening Ticket 8:30pm Day & Evening Ticket 8:00pm 8:00pm TICKETS ON SALE NOW
€12/€8
Free admission €25 €22/€18 €15/€12 €15/€12 €15 / €12 for u-12s €15/€12 €7.50 €20/€18 €10 €10 €15/€12 (Wed. €12/€10) €18/€16 €15/€10 €15/€10 €25/€15 €45 inc. four course meal Fri 20th & Sun 22nd €15 Tues €18/€13 All other nights €18
Check out our new look website on backstage.ie for all the latest news and information about up-coming shows. Check out video trailers for the shows as well as insider information on our blog and facebook feed.
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Panto Time!!! BACKSTAGE YOUTH THEATRE presents
Alex in Wonderland by Brendan Williams Directed by Paul Higgins In this fun packed version of the much loved tale, the White Rabbit gets all mixed up and brings ‘Alex’, and not Alice, back to Wonderland! There she meets some of the familiar Wonderland characters; Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, the Cheshire Cat and of course the Mad Hatter. backstage The Red Queen and her nasty side-kick Dr Evil are about to take over Wonderland, unless our heroes can come up with a plan to stop her. theatre As with any panto, there will be lots of music and dancing, plenty of comedy moments and more than a few surprises, which will enchant young and old alike.
€12/€8 Fri 20th Jan. 8:00pm Sat 21st & Sun 22nd 3:00pm Thurs 26th& Fri 27th 8:00pm Sat 28th 3:00pm January
What better way to kick start the New Year than with a Backstage Youth Theatre Panto! Laugh your way into 2012!
5 booking: 043 33 47 888 online: backstage.ie
A Celebration of Award Winning
Poet & Playwright
Noel Monahan
in association with County Longford Arts Office
Noel, Originally from Granard, has published five collections of poetry. His most recent publication was “Curve of The Moon” published by Salmon poetry in 2011. His literary awards include among others, The SeaCat National Award organised by Poetry Ireland. In 2001, he won The PJ O’Connor RTE Radio Drama Award for his play “Broken Cups” and in 2002 he was awarded the A.S.T.I. Achievements Award for his contribution to literature at home and abroad. His work has been translated into Italian, French, Romanian and Russian. His most recent plays include: “The Children of Lir” performed by Livin’ Dred Theatre which appeared at Backstage. His poetry is now prescribed text for the Leaving Certificate English Course 2011 and 2012. To celebrate the work of this award winning poet and playwright, a number of writers from the various writers groups in County Longford will read from Noel’s five books of poetry. The evening will be interspersed with music and song.
Friday 10th February
8:30pm Free admission but booking essential
re & Th tu Da e F rn ve u to y A rey Ba rt s ck hu st r ag e
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booking: 043 33 47 888 online: backstage.ie
Fureys & Davey Arthur Renowned for their hit songs ‘I Will love you’, ‘When You Were Sweet 16’, ‘The Green Fields of France’, ‘Red Rose Café’, ‘From Clare to Here’, ‘Leaving Nancy’, ‘Steal Away’ etc. - they have been entertaining audiences worldwide for 34 years. The Fureys are responsible for some of the most stirring music ever to capture the public imagination. Their folk songs and music have received standing ovations in some of the biggest concert halls in the world. An evening in the company of the Fureys songs and stories will bring you laughter and tears and banish any cares or woes away.
Sunday 12th February
8:30pm €25
The Furey’s never fail to entertain the crowds at Backstage, we’re sure this time round will be no different. Book early Furey’s tickets always sell fast.
“A fantastically enjoyable night at the theatre” The Irish Times “Brilliantly funny” The Irish Independent “Razor-sharp wit … it’s a treat” The Sunday Independent
7 booking: 043 33 47 888 online: backstage.ie
ROUGH MAGIC THEATRE COMPANY presents
Plaza Suite
by Neil Simon
Hilarious hit comedy from one of America’s most popular dramatists and author of the classics ‘The Odd Couple’ and ‘Brighton Beach Memoirs’. Following the hits ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ and ‘Improbable Frequency’, Rough Magic makes a welcome return to Longford with a superb cast in this stylish comedy. One of Neil Simon’s most popular and celebrated plays, PLAZA SUITE details the misadventures of three very different couples facing crucial moments in their respective lives all set in the same room in New York’s world-famous Plaza Hotel. PLAZA SUITE showcases Simon at his best - witty, sophisticated and deliciously funny. CAST: Karen Ardiff, Stephen Brennan, Paul Curley, Darragh Kelly, Mark Lambert, Eleanor Methven, Valerie O’Connor, Ali White.
