Galway Arts Festival Programme 1994 by Galway International Arts Festival

Board Of Directors Tom Conroy, Kieran Corcoran, Gerry Coy, John Crumlish, Padraig Ferry (Chairman), Patricia Forde (Festival Director), Padraic Boran, Paraic Breathnach, Frances Burke, Declan Gibbons, Carolanne Joyce, Jean Parkinson. Festival Director: Patricia Forde Festival Manager: Fergal McGrath Office Manager: Frances Burke Programme Co-Ordinator: Elizabeth McDonagh Production: John Crumlish Lighting: David Murphy Box Office: Oeclan Gibbons Baboro Director: Jean Parkinson Publicity: Maureen Hughes, Mary McCarthy, Orla Nix Friends Co-Ordinator: Carolanne Joyce Graphic Design: Ted Turton Poster Illustration: Jimmy Lawlor Brochure Text: Judy Murphy Merchandising: Gerry Coy Festival Club: Larry Hynes Administration: Jenny Kelly, Michelle Heaney, Leigh Gillen, Joanie Barrett, Monica Hogan, Fiona I<ilkelly, Brid Johnston Volunteer Co-Ordinator: Susan McKenna Programme Commitee Popular Music: Padraic Boran Visual Arts: Kieran Corcoran Baboro: Jean Parkinson Macnas Parade: Padraig Breathnach Traditional Music: Maureen Hughes Classical Music: Jacinta Dwyer and Jane O'Leary Film Fleadh: Miriam Allen, Lelia Doolin Carnival Of Clowns: Elizabeth McKieman, in association with Galway Youth Theatre

the to elcome seventeenth Galway Arts Festival. This has been a great year for the festival with a generous increase in our Arts Council support, EU funding for the first time, and the promise of not one but two new theatres for the 1995 festival! To celebrate these great events we have put together our most exciting programme yet with over 300 events featuring artists from all over the world. Continuing our policy of last year, there is no "main event" as such but there is an enormous variety of shows to choose from in ever y section of the programme. There is alternative circus from Berlin with GOSH; drama from Cuba with Thea tro Buendia and scorching sexual politics from New York with Penny Arcade and Bitch! Dyke! Faghag! Whore! Locally, things are no less exciting with a new Macnas show, Buile Shuibhne/ Sweeny to look forward to and the return of Garry Hynes and Marie Mullen to Druid for Silver/ands. There are also the delights of the Film Fleadh to be savoured along with Music, Readings, Comedy and the Visual Arts. Down in Nun's Island Babar6 is set to offer our younger followers their most excit ing programme yet with acts from all over the world and lot s of free workshops for those who aren't happy to just sit back and watch. The streets are set to come to life this year with a newly commissioned piece put together with the generous help of hoards of volunteers and calle d The Carnival of Clowns. There's also the Macnas Parade, The Tribes, to look forward to on July 17th. From France, Les Pietons and Les Freres Topolino bring their brand of street entertainment and hopefully some sunshine. Congratulations to our Street Bursar y winners, The Flying Pigs who will present two pieces for the street throughout the festival. Finally I would like to thank our hard working manager Fergal McGrath, our Board of Directors, all our staff and volunteers, our sponsors and all of you who make this event possible. Enjoy it!

CONTENTS Music......................................................2 Lunchtime At The FestivaL ...............9 Theatre.................................................13 Friends Of The Festival.....................19 Day By Day Programme...................20 Comedy...............................................23 Film Fleadh.........................................24 Map Of Venues...................................27 Street Theatre ......................................28 Babor6 (Childrens Festival) ..............32 Literary Events...................................34 Visual Arts..........................................36 Theatre For Galway ...........................39 Sponsors..............................................40

BOOKING For personal callers: Box Office, The Comstore, Middle Street, Galway. Open Mon-Sat, 10am-5.30pm Credit Card Hot Line 09166577 Box Office Information 09166664 10am-7pm Mon-Sat, ,

! Concessions are available, with lD please, for students,

unwaged and senior citizens.

Galway Arts Festival reserve the right to aller any advertised programme if necessary.

Design by Ted Turton Cover illustration by Jimmy Lawlor

Festival T- Shirts Brochures and Posters are available from the Corns tore Middle Street

M1cliael Nyman

Fronrmala Hunt

Michael Nyman Fisheries Field, Big Top. Sat 23rd July, 8.00 p.m. Michael Nyman is one of the world's foremost contemporary composers and though possibly best known for his score for the award winning film The Piano, he has done much more. Nyman has also provided music for 18 Peter Greenway films including

The Cook, Tlie Thief, His Wife and Her Lover, P r osepro's Books, and The Draughtman's Contract. He is a highly

flexible composer, whose catalogue also includes orchestral, chamber, vocal and choral works, dance and operas. His operatic work The Maďż˝

Wh o Mistook His Wife for a Hat

constantly in production around the world. Since 1977 Nyman has composed for his ensemble, the Michael Nyman Band, and for a wide range of media and artists internationally. His musical career has also involved collecting folk music in Romania, editing baroque and new music, criticism, performing and lecturing. In 1992 Nyman collaborated on a 30 minute film for Channel Four called The Final Score, in which he pays tribute to the game of football, and especially QPR.

Irish Chamber Orchestra Fionnuala Hunt, leader

Friday July 15 St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church 8:00p.m.

Music for a Summer's Evening Pachelbel: Canon John Kinsella: Nocturne for Strings (1990) Bach: Air on a G String Mozart: Divertimento, K. 136

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons

The Irish Chamber Orchestra was formed in 1970 by Dublin's finest chamber-music players. Described as "dazzling", "impressive", and "challenging ", the orchestra is now firmly established as a significant part of Ireland's cultural life. The orchestra performs regularly in the National Concert Hall, in festivals throughout Ireland, and broadcasts frequently on RTE radio and television. Intema tional touring has brought the Irish Chamber Orchestra to almost every European country, as well as the USA, China and Russia. The ICO has recorded three albums with Michďż˝al O Suilleabhain and has

also released CD's with pianist Stephen Kovacevich and trumpeter Graham Ashton. The ICO was initially directed by Andre Prieur. After a period working with baroque specialist Nicholas Kraemer, artistic direction of the orchestra is now with the American pianist/ conductor Stephen Kovacevich. The ICO has visited Galway in recent years with such distinguished guest artists as Yehudi Menuhin, Nigel Kennedy, Michaela Petri, and Hugh Tinney. The orchestra's leader, Fionnuala Hunt, has worked with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and the Bavarian State Opera Orchestra in Munich and was co-leader of the National Symphony Orchestra in Dublin for three years.

The ICO's Arts Festival programme features well-loved works by Mozart and Bach together with the ever "Four popular Seasons". Contemporary Irish music is represented by John Kinsella's "Nocturne", written in 1990 for the ICO. The New York Times described the ICO as having "a smoothness and

mellowness of tone that seduced the

ear"-perfect music for summertime listening! Presented by MUSIC FOR GALWAY Sponsored by

Bank oflreland

MUSIC

Galway Arts Festival Souvenir Programme '94

throughout Central Africa and have a large following in Kenya and Botswana where they have played to crowds numbered in thousands. This is their first trip to Europe or indeed out of Africa. A couple of the band members were victims of polio at birth and as a result carry some disability but this does nothing to deter them. Their motto is "Disability is not Inability".

positive, and are his way of building his own code for living in a time when confusion is abundanl

Susan McKeown & Chanting House

Liam Og O'Floinn

Acoustic Room, O'Connors' Warwick Hotel Weds 20 July, 8.30 p.m.

