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Innovative year for Baboró International Arts Festival
Photo: Sofia Hadef.
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By Sophia Hadef
Based in Galway, Baboró International Arts Festival for Children is Ireland’s flagship festival dedicated exclusively to children and families. And as 2020 has changed all the festivals plans, Baboró had to present most of their performances and events online or outdoors. From the 5th October to the 18th of October, they adapted their programme to introduce audiences to ground - breaking digital experiences.
By Niamh Casey
The James Hardiman Library has launched a new digital collection of photographs, annotated scripts, letters, diaries and more all belonging to the actress and writer, Genevieve Lyons. The exhibition is a tribute to her achievements and documents her career and theatre life in Dublin from the late 1940s, 50s and into the early 60s.
Genevieve Lyons was born in Dublin in 1930, and her love of theatre grew while she was working and growing up in the city. This love saw her join the Brendan Smith Academy in 1948. Her talent as an actress developed and she graduated with a Diploma in Acting in 1950. The digital archive includes headshots of the young actress which would have been essential to have as someone debuting in the industry.
Lyons’ diary, kept in the late 1940s and early 1950s, gives a personal insight into the social life of Dublin city at the time, as well as her life as an emerging actress. The Globe Theatre Company of which Lyons was a central member of, was founded in 1954 by Godfrey Quigley, who was also Lyons’ husband. It was viewed as “a unique experience in the Irish Theatre” as its goals were to establish a place outside of the urban centre of Dublin city for professional theatre. The Globe Theatre Company, as well as showing Irish productions, debuted many international productions to Irish audiences for the first time. Lyons took part in many of the plays they presented. Many of the productions she took part in were photographed, with the photos being included in the exhibition.
Some of the productions included in the Hardiman’s collection are ‘The Beaux Stratagem’ by George Farquhar, ‘The Male Animal’ by James and Elliott Nugent Thurber and ‘Dinner with the Family’ by Jean Anouilh.
The photographs in the digital archive really display moments between the cast captured, some
In September, I booked a few Baboró activities and events for my daughter. But when the government decided to enter Level 3 because of the Covid - 19 situation, Baboró emailed me saying that they sadly had to cancel some indoor events that were supposed to happen. No time to get disappointed, they immediately tried to solve the situation. Some events were online via Zoom, and we had a lovely time. Baboró is passionate about enhancing children’s lives with art and in these difficult times more than ever. are on stage and some are behind the scenes. Lyons’ passion for her trade still shines through in these photos. Some of the other key roles include the role of Marion in the Irish premiere of J.P. Donleavy’s stage adaptation of his novel, ‘The Ginger Man’, which was famously censored and shut down after three performances in 1959 due to the disfavour of the Catholic Church. The church disapproved of the play’s depiction of sexuality and it’s comments on religion.
Lyons was well-known for her talent in theatre society. She often acted in Irish premieres of European and American plays. She performed for large crowds too, and acted in John Van Druton’s ‘I Am a Camera’, which was seen by over 15,000 people at the Gas Works Theatre in Dun Laoghaire in 1956.
The digital exhibition showcases her time spent with The Globe Theatre Company during her successful career as an actress. She left the company in 1960 to move to London, where she became a drama teacher to primary school students and also began her third career as an childrens’ author.
Genevieve Lyons was an exceptional woman, and her character has captivated many to this day. Dr Barry Houlihan, Archivist at NUI Galway, said: “The archive of Genevieve Lyons is a really significant collection. Genevieve was a hugely talented actress who brought so many new roles to life on the Dublin stage, from the Globe Theatre to the Pike Theatre, and to great acclaim. It is wonderful to be able to share this archive online with a global audience and preserve the papers among the vast number of theatre collections of the Hardiman Library.”
Lyons is an important person in Irish cultural history as she was a pioneer for challenging the norm and fighting for the right of liberal expression, both on and off stage. This exhibition really helps showcase an important part of Irish cultural history.
The Electric Kazoo by Paul Noonan was a great success. Paul Noonan, acclaimed frontman of Irish band Bell X1 presented a show on Zoom and Facebook and gave to all the children and their teddys an unforgettable moment. Every child could see a picture of their teddy accompanied by a dedicated song. Paul Noonan developed The Electric Kazoo during the first lockdown in Dublin with the support of his children (who appeared in the Zoom live with giant teddy bears – cuteness at its peak) and fans online all around the world. I also booked an ‘appointment’ with the virtual Children’s Books Ireland Book Clinic, and we loved it. The ‘Book doctor’ asked questions and made a prescription of the books that fit best with the kid’s personality. We laughed a lot, and we got a very long book prescription that we cannot wait to bring with us to our local bookshop around Christmas when (hopefully) normality will be back.
Other events were online such as ‘The University of Imagination and wonder’ set by the theatre company Cahoots NI in Belfast. They broadcasted their interactive theatre bringing magic straight to your home or classroom. Lively lecturers, themed rooms, puzzles and magical powers, the spirit of the extraordinary theatre was genuinely present. Baboró was able to make outdoor events and activities happen. ‘Sing Me to the Sea’ was a multisensory magical adventure for children with special needs created by Bray - based director Anna Newel and composer David Goodall. Their work has been seen from Broadway to South Africa, and now graces our shores through a tour of the Ireland and the UK. ‘Sing Me to the Sea’ was initially set in a hydro pool, but it was re-imagined to create connection during this time of social distancing.
Baboró ruled this 2020 edition, and we all look forward to next year’s edition with, we hope, no restrictions. You can donate to their charity on baboro.ie, every euro you donate goes directly towards
A second national lockdown didn’t stop the children’s festival from delighting and inspiring young minds across the city. Photo: Sofia Hadef.
Genevieve Lyons exhibition
a creative or cultural experience for a child.
Coiste Gno
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
2020 -2021
Vice President / Education Officer Leas Uachtarán / Oifigeach Oideachais
Emma Sweeney
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Pádraic Toomey
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Róisín Nic Lochlainn
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Erin Mac An tSaoir
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Michelle Mitchell
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Maeve Arnup
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Patricia O’Mahony
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Sebastiaan Bierema
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Kirsty Moran
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Convenor of the College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies / Tionólaí Choláiste na nDán, na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta & an Léinn Cheiltigh
Claire McHale
091 493 570 su.arts@nuigalway.ie Convenor of the College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences / Tionólaí Choláiste an Leighis, an Altranais & na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte
Evan O’Flaherty
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Aoife Buckley
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