Thurs 16th - Sat 18th Febraury
8:00pm €22/€18
DISCOUNT DEAL: All tickets €18 if you book before 22nd Dec
One of Ireland’s top theatre companies with one of the worlds funniest plays … simply unmissable.
8 booking: 043 33 47 888 online: backstage.ie
SANCTUARY PLAYERS present
Love in the Title by Hugh Leonard Directed by Donal Kelly One magical afternoon in the fields of Corcamore, free-spirited Katie is joined by younger incarnations of Triona, her mother and Catherine, her grandmother. The three women talk about their lives and loves, try to make sense of the past and discuss their hopes for the future. Through their intensely personal stories, a portrait of a family, a country and a century takes shape. Their dialogue on social prejudices, religious fervour and the eternal trouble with men is often humorous. It movingly evokes the mixture if nostalgia and progressiveness by which the 20th century is remembered. Love in the Title celebrates, with biting humour and poignancy, the indomitable spirit, strength and determination of three generations of Irish women.
Fri. 24th & Sat 25th Febraury
8:30pm €15/€12
We’re looking forward to see what Sanctuary Players do with this classic Hugh Leonard play.
9 booking: 043 33 47 888 online: backstage.ie
THE CORN MILL THEATRE presents
Victor’s Dung by Writer, Director and Actor Seamus O'Rourke. Victor’s Dung is set in a farm yard, complete with its very own dung heap, outdoor toilet and rather poor broadband reception. It is the comic tale of Victor Maguire, a crude, vulgar, abrupt, un-PC Cavan farmer who gets a surprise one Friday morning. We are then taken on whirlwind journey through Victor’s somewhat sad and unconventional life, meeting up with many a strange bucko along the way … Hold on to your hats … and your sweets (because there maybe Cavan people in the audience) … this could get messy ...!
Thurs 1st March
8:30pm €15/€12
Audiences were raving about this show when it feautred the All Ireland Drama Finals so we jumped at the opportunity to have it return to Backstage
10 booking: 043 33 47 888 online: backstage.ie
EVOLUTION STAGE SCHOOL KINNEGAD presents
Following the huge success of their sellout Christmas shows, Evolution Stage School return to Backstage with their Kinnegad students.
Special Guests: The Hilarious June Rodgers and Tenor Paul Hennessy
Sat. 3rd & Sun 4th March
7:30pm €15/€12 for u-12s
This fun filled variety show will feature your favourites from Stage, Screen and more. A show for all the family!!
We’re looking forward to seeing what talents Kinnegad students have in store for us.
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TAVAZIVA DANCE present
Sensual Africa Sensual Africa is a choreographic work of art, crafted with sublime precision inspired by Bawren Tavaziva's trip to one of Africa's most beautiful and compact countries Malawi. Malawi…untouched, pure, raw, natural, unearthed, mysterious, rich in culture and life. In a nutshell…SENSUAL. Voyage with Bawren Tavaziva “...a major contributor to the UK dance scene" and his company of “outstanding dancers” as they salute and pay homage to the fascinating Tumbuka and Chewa Tribes and their intriguing movements and music. Age recommendation +12 yrs
Tuesday 6th March
8:30pm €15/€12
“…an invigorating mix of contemporary and African styles.” The Guardian “outstanding dancers.” The Stage, March 2011
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booking: 043 33 47 888 online: backstage.ie
BARNSTORM THEATRE COMPANY presents
A Murder of Crows by Mike Kenny in collaboration with Barnstorm Theatre Company A Murder of Crows is a dynamic and theatrically exciting play for children aged 8 and over. Based on the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel, the play explores themes of famine, family loyalties and personal growth. Six actors weave a gothic story of two children's journey from abandonment and fear to ultimate survival, seen from the quirky perspective of a chorus of raucous and garrulous crows, whose boisterous antics will delight children.