R6isfn Dubh, Dominick Street Fri 22 July, 9.30 p.m.

New York based singer-songwriter Susan McKeown is from Dublin, and with her band Chanting House she blends Irish music with urban folk rock. Her talents caught the attention of Scotti Brothers Records in 1993, and they released her song I Were You on their Straight Outta Ireland album. She plays regularly in New York, where she has been described by critics as being capable of stunning a room to silence. "Susan McKeown will sing a plaint ive air imbued with sexual undertones, or a lover's longing. Slower songs can be truly exquisite, but others can be stern and even bitter, as with the sexually explicit lyrics of Carouser." - Hot Press.

David Gray

Acoustic Room, O'Connors' Warwick Hotel, Sat 23 July, 11.00 p.m.

This 25 year old Welsh singer songwriter has attracted major attention since the rele ase of his debut album,A Century Ends , this year. Gray is on his second visit to Galway, and many people will have seen his gig in O'Connors' Warwick Hotel earlier this year. In concert Gray shines. His lyrics are forthright and to the point, and his voice is outstanding. Whether he is singing about the end of a relationship , or the thrill of lust, or the stark social realit ies of a sometimes harsh world, Gray makes his listener feel the emotion. He says that his songs head towards the

Model was a big success around Europe when the film scooped first prize at the Barcelona Film Festival, Johnny has kept a low profile over the years. Nowadays, he prefers to concentrate on his writing and his sixth album Don Quixote will be released later this Summer. Galway Arts Festival are delighted to have persuaded Johnny to come out of seclusion for this one off solo performance.

Johnny Duhan

The Acoustic Room, O'Connors Warwick Hotel. Fri. July 15th., 8.30 p.m.

Johnny Duhan's songs are slowly becoming modern Irish cl assics. Titles like "The Voyage", made popular by Christy Moore and "Trying to get the Balance Right" which was first recorded by Mary Black, can regularly be heard echoing from chapels and schools, as well as the more orthodox clubs and bars up and down the country. But though his songs have been recorded by almost every major Irish recording artist and his score for Reefer and the

Uileann Piper Liam O'Floinn is one of Ireland's foremost musicians, known both for his live performances and excellent albums. As well as his own three solo albums he has collabrated with Sean Keane and Matt Molloy on their work. He has also worked closely with composer and musician Shaun Davy and features on Gra11naile, Pilgrim and TIit Siege of Derry. Liam O' Floinn wa! the chief piper on the recording ol The Brendn11 Voyage, the music whidÂ marked the remarkable journey ol sailor Tim Severin from Kerry tc Newfoundland. i! Li am accompanied for this gig by Art} McGlynn and Neil Martin. Art} McGlynn is one of Ireland's bes known traditional musicians and b} Neil Martin who is a former solois with the Irish Concert Orchestra.

Sean Smyth, Steve CooneJ and Friends

Acoustic Room, O'Connors' Warwicl Hotel. Monday 18th July, 8.30 p.m. Sean returns from London for thi welcome, rare, pairing in th O'Connors Warwick Acousti Room.His latest debut album Th Blue Fiddle received wide critica acclaim. "A diverse briskly inventi v thoroughly delectable solo debut b one of Ireland's most talente musicians, Sean Smyth." Irish Post. "An important album in th modernisation of Irish Music." In Dublin

Go n-eirf go gael leis an bhFeile 0

Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe Amharclann Naisiunta na Gaeilge Teo

Dramaiocht / Drama Taispeantaisi / Exhibitions Ceardlainne / Workshops Ceol/Music Eolas / Information:

Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe, Middle St. Galway. Tel: (091) 62024 / 63600 Fax: (091) 63195 ��rORARY IR1s,.,

e,O�

THE

-1�,_

GRAINSTORE Q_.,(,

��Ii

...,

'.'(,

�.

c�

l' • RESTAUR��

Art Gallery Contemporary Irish Craft Centre Restaurant and Cafe

The Arts Festival Exhibition is "Wood, Earth, Paint" by Eric Pearce, Cormac Boydell, and Sarah Walker Inconjunction with the Children's Festival we are showing ceramics by children from the Westside Project. The Grainstore for fine food, art, craft and prints. Open 10 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday

THE GRAINSTORE, LOWER ABBEYGATE STREET, GALWAY. TEL. 091 66620

r i,tr1 c}ttt7.rt e l

THEATRE Don't Tell Mama Mary Ryan and Aideen Gohery. An Taibhdhearc, Middle Street, Wed. July 20 - Thurs. July 21. 1.10 p.m. In this hilarous new s how, Mary Ryan and Aideen Gohery sing, dance and fight their way through the crazy world of show-biz. From the Hollywood hills to a steamy night club act, this show has it all. The duo will sing songs from Cabaret, Follies, Chicago, Sweet Charity, Kiss Me Kate, Company, The Rink and The Blues.

We'll Always Have Casablanca Flying Pigs Theatre Company. The Kings Head, 15 High St., Galway. Wed. July 13 - Sat. July 23 (except Sunday 17). 1.05 p.m. daily. This lunchtime comedy recreates the smokey atmosphere of a Chicago speak easy in the prohibition years. Set in the golden era of jazz, using the King's Head's own Jazz Masters, Flying Pig celebrate the blissful marriage of prohibition and jazz, in where else but a Galway-Tavern. The plot centres around gangsters, molls, dons, a fated love triangle, jazz musicians with suspicious violin cases, and a missing case of Blanca. This is the third year that Flying Pigs have participated in the Festival, and this play is the latest in a series of original comedy shows from the group. These pork pilots have spread their comical wings in Galway to much acclaim.

AT THE FESTIVAL

"Prodigously talented pigs. Surely one of the most original and enjoyable groups around." Galway Advertiser.

Catastrophe and Rough For Theatre 1 Punchbag Theatre Company. The Punchbag Theatre, Mon. July 18 - Sat. July 23. 1.10 p.m. daily These two one act plays by Samuel Beckett offer a short laconic look at life and death, and other issues which preoccupied the playwright. The stories are set both in and out of the theatre, and are written with a tongue planted firmly in each cheek. The protagonists in both works are vulnerable, but quietly defiant. Each play gently mocks players, playwright and audience with a mix of realism and classical structure that tickles rather than tackles the psyche. Rough For Theatre 1 was written 20 years before Catastrophe. Despite the time difference, both plays have a great sense of fun, and of psychology.

READINGS

Out of the West An Taibhdhearc, Middle St., Fri. July 15. 1.10 p.m. A poetry reading with three West of Ireland poets; Moya Cannon, Ann O'Dea and Colm Corless. Ann O'Dea is from Galway city. Her poetr y has received considerable attention in recent years, after readings mainly in the West of Ireland . She also performed at CUIRT '93, on R.T.E. and Galway Bay F.M. Her reputation continues to grow. Colm Corless was born in Kinvara and is based in Galway city. He has built up a steady following after many performances west of the Shannon. His poetry has attracted interest from a number of publishers, so we can expect his first collection within the next year or so. Moya Cannon, born in Co. Donegal, now lives and works in Galway. Her first collection, OAR, published in 1990, won the Brendan Behan prize, and was reprinted this year. Moya has read her work in Ge rmany, Austria, the U.S., Scotland, England

and heland. Her work, gracious and intelligent, has been widely anthologised and some poems set to music.