Thurs. 8th & Fri. 9th March
10:00am 12:30pm â‚Ź7.50
This is a really beautiful and visually captivating show that will capture kids from the very beginning
13 booking: 043 33 47 888 online: backstage.ie
‘simply put, Delamere is a master’ Scotsman ‘one lean, mean comedy killing-machine’ The Herald
Neil Delamere Reconstructing 2011 Join Neil as he come to terms with the changes in the country, the world and more importantly his own living arrangements! Handy hints on how to handle the UK traffic police will be dispensed as well as sage advice on why not to pour olive oil in your ears. One of the sharpest comedy minds in the Irish comedy scene today, this born story-teller takes to the stage with his original brand of razor sharp wit and hilarious anecdotes making Restructuring a must-see for any discerning comedy fan. If you’re looking for a night of out and out laughter then look no further. Hilarious off the cuff comedy from this five star comedy maestro.
Saturday 10th March
8:30pm €20/€18
14 booking: 043 33 47 888 online: backstage.ie
Look out Kids! Much loved Disney characters from four popular TV shows appear together live on stage in an unforgettable celebration of the Magic that is Disney.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with Special Guests For the first time ever your much loved Disney characters from four popular TV shows appear together live on stage in an unforgettable celebration of the Magic that is Disney. The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Tribute brings audiences into the colorful worlds of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Iggle Piggle, Upsy Daisy, Dora the Explorer, Boots the Monkey and Peppa Pig. The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Tribute brings together these wonderful characters, live on stage, right before their eyes in this exciting and fun filled musical production as they sing and dance to all their favorite songs.
Sunday 11th March
2:00pm FAMILY TICKET: â‚Ź10.00 Five for â‚Ź40
This really is one that all the little ones are just going to love. Book early for this one it's going to go fast!
See all your favourite characters in this LIVE SHOW!
“Remarkably high octain…exhilarating to watch” “As gripping as any Hollywood blockbuster” “an almost perfectly accurate reproduction of the text”
15 booking: 043 33 47 888 online: backstage.ie
Icarus Theatre Collective presents
Macbeth Highly acclaimed Icarus Theatre Collective presents a bold and exciting performance of Shakespeare's most bloody and fear-filled tragedy. Lauded as one of the most fearless and dynamic theatre companies in the UK, receiving critical accolades including Time Out's Critics Choice, and winning awards from as far afield as Romania, this new production goes straight for the jugular. Blending traditional and inventive physical theatre techniques, original music, evocative design, and using the original verse, this slick production is perfect for audiences new to Macbeth and those already well acquainted with Shakespeare’s tragedies When we read the reviews for this company we just had to book them.
Thurs 22nd & Fri 23rd March
10:30am & 2:30pm €10
16 booking: 043 33 47 888 online: backstage.ie
BACKSTAGE THEATRE GROUP presents
Many Young Men of Twenty By John B Keane Directed by Gus Hanley Assisted by Christian Dann Set in 1960’s rural Ireland, Many Young Men of Twenty, is a hilarious and sometimes heart-wrenching look at emigration and hardship through the eyes of Danger Mulally, played by Benny O Brien. Steeped in classic John B Keane humor, the play is considered by many to be one of Keane’s finest, and whilst it deals with a dark topic that has particular resonance in today’s climate, the play is also raucously funny.
Featuring Live music throughout the play.
Wed 28th - Sat 31st Mar
Thur - Sat Wed. 8:30pm €12/€10 €15/€12
Proceeds from Wednesday night in aid of Attic Youth Café
This play really does have a bit of everything, live music on stage mixed with plenty of laughter and high drama performed by a cast of 15.
17 booking: 043 33 47 888 online: backstage.ie
booking: 043 33 47 888 online: backstage.ie
Barry Norman’s Favourite Films Barry Norman, the ultimate authority on movies, has interviewed most of the best loved stars of the silver screen. In this highly amusing evening Barry presents extracts from his all time favourite films. The list is an eclectic one and Barry will talk about the merits of each film and the stars who worked on them; along with some fascinating anecdotes and insights into the movie industry. Barry's list includes all time greats like ‘Casablanca’ and ‘The Godfather’ as well as a few surprises ... and why not? This is a unique opportunity for theatre going film lovers to meet the man who has so many great stories to tell of the rich and famous film actors and their antics both on and off screen. Is it April 3rd yet? Is it April 3rd yet? Is it April 3rd yet?
Tuesday 3rd April
8:00pm €18/€16
18 booking: 043 33 47 888 online: backstage.ie
As part of Longford Dance Fest competitors for INDA will take to the stage at 10am with a surprise international adjudicator assessing the talents of dancers from across the country. At 1pm the ever popular Free Stage kick starts in the Canal Studio facilitated by Fidget Feet followed by modern dance performance in the main auditorium at 3pm. Shawbrook Youth Dance senior company will entertain the crowds at 5pm just before the much anticipated Awards Ceremony. Through out the day surprise professional dancers will grace the stage.
Friday 13th April
Day ticket €15/€10 9.30am to 6pm Eve ticket €15/€10 8.30pm Day & evening €25/€15
19 booking: 043 33 47 888 online: backstage.ie
The evening programme begins at 8:30pm with a performance of the famous Pearly Beach followed by the main event of the day…
Det Ferösche Compagnie presents
A Voyage into The Faroes An exciting dance piece performed by Kjartan Hansen,Búi Dam, Jens L. Thomsen and Kristina Sørensen Ougaard. Travel with DFC into the dark myths and stories of The Faroe Islands surrounded by ancient psalms and hymns mixed together into disturbing and beautiful sounds and images. See www.dfc.fo for full details
Friday 13th April
8.30pm Evening ticket €15/€10 Day & Evening €25/€15
po pu Ba la ck rd b em y an d!
‘a once in a lifetime dining experience!’ British Theatre Guide booking: 043 33 47 888 online: backstage.ie
Faulty Towers…
‘spot on… brilliantly played… utterly delicious entertainment’ Edinburgh Evening News ‘the best show at the Festival … ingenious … by far the best comedy show I have ever been to’ Sunday Express
the dining experience After an outragously funny evening at Backstage last summer Basil, Sybil and Manuel return to serve you dinner and a feast of comic delights, some familiar some off the cuff but all with a “Faulty” seasoning and a guarantee to keep you laughing all the way to the desert. Everything that can go wrong does, in some beautifully controlled chaos. Just don't mention the war! Featuring all the best gags and a great meal Faulty Towers…the dining experience has been winning fans and accolades at Edinburgh, Melbourne and Adelaide Festivals for the last four years.
Saturday 14th April
8:00pm €45 inc. four course meal
They had us in absolute stitches last year can't wait to see what lies in store this season.
21 booking: 043 33 47 888 online: backstage.ie
ST. MEL’S MUSICAL SOCIETY presnts
Carousel The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic Featuring the well-known songs “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, “If I Loved You” and “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over”. CAROUSEL initially opened on Broadway in 1945 and has gone on to great success both there and the West End over the year. In 1999 TIME magazine named CAROUSEL the best musical of the 20th century. The story of the show revolves around carousel barker Billy Bigelow, whose romance with mill worker Julie Jordan comes at a price of both their jobs. He attempts a robbery to provide for Julie and their unborn child and when it goes wrong, he has a chance to make things right. A secondary plot line deals with mill worker Carrie Pipperidge and her romance with ambitious fisherman Enoch Snow.
Fri 20th - Sat 28th April (excluding Mon 23rd)
8:00pm Fri 20th & Sun 22nd €15 Tues €18/€13 All other nights €18
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Tickets for this year’s show are available right now so don’t get caught out book early, it’s gonna be a good ’un!
State of the art studio fully equipped for conferences, workshops, performances and classes. The Canal Studio at Backstage Theatre is ideal for conferences, seminars, courses, workshops, meetings and accommodates up to 150 people. Fully equipped with Wifi internet access, audio visual equipment, projector and projector screen, high tech lighting, podium, microphones, dvd player, flip boards and of course our fabulous and very accommodating technical team who are on hand to help in any way they can. Why not make full use of all our facilities and utilise our 212 seater Auditorium, The Atrium Gallery space and Coffee Dock, Meeting Room etc to make sure that your conference all the more memorable. Come and speak to Mona, Sean and Doug to discuss how you can make the most out of your experience at Backstage. We can make sure you and your guests are fully satisfied with their service in this high tech multi purpose facility.
Backstage Gift Voucher The gift to suit every taste…. If you’re looking for a gift for someone who has everything - for someone who enjoys a great night out, then look no further than a Backstage Gift Voucher.
www.backstage.ie
Not sure what they like? We have something to suit every taste and mood; comedy, drama, music, dance … and with vouchers valid for one year, they certainly have plenty to choose from.