TRADITIONAL MUSIC Martin Hayes. An Taibhdhearc, Middle Street. Thurs. July 14. 1.05 p.m. Clare born Fiddle player Martin Hayes, who now lives in Chicago, comes from a family which is as rich in music as you could want. His father, P.J., and his uncle Paddy Canny are both renowned fiddlers who played with the Tulla Ceili Band. Martin also played with this world famous traditional group. For seven years he played every week for traditional dancers in Ireland, as well as at concerts in England and the United States. Even before he began playing the fiddle at the age of seven, Martin's life was immersed in traditional music. He learned from the old style musicians around the village of Feakle where he grew up. As a teenager, Martin won all the major National Fiddle playing competitions, and was All Ireland Champion six times. His debut album, from Green Linnet record label was launched at last year's Willie Clancy week in Miltown Malbay, where Martin is a teacher, and received an excellent response from critics. Martin's playing style ranges from the relaxed and

LUNCHTIME

1()

unhurried, which is typical of the Clare style of fiddling, to music which can leave listeners breathless. Throughout, he has utter respect for the melody and emotion of the pieces. "Gre at playing and remarkable creativity" - Nuala O'Connor, Irish Times. Sponsor:ed by Smithwick's Sessions

Music a t St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church Monday- Friday 1.10 pm

Galway Arts Festival Souvenir Program,r.

The Irish Reed Qu artet is made up of musicians bawed in Dublin who work with the National Symphony Orchestra. The group is directed by Kenneth Edge, principal saxophonist with the NSO and previous performer at the Galway Arts Festival. The other members are Matthew Manning, principal oboist with the NSO since 1983, Fintan Sutton who holds the position of bass clarinetist with the NSO, and Michael Jones, principal bassoon player since 1980 with the NSO. Formed in 1993 ,the Irish Reed Quartet has performed at most majorlrish venues and has recorded for RTE. This concert marks their Galway debut.

guitar and mandolin player wi& National Symphony Orchestra teaches at the Newpark Music Ce in Dublin.

Richard O'Donnell studied at Indiana University and City University of New York. He has been working in Dublin since 1984 as percussionist with the RTE Concert Orchestra. He has also held positions with the National Orchestras of Colombia and Euskadi (San Sebastien) and performs with the contemporary ensemble Concorde. His programme features dance music for the marimba by the Brazilian composer Ney Rosauro and a unique modern work for oboe and a wide range of percussion instruments by the Greek composer Xenakis.

Friday 22nd July Leinster Opera Studio

Wednesday 20th July Richard O'Donnell, percussion with Matthew Manning, oboe Jane O'Leary, piano

Lisa Mcloughlin

Monday 18th July Lisa McLoughlin, violin Darina Gibson, piano

Lisa McLoughlin is a native of Galway, where she began her violin studies with Paul Corbett. Later she studied advanced violin repertoire with David Lillis, former leader of the RTE Symphony and String Quartet and London orchestras. Lisa has been a member of the National Youth Orchestra for several years and has won numerous prizes at Dublin and Sligo Feis Ceoil. She is currently in her second year at the Royal College of Music, London, studying for a B. Mus. Degree. Her violin Professor is Rodney Friend, former leader of the New York Philharmonic and BBC Orchestras. Tuesday 19th July The Irish Reed Quartet Kenneth Edge, saxophone Matthew Manning, oboe Fintan Sutton, clarinet Michael Jones, bassoon

Thursday 21st July Aedin Halpin, recorders Luke Tobin, guitar

Aedin Halpin began her studies of recorder and flute with Doris Keogh at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. A graduate of Trinity College Dublin, she has studied recorder in Bologna, Italy, and now teaches in Dublin at the Newpark Music Centre and the RIAM. Luke Tobin studied guitar in Vienna. Since returning to Dublin in 1986 he has performed frequently throughout Ireland. He is principal

Aedin and Luke have t performing together as a duo s the Autumn of 1992 and their va programme ranges from the 17th 18th century up to the present , Aedin plays descant, treble, tenor recorders in this recital,

Davidďż˝

Marie Hegarty, soprano Niamh O'Brien, soprano Miriam Murphy, mezzo-soprano Nyle P. Wolfe, baritone David Wray, piano

The Leinster Opera Studio founded in 1992 by Dr. Vero1 Dunne and David Wray and is b, in Dublin. The Studio was set u create the opportunity for yo singers to train at an advanced l in Ireland preparing for career opera, oratorio and recital. Studio gave its first pu performance in Galway in April : and has since performed at National Concert Hall and on : The Arts Fest television. programme features scenes fl operas by Mozart and Handel. LUNCHTIME CONCERTS GRA AIDED BY IMRO Foras Eireann/C.F. Shaw Trust Music for Galway is grant-aidec The Arts Council and Gal, Corporation All concerts sponsored @> Bank of lrel.

Innocent Erendira

meatre

Teatro Buendia The Bish Theatre Tent, Mon. 18-Thurs. July 21, 8.30 p.m.

Innocent Erendira retraces the journey of a young w oman prostituted by her grandmother to pay for the debt caused by a fire which accidently burns down their home. The play is an innovative and imaginative adaptation of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's tale of corruption and abuse. Performed on a virtually empty stage - a reflection of the company's limited facilities and lack of resource s at home - and with everyday objects taking on symbolic roles, we are transported into a strange and w onderful S panish Caribbean world where Erendira's ordeals are expressed through striking visual images, agile physical movement, live music and popular Cuban songs. It is a mysterious and deeply moving production which exp lores the themes of nostalgia, the conflicts between love and power, youth rebellion and survival. "A memorable and frequently beautiful production that transposes the disturbing nature of Marquez's story to stage" The Independent. This production is performed in Spanish with a comprehensive synopsis provided.

Cirque GOSH Festival Big Top, Fisheries Field. Wed. July 13 - Mon. July 18, 8.00 p.m. Sun July 17th 6.00 p.m.

Cirque GOSH was founded in Berlin in 1990 just as the Berlin Wall was coming down. That year also marked the demise of traditional circus with its sad animals, glitzy costumes and tired jokes. Cirque GOSH, turned traditional circus on its head and put the wide-eyed thrills back in! The juggler is an inspired fid get with a waving mane, the guitarist a wanton troublemaker with a dirty laugh, while the Sax player is

a wicked brunette in a short dress. Physical juggling and acrobatic skills are matched with verbal juggling and acerbic wit. Directed by Canadian Michel Dallaire and featuring a five piece rock band, GOSH have been widely acclaimed by critics across Europe and have been dubbed "The new Circus of the nineties". Cirque GOSH combine rock'n'roll with off the wall humour in a two hour piece of inspired lunacy in which boredom is totally excluded and no pause for breath allowed!

the world. This is a performance t celebrates sheer physicality and br force, and for those who did not to see it last year it is an occasion to be missed. "Preposterous, wonderful stuff." The Boston Globe. 'Their sobriety and assurance doe: convince me that these are ratio people" The Village Voice. � nu,thctt Sponsored by I,,&;

�.�!�'! ....... � ...1D

Buile Shuibhne/Sween)

Macnas Salthill Lawn Tennis Club, Tue. July 19- Sun. July 24. 9.00 p.

Second Hand Dance Company

Salthill Tennis Club. Thurs. July 14- Sat. July 16, 8.30p.m.

Second Hand Dance Company, one of the big hits of the 1993 Galway Arts Festival, return this year with another imaginative show which stretches the parametres of dance in a display of movement that is more common to circus acrobats than modem dancers. They call themselves the Second Hand Dance Company because their props and costumes are constructed from materials found in dumpsters, alleys and other strange places! It also reflects their philosophical stance against wasting the earth's resources. The New York based trio of Paul Gordon, Andy Horowitz and Greg 0' Brien have in just a few years, established a first-class reputation in the dance world, earning standing ovations, enthusiastic critical acclaim and return engagements throughout

Macnas' production of the Irish « Tain, brought together a strik combination of Music, movem and spectacular action. These , also be the essential ingredient. Macnas' new indoor theatre sl Buile Shuibhne/ Sweeny which · receive its premiere at this ye, festival. The tale of Buile Shuib was first written down in 1671 by of the best of the later Irish serf Daniel O'Duigenan of Co. Sligo. central character is Suibhne/Swei King of Dal Araidhe (present Antrim) who falls foul of a le abbott, Ronan Finn, and proposed site of a Mona settlement. Sweeny assaults Ro and destroys his precious psalter, abbot retaliates by cursing Sween madness and eternal flight. tragedy unfolds until Sweeny is s by the spear of a cow herd durit petty dispute. Only in death doe� spirit of Sweeny soar into flight. This style of visual presenta I depends greatly on live music, c images and energetic playinJ convey a narrative which is tot without words. The production is designed by 0 Mac Carthaigh with music by J Dunne and is directed Choreographed by Rod Goodall. Sponsored by

THEATRE

Galway Arts Festival Souvenir Programme '94

Bitch! Dyke? Faghag?Whore? Penny Arcade Setanta, Salthill. Fri. 15 July -Sat. 23 July at 8.30 p.m. No performance on Sun. July 17th. or Fri. July 22

American performer Penny Arcade offers a whirlwind interrogation of sexuality in America through a series of monologues, based partly on her own life, partly on people she has known and partly on social observation. The show swings from comedy to barely contained anger as she introduces her characters including a Manhattan brothel madam, a prostitiute and a bisexual faghag. Bitch! Dyke! Faghag!Whore! mixes scorching sexuality and politics and confronts the AIDS epidimic in a personal and poignant way as Penny Arcade tells of friends who have died of AIDS. Male and female go go dancers back Penny Arcade and work the audience during her performance, a feature of the show which provoked an angry reaction from American feminists. Bitch! Dyke! Faghag! Whore! attacks conservatives and liberals alike, and takes no prisoners. "Don't be misled by the screaming obscene title. Penny Arcade's Bitch! Dyke! Faghag! Whore! is the most warm-blooded, genuine piece of performance art you're likely to see." Calgary Herald.

Come Good Rain

George Seremba Galway Arts Centre, Nuns Island Wed. 20 July - Fri. 22 July, 9.00p.m.

George Seremba's one man show is

the deeply moving story of how he lived through two horrific dictatorships, and how he survived his own "execution". Seremba, a Ugandan bom playwright and actor, tells his story in a relaxed, economical style using only percussion and simple sound effects. His voice is like an instrument, at one stage portraying the light and happy thoughts of an innocent child, then the terrifying mind of a brutal dictator and of his mindless soldiers. The show opens with Seremba's childhood memories; family, school, dances. But the sense of doom increases, with the takeover of Uganda by Milton Obote, the infamous Idi Amin, and then by the return of Obote. In 1980, as a young teacher living in Nairobi, Seremba went home for Christmas. While there, he was abducted, tortured, shot by a firing squad and left for dead in the jungle. But he survived, the only prisoner ever taken to Namave Forest to do so. While in the forest facing death Seremba promised God if he survived he would tell his story. This is it. "A poetic return to the storytelling roots of theatre..... as refreshing as rain", The Gazette, Montreal "Performed with a distinct lack of bitterness the play emerges as.a celebration of life and the human spirit. The journey is powerfully refreshing and uplifting." Los Angeles Independent

audience to a range of characters from Salvador Dali to Louis Armstrong al ongside a snake charmer, clowns, poets and a wonderful cello player. Although Bertran himself is openly seen on stage, the delicate humanity of his characters and subtle use of lighting means that you are quite unaware of his presence, until suddenly a giant hand appears to move a tiny table-doth from a table or mop a fevered brow. A show for adults as well as children.

Jordi Berb;an The Bish Theatre Tent, Nuns Island Thurs. July 14 & Fri. July 15 at 7.00 p.m. and Sat. July 16 at 3.00 p.m.

This one-man comedy show was an instant cult success last year at the Edinburgh Festival from where it transferred directly for a four week season at The Arts Theatre in London's West End. So successful was the show that it was br:-ought back for an open ended run after Christmas. It is still enjoying good business there but will take a break in July to perform two shows at Galway Arts Festival. The show attracted phenomenal reviews both for James Holmes' hilarious and touching performance and the writing debut of Steve Dinsdale (nominated by The Financial Times, The Daily Telegrap� and The Sunday Times as 'Most

An tologia

Jordi Bertran is Catalonia's best known puppeteer and marionettista, in a region where puppetry has been developed to a very high level and is regarded as an art f orm of great importance. He started his career busking at drinking fountains in the parks of Barcelona, learning his craft at the feet of the great Pepe Otal, who ran the mythical underground organisation, Atelier de Marionette, that used puppets for social comment against Franco in the 70s. This enchanting show introduces the

Sponsored by THE IRISH TIMES

Silverlands

Druid Theatre Company Druid Theatre, Nightly from Thur. July 14excludingSunday, 8 p.m. "And I dream at night of the country songs we used to sing. Gentle motl1e rs dying peacefully and going straight to heaven. Crippled American soldiers s hooting their lovers. Wet nights in Seapoint and Silverlands singing about West Texas Murders. Rubyfor God's sake, turn around." It is twenty years since a car crash ruined Tara's singing career. Now the sons and daughters of the people she sang to are dancing to a different tune. One night she decides to go and see these young people dance, but the night doe sn't turn out quite as anyone expects. Antoine O'Flatharta's Silverlands features Marie Mullen as Tara, in her first Druid performance for four years. There is an exciting cast of young actors and music is provided by well known Galway band "Love Biscuit". The show is directed by Garry Hynes, in a welcome return to Druid.

Heading For Dakota

The McArdles An Taibhdhearc, Middle Street, Fri. July 15 -Sun. July 17. 8.00 p.m.

Why did St. Patrick bother his arse coming to Ireland? This is but one of many deep subjects that bothers Wellies in the McArdle's new play Heading for Dakota. The play tells of two grizzled batchelors who live in a cottage under renovation and in considerable disarray somewhere in Monaghan. One is an inventor of sorts, a man in pursuit of knowledge for whom the only limits are those of imagination.

The other is a frustrated karaoke singer who yearns for the spotlight. Both are retired from the creamery, now run by a Japanese corporation and spend their days talking and fighting w hile trying to come to terms with the modern world. The two actors establish a wonderful rapport with the audience. Their characters, while wildly exaggerated for comic effect, are still rooted in a recognisable reality, and the laughter they extract from us is blended with empathy. It was written by John McArdle and directed by his brother Tommy.

An Beal Bocht

Project Arts Centre, Galway Arts Centre, Nun's Island. Mon. July 18 - Tue. July 19. 7.30 p.m.

This play, based on the famous satirical novel by Fiann O' Brien (Myles Na nGopaleen) stars Donall Farmer and Macdara O' Fatharta. Set in the Gaeltacht world of Chorea D orcha and narrated by the hero Bonaparte O' Cunasa, An Beal Boehl (The Poor Mouth) is one of the most savagely funny books in Irish literature. Our hero, who is a "child among the ashes" falls into all kinds of disasters as he attempts to be the essential cute Irishman. The Beal Bocht of the title refers to people who pretend to be poorer than they are to avail of every government grant going. An Beal Bocht pulls no punches. The ambigious attitude of governments and civil servants towards the Irish language and Gaeltachts, is just one of the areas of Irish life that O' Brien highlights in a hilarious way. This is a work of fantasy, stretching the imagination, and guaranteeing delight. An Beal Becht is performed in Irish.

Dancing At Lughnasa

Punchbag Theatre Company The Punchbag Theatre Thur. July 14-Sun. July 24. 8.00 i: Punchbag present Brian Fri moving and atmospheric cla which was first staged by the Al Theatre to much critical acclaim. is its first professional outing s the Abbey's production. Dancir Lughnasa, like many of Friel's pla set in the fictitious townlan, Ballybeg in Donegal. It tells the s of the five Mundy sisters who sh, house and many memories. T lives are seen through the eyes o narrator, a son of one of the sis He is an adult, but his recollect are those of the boy he once was. The sisters are preparing to celel the pagan festival of Lughnasa, throughout the play, referenc1 pagan rituals are constant. The sense of excitement is height, by the constant visits of Gerry E and by Uncle Jack's return fron missions. Directed by Katy Hayes of Dul: Glasshouse Theatre Company cast will feature some of Punchl best known actors, as wel introducing some new faces h Galway stage.

Riveron

Punchbag Theatre Company, The Punchbag Theatre Tue. July 19 - Sat. July 23- 3.00 p.1 This 90 minute show, written performed by Michael Sugai Devine, is a compilation of wri from over 600 years. Amon1 illustrious authors who featur Chaucer, Shakespeare, Joyce American poet Richard Brautiga Riverun is Joycean wild-eyed wave M ontana Mountain Musical. It is funny, irreverent, and ranges from childlike simJ to the near mad beating dow doors of conformity. This minutes which depicts life, liberty an pursuit of happiness.

THEATRE

Galway Arts Festival Souvenir Programme '94

A Midsummer Night's Dream Galway Youth Theatre. Galway Arts Centre, Nun's Island. Wed. July 13 - Sat. July 16. 8.45 p.m.

Galway Youth Theatre's Midsummer Night's Dream sees Shakespeare's play moved from a forest near Athens to the Burren in Co Clare. There are many unusual touches i n David Grant's production of this play such as a female King Oberon, and a punk Queen Titiana who towers over her husband. Grant mixes magic and mayhem with ease in this tale of confused human love, and interfering fairies. Tight editing allows it to move at a rattling pace, involving the audience along the way. This is the first Shakespeare production from Galway Youth Theatre which was established in 1991 and since then has secured a firm niche in the city's arts scene.

turning and twisting its way to a happy ending. Clockwork Theatre Company were .founded in Galway in February 1993 and have already performed five lunchtime shows. This is their first late night play.

The Bear

Clockwork Theatre Company The King's Head Wed. July 13 - Sat. July 23 (except Sunday). 3.30 p.m.

Chekov's vaudeville one act comedy is one of two plays which Galway's Clockwork Theatre C_ompany are staging for the Galway Arts Festival. It tells the story of a widow, Popova, whose husband has died seven months previously. Since his death she has not left her house. One day, a stranger, Smirnov, arrives. He is a landowner, who tells Popova that her husband had owed him money. Now he needs this money urgently. An argument occurs between the two, in the course of which he challenges her to a duel. The outcome of this is unexpected.

only as "the poor misfortuna te little bastard", or "Yer Man" for short. It is a murder thriller, a comic satire on a vil lage police force, a bizarre examination of eternity, and a tender, erotic story about the unrequited love affair betw een one man and his bicycle, involving a trip through Hell. London based company Ridiculusmus have remained faithful to Fiann O'Briens eccentric novel, and are on their third visit to Galway with their hugely popular production of this play. "A rollicking ride through abusrdity."- The Irish Times. "A vibrant slice of inspired luncay... Fiann O'Brien would have been proud." - What's On.

The Complete Irish Play

Revelations Theatre Company King's Head Wed. July 13 - Sun. July 24. 5.00 p.m.

The Constant Couple Clockwork Theatre Company Punchbag Theatre, Mon. July 18 - Sat. July 23. 11.00 p.m.

In this comed y from Restoration dramatist George Farquhar, the couples are most definitely not constant . The main plot centres around a woman who in her youth was annoyed by a man. Now she is intent on getting her own back. She has affairs with seven different men and plays them off against each other. One of her methods of doing this is by getting some of them to dress and behave as women, and pairing them off with the available men to hilarious effect. Like all Restoration comedies this is a tale of pretence, delusion and confusion,

This most unusual and quirky show is an hilarious romp through 2 8 famous Irish plays at b reakneck speed . With a cast of three, The Complete Irish Play is just 35 minutes long - so sit tight! Directed by Brendan Mu rray it includes classics from Wilde, Synge, and O'Casey, travelling up to the present day, with writers like Beckett and Friel. They plays are fitted togethether like a jigsaw, to provide a plot of sorts, and the mix is guaranteed to make you laugh.

The Third Policeman

Riciculusmus Theatre Company Galway Arts Centre, Nun's Island Tue. July 19 - Sat. July 23. 11.30 p.m.

Based on the wonderful novel by Fiann O'Brien, this play revolves around a nameless figure known

Siamsa na Gaillimhe Mon-Thur / Luan-Deardaoin An Taibhdhearc, 8.45 Friday / Aoine Aras na Gaeilge, Collaiste na hOllscoile

Following sell-out performances at international festivals in Finland, Holland, Belgium, Lithuania and France in 1993/94, Siamsa na Gaillimhe take the stage again at the Galway Arts Festival. With seven years of concert performance ex perience together, this cast is skilled in the art of capturing the mood of traditional Ireland. Based at An T aibhdhearc, the National Theatre for the Irish Language, a cast of twenty play harp, accordian, concertina, fiddles, flutes, piano, bodhran and mandolin in a dynamic show of traditional talent.

Galway Arts Festival Souvenir Programme

Judy Murphy talks to

Paraic Breathnach about this year's shows from

t's late June. It's a sunny summer's day and up in the Fisheries Fiel d, members of Macnas Community Theatre group are busy. There's a major spring clean going on. Machinery and objects are being moved from all angles, and taken out of the workshop. Isn't a funny time for a spring clean though? "Not at all", says Macnas Chairman Paraic Breathnach. "It's a lovely day, and it's ideal for this kind of job," he explains as he sits by the river, and prepares to chat about the Macnas contribution to this year's Galway Arts Festival. With two shows and the Festival parade, a clean space is needed because there is loads to do. This year's parade, The Tribes, is loosely based on the story of Galway city's 14 famous Norman tribes, but like most Macnas parades, it will encompass a whole lot more. The logistical difficulties of the parade occupy Paraic as he sits by the river. Should there be a grand finale or should it be a parade which just keeps going round and round? At the end of the conversation he is still undecided. Later, he thinks that the main action should be at the beginning. One section will concern "The Ferocious O'Flahertys" he reveals. These were an ancient Irish family who were thrown outside Galway city walls by the Norman tribes who settled here in the 12th century. The O'Flahertys were not to be lightly dismis sed, and attacked the

newcomers ceaselessly. So in one parade scene, set in the late 1700s, representatives of Galway's 14 tribes will be sitting at a huge banquet, inside the walled city. They will be waited upon, hand and foot, and there may even be a bit of mild hanky panky going on, Paraic says. However, in an unexpected move, the O'Flahertys lay siege to the party. The sides will be separated by a wall, there will be loads of garrisons and cannons, and in true Macnas stlye, plenty of action and noise. Sweeny is the group's indoor theatre show, and it follows on their very successful production of Tain, which premiered at GAF two years ago. "Sweeny" is based on an Irish legend about a chieftian who insults an abbot in early Christian Ireland and is condemned to spend his life flying madly about the country. But in true Macnas style, this adaptation looks deeper to find more. "What we are trying to do is study the collective psyche. The abbot was trespassing o n Sweeny's land, therefore Sweeny shouldn't have been condemned to madness for being rude. Our approach to the story is to use it to examine the madness that is all around us." The play is just fantastic, according to Paraic. "One of our strengths is that Macnas is still the same company that did

Tain. The only change is a differe1 drummer. It's a major achievement maintain the same people for th length of time, and this show therefore another step in the sty Macnas took with Tain. People a: two years older, they have mm experience under their belt, and th, have more to say. Sweeny is vei much an ensemble effort." Although following a patter: Sweeny is different to anything th, have done before, according I Paraic. "There is an extraordinary set, dm by Owen MacCartaigh, Charmiil Goodall is doing beautiful costumt: and the music, which is brilliant, being written by John Dunne. Re Goodall choreographs and directs." The children's show, The Three ar A Half Wonders of the Worl1 featuring Little John Nee is ah coming along well, Paraic says. "The children's show is always gre crack and something we enjoy doin We have been very busy this yea Macnas' attention to detail, ar, doing things properly has won the: recognition at home and abroad.Th( supported U2 in their 1993 Europe, tour, they provided the cavalcade Dublin for the first ever May Di celebrations, and at present there a talks of travels to far flung places perform the Macnas Magic. But fir there's the Galway Arts Festival.

Film Readh

Etllan Hawke and James Le Gros in #Floundering" and Gary Oldman as Jack and Lena Olin as Mona (right) in "Romeo Is Bleeding". Sarah Alexandra in # #Seavicw Niglrts (above

fter five fabulous years the Galway Film Fleadh promises one of its most exciting line-ups to date. Running from July 13th - 18th, over 100 film s will be screened in the Claddagh Palace Cinema, including International First Features, New Releases, Irish and European Retrospectives, Documentaries and Animations. One of the hallmarks of the Galway Film Fleadh is the number of directors, producers, distributors and actors who attend each year; and for this we must thank Aer Lingus, main sponsor of the 1994 Fleadh.

As a tribute to the many advances nations have made in their struggle for freedom during this decade - and the ongoing struggles - the 1994 Film Fleadh Theme is 'Freedom and Resistance'. This theme is evident through films like the controversial Phoolan Devi - Rebellion of a Female Bandit; the German documentary

Profession - Neo-Nazi, the Turkish film Yol, Karl Francis's Boy Soldier, the Argentinian Secret Wedding, the Indian Adversary and the South African trilogy In a Time of Violence.

An outstanding number of New Irish Features will be shown at this year's Fleadh, including the Gala Premiere of the Irish film Moondance, starring Ruaidhri Conroy (Into The West) and Marianne Faithful and featuring a brilliant Van Morrison soundtrack. Other new Irish features to be screened are; Joe Comerford's High Boot Benny with Alan Devlin and Frances Tomelty; Maurice O'Callaghan's Broken Harvest and Paddy Breathnach's Ail sa with Brendan Coyle.

This year's Irish Retrospective is of the films supported by the First Irish Film B oard. It will include Neil Jordan's Angel, Cathal Black's Pigs , Robert Wynne-Simmons' Outcasts, Eat Tlie Peach, Pat Murphy's Anne

Devlin and Clash of the Ash..

Roddy Doyle's controversial hard-hitting TV drama Family been cut to aÂˇ two hour feature will Galway audiences can expec see cast members, such as S McGinley and G er Ryan at screening.

The First Features section inch Criminal - a moody black & w from Directors David Jacobsen Wolfgang Held and Bl ue B Permanent, a hauntingly beau first from 74 year old Scots Din Margaret Tait. The hilarious Sea Kniglits sees James Bolam saÂˇ Britain from further decay and 1 out for Galway's own 'Sawdoc singing on Floundering.

Highlights of the Internati Relea ses include Sirens star British heartthrob Hugh Grant ( Weddings and a Funeral), Fitzgerald (Hear My Song) and

Y01UR. COMMU�NlT'Y PAPE·RAND A FRIEND OF THE FESTIVAL

Do You Need A Computer To Do?... Accounts or Wordprocessing Data bases or Spreadsheets Scanning or Desktop Publishing CAD or Multimedia That is..... • Easy to Use • Not Expensive • Large Software Library • Very Popular Then you need .....

AN APPLE MACINTOSH COMPUTER

GalMac Computers Ltd

AUTHORISED

Liosbaun Estate, Tuam Road, Galway. Tel. No. (091) 55222 Fax: (091) 55491 COMPUTER DEALER

Tune in each day, July 12 - July 25, to Galway Bay Arts Festival FM for the latest news and information on the 1993 Galway Arts Festival, • Festival Newsdesk each day after the news at 10 am, 1pm and 6pm.

Listc11 out for tile Galway Bay FM great ticket giveaway competitions.

An annual highlight of the Galway Arts Festival is the Macnas Parade. For one glorious afternoon each Ji the streets are filled with myth, magic and mayhem. Incorporating hundreds of volunteers and an enormc cast of musicians and performers, this is one event not to be missed! Sunday July 17th., 3 p.111. Photo: The S

STREET THEATRE

Galway Arts Festival Souvenir Programme

Les Pietons get to grips with a canine threat on the sidewalk!

Corps de Balai International

Les Pietons Fri. July 22-Sat. July 23. 12.30 p.m. More street theatre comes from this Paris based group, who have toured worldwide with this show. Les Pietons are 14 demented street sweepers, who are armed with brooms and all the sundry utensils necessary for cleaning. They parade the streets in a style which will give viewers a whole new perspective on street sweepers. This is what Roman legions would have been like had they been trained in the anarchic disciplines of street war. Through their broomstick ballet, these poets of the gutter display all the grotesque fantasys of their demonic captain and choreographer. Watch the choreographer who drives them remorsly onwards with their frenetic cleaning. This is street sweeping as it has never been done in Galway before. After seeing this, it is possible that the Corporation will relegate their trucks to the tips forever. The European Street Programme is financially assisted by

THE COMMISSION OF mE EUROPEAN UNION KALEIDOSCOPE SCHEME.

Flying Pig

Winners of the Galway Arts Festival Street Theatre Bursary. To be seen regularly throughout the Festival. Galway- hosts yet another star studded event at this year's Galway Arts Festival. Rumour has it, that studios have Hollywood commissioned Flying Pig to make the 1994 version of The Quiet Man....sshh! Twentieth Century Hog insiders, say that talent scouts will be on the look out for local Galway people to feature as extras in the remake of the classic John Wayne film.

The Three And a Half Wonders Macnas The Bish Theatre Tent, Nuns Island Tues. 19th July- Sat 23rd July, 3 p.m. In the tradition of both Circus Story and E.P. Moran and the Fir Bolgs, MACNAS presents The Three and a Half Wonders featuring Little· John, one of Ireland's most popular entertainers, as Moses Moran. Songs, love stories, spectacular effects and slapstick comedy are all squeezed into one amazing hour which takes the audience on a whirlwind tour of the world and recounts Moses Moran's many adventures. Let him introduce you to some of the strange and wonderful people he has met along the way including Cleopatra's Mummy's Mummy, Paddy Joe Hendrix and a couple of mean hombres from the dusty plains of Mexico, among others. The Four Seasons

Phil Spellacy Galway Arts Centre, Nuns Island Sat 16th, Mon 18th, lla.m. Circus Spellacy Phil Spellacy Arts Centre, Nuns Island Mon 19th July, lla.m. Phil Spellacy is an accomplished shadow puppet artist, w h o in The Four Seasons, uses a blend of both puppets and humans to vividly and imaginatively accompany Antoine Vivaldi's classic concertos.

His second production, Circus Spellacy is a unique circus show, with terrific musical accompaniment. It is ideally suited for very young children, as well as for children with special needs.

through the gentle wisdom of grandfather's stories, the boy slo, comes to terms with his fears, , begins to see his·future as a gr adventure. This SO minute show is children between three and six YE old.

Dr Palfi's Super Surgery Show Palfi The Bish Theatre Tent, Nuns Island Sat 16th, Sun 17th, Mon 18th July, 12 noon Dr Palfi returns to Galway to reveal the healing power of laughology. This wonderful form of medicine uses technology such as the Gag Ray Machine and the High Intensity Exhilator. Palfi also performs the Total Tickletomy, with massive injections of the magical Sea Rum, known as Laughomysin. He will need plenty of assistance from volunteers, and those brave people who put themselves forward will be guided by Dr Palfi's gentle, nutty bedside manner. Dr. Palfi's Super Surgery Show is SO minutes long and aimed at children over three.

Alice in Wonderland Galloglass Theatre The Bish Theatre Tent, Nuns Islam Tue 19th, Wed 20th, Thur 21st J\ 12 noon Galloglass, from Tipperary, are • of Ireland most popular tour theatre companies. In this she which is one hour and 15 minu and for children of five and o, Galloglass give their audienc unique chance to meet with m, characters from the Alice legend. the well known characters, the Wl Rabbit, The Mad Hatter, the C Duchess and the Furious Queer Hearts are all brought to life with aid of masks, puppets, colour costumes and musical interludes. Sponsor Coca Cola and Peter I Funworld,Wellpark

Grandpa's Quiet Day Black Box Puppet Theatre Galway Arts Centre Nuns Island Mon 18th, Tue 19th, Wed 20th July , 2p.m. Grandpa's Quiet Day, written and performed by Don and Ivy Smart, looks at the fears of a small boy, who is about to begin school. But

Tony Maude Galway Arts Centre, Nuns Island Fri 22nd -Sat 23rdJuly, 11 a.m. Tony Maude is a musician and F who promises a unique blend songs and poetry in his 50 min show, which is geared at childrer seven years and over . Enjo� morning of songs, poetry, riddles ,

CHILDRENS EVENTS

Galway Arts Festival Souvenir Programme '94

cats with this man who has an uncanny ability t o see inside the mind of a child, to capture a mood, and to create an irresistible mix of fantasy and fun.

Antologia Jordi Bertran The Bish Theatre Tent, Nuns Island, Thur 14, Fri 15th July , 7.00 p.m., Sat 16th July, 3p.m. Catalonian puppeteer Jordi Bertran, who is staging several puppet shows for the main Festival programme, is staging one performance especially for Babor6. He uses marionettes of all shapes and sizes for Antologia, and they will sing, dance and even blow bubbles. This show can also be seen within the main festival programme. Antologia offers children and their parents a rare opportunity to see truly extraordinary theatre, loved at festivals throughout Europe. An Elephant Takes Too Much Room Theatro Buendia, The Bish Theatre Tent, Nuns Island, Fri 22nd July, Sat 23rd July, 12 noon Teatro Buendia bring their highly visual children's show all the way from Havana, Cuba. Using mime, masks, fifteen oversized beach balls, live music, and stunning physical movement, this group transform the stage into a surreal and silent world of fantasy. This is a show which children of all ages will find unforgettable.

Sponsored by

!I and

PeterPan Funworld, Wellpark

Palft with a satisfied patient in ,.Dr. Palft's Super Surgery Show" (above). The cheeky skeleton from /ordi Bertran's ,.Antologia" (top left).

WORKSHOPS

PLEASE NOTE : All workshops are free of charge and work on a first come first served basis. Limited numbers.

CLAY AND PLASTER SCULPTURE: Orla Sheedy, Fiona O'Dwyer SHADOW PUPPETS: Phil Spellacy CLOWNING: Palfi FACE PAINTING: Kďż˝y Mulcahy DRAWING AND PAINTING: Orla Sheedy, Kieran Carey DRAMA: G.Y.T

MUSICAL ART: Orla Sheedy, Margaret O'Sullivan STAINED GLASS: Aria Stained Glass HISTORY WALK: Marie Boran PAPER SCULPTURE, COLLAGE AND ASSEMBLAGE: Martin O'Ceidigh DANCE: Vivian Jeffs

L iterq_ry Even ts

Martin Bell An Taibhdhearc. Fri. July 22. 6.00 p.m. Martin Bell is one of the Western war known World's best cor respondents. Bell, who was educated at King's College, Cambridge has worked with the BBC for 32 years. According to himself he is best described as "an old war correspondent". He has reported on the wars in Vietnam, Angola, Biafra, Rhodesia, as well as the Arab-Israeli wars, the Gulf War and the civil wars in Nicaragua and El Salvador. He has also covered events in Belfast. Most recently Bell has been covering the three wars of ex Yugoslavia, since they began in June 1991.

John Pilger Galway Arts Centre, Nuns Island Sat. July 23. 7.30 p.m. John Pilger was born and educated in Sydney, Australia. He has been a war correspondent, film-maker and play wright. Based in London, he as written from many countries and twice won British journalism's highest award, that of Journalist of the Year, for his work on Vietnam and Cambodia. Throughout his distinguished career as a journalist and film-maker, John Pilger has looked behind the "official" version of events to report the real stories of our time. Challenging distortions, questioning secrecy and countering prejudic es, his is a voice of rare scepticism and honesty. For the Galway Arts Festival john Pilger will read from Distant Voices.

Tom Murphy Galway Arts Centre, Nun's Island Sat. July 16. 6.00 p.m. For almost 30 years the plays of Tuam man, Tom Murphy have been among the most important works written in Ireland. On tl1e Outside, Conversations 011 a Homecoming and Bail egangaire are among his challenging plays which have been performed by professional and amateur theatre companies both here and abroad. Many of his works such asWhist/e in tl1e Dark have aroused anger and controversy, but nobody can doubt that Murphy has reflected the social and politicial changes taking place in Ireland in a unique, often painful way. Now, his first novel The Seduction of Morality has just been published by Little, Brown and Company. It started out as an attempt to write a series of short stories about different women, but when he started the third story it took off and became a novel. It tells the story of Vera, who after a working as a hooker in New York, comes home to a west of Ireland town. Without meaning it to happen, Vera finds herself confronting the forces that affected her childhood. The effects of sexual represssion, with its resulting violence, has been a constant theme in Murphy's plays, and appears again in this novel.

Pat Tierney, Galway Arts Centre, Nun's Island. Wed. July 20. 6.00 p.m. Galway born writer, Pat Tiern1 came to the fore last year with t1 publication of his searingly hone and couragous bookThe Moon on A Back. This, his own story, is one rejection by his family, of beir confined to institutions and sufferh a childhood of fear and abus Tierney eventually turned to drugs, move which led to him becomil infected by the AIDS virus. As I was dealing with the fact that h immune system was heir irreparably destroyed by the vin he stopped running from his past a1 turned to confront it by writing abo it. The events in this story are trag but Pat Tierney's powerful spi1 shines through, in spite of h betrayal by society. "A remarkable book with fres vigorous, dire ct and scald it honesty" - Senator David Norris "I could not put this book down Brendan Kennelley "An honest and couragous story should be told" - Dermot Bolger

John O' Donoghue An Taibhdhearc, Middle St. Thurs. July 21. 6.00 p.m. Galway based priest Jol O'Donoghue published his fiI collection of poetry, Echoes of Memc earlier this year with Salmon Poel Company. His poetry explores his relationsh with the past, and with his ov place, in a way which looks to t future. A love of nature shin through his work, with the images water, wind, light and ear recurring through the poems. Jo: O'Donoghue was born in 1956 Caherbeanna near Blackhead, in t Burren. In 1990 he was awardec PhD from the University Trubungen. His book on HegE Philosophy, Personals Vermittlu was published in Germany last ye John O'Donoghue is current working on a book on Meisl Eckhart. Sponsored by

CROSďż˝ SINCE

1B4

LITERARY EVENTS

John Pilger's Lifelong Search for Truth "Truth often gets you into trouble. But if you are not in trouble you haven't found out what is happening," says Australian journalist John Pilger, who is reading at this year's Galway Arts Festival. John Pilger is in a good position to make such a comment. He has been described as a dissident journalist, and the description fits. Pilger has covered stories from everywhere from Vietnam to the Philipines to Pol Pot's Cambodia. He has probed and challenged consensus views and tackled issues, such as the treatment of Aborigines in Australia and the genocide in East Timor, fearlesslessy. "If you are popular with the authorities you have lost credibility," says this man, who has never suffered that fate. But his colleagues have recognised the value of his reportage, and he has twice won the prestigious British Journalist of the Year award for his work in Vietnam and Cambodia. John Pilger was born in Australia to parents of Irish, German and English extraction. In his book Heroes, he describes how his Irish great great grandfather, and great great grandmother were sent as convicts to

Australia. Francis McCarthy from Roscomonn was deported to Australia for his political views while Mary Palmer was deported from London for reasons not known. Theirs is a story of dreadful hardship. Pilger doesn't know if his background had a bearing his decision to become a journalist, and the type of journalist he is. "Who can tell? The genes of both parents are there and I am certainly proud of my origins, if you can be proud of something that stretches back that far. My mother was a great rebel," he adds. As a boy Pilger was always interested in the world and in newspapers. He was also restless and wanted to travel. Journalism offered him these opportunities. "TV wasn't as important in those days, so I was weaned through newspapers." he explains. He does not feel as strongly as his colleague, journalist Robert Fisk, about how television changes news. "There are technical differences with television, and it is easier to get a story as a reporter with a notebook, but the camera can record irrefutable evidence that a notebook can't. The problem with television is that people can become too interested in the creation of images rather than telling the story. But a good cameraman, reporter and director who are willing to find out the truth can be effective. "The tyranny of pictures is one of

television's problems, especially in news coverage. That is why documentaries are so important because they combine words, pictures, analysis, history and immediacy." Pilger has always been on the side of the underdog. "I have always had a strong sense of injustice. It's my natural place to be on the side of the underdog, and it should be the natural state of journalists. There have been a lot of myths about journalism, but really the media is an extension of the state. In totalitarian regimes it is a crude dimension, so you know what you are dealing with. In democracies there are myths about it being free, but it is not. It is made up of monopolies, and I'm not just talking about Murdoch. You also have the BBC, which is a finely tuned propoganda machine for the establishment. Its coverage of Northern Ireland is an example of that. When you are in England, reading about or listening to news about Northern Ireland, you don't hear certain things which you hear in other places." He is a serious journalist but does not feel that newspapers should be totally serious. "Trivia is fine, and there is always a place for funny and ironic stories. Newspapers should't be grey and boring but the place for these stories is not the front page." Interviewed by Judy Murphy.

Visual Arts ,,

., ...,..

.......

...

.....,,,.,,.It<,.,...._ .,,,

Paddy Graham's plain nude drawings are on show at the University College Galway Gallery through the Festival

John Behan Retrospective

Galway Arts Centre, 47 Dominick Street, Wed. July 13-Sat. July 23 11.00 a.m.- 6.00 pm.

A major retrospective exhibition from Dublin born artist and sculptor, John Behan RHA. This artist, who now lives in Galway, has a long and distinguished career and is a major figure in Irish art . He is known for his fine representations of bulls, birds in flight, fish, and his figures from the Tain Bo Cuailigne. These will feature in the retrospective, alongside more recent work reflecting life in Behan's adopted city. A full colour catalogue which will accompany the show will , contain an assessment of Behan's work by Irish Times Chief Critic, Brian Fallon. This is the third in a series of retrospective exhibitions of the work of Western based artists

org anised by the Galway Arts Festival. The aim of these retrospectives is to celeb rate and acknowledge the work of artists who played a vital r ole in the develop ment of late 20th century Irish art.

Paddy Graham

UCG Art Gallery Wed. July 13- Sat. July 23 11.00 a.m.- 6.00 pm

Plain Nude Drawings: Studies For The Blackbird Suite, is the title of this exclusive one person show by the internationally renowned Irish artist, Paddy Gr aham. This exhibition, specially commissioned by Galway Arts Festival will consist of 20 new works. This will be Paddy Graham's first solo show in Ireland in almost a decade as he has concentrated exclusively on exhib iting ab r oad since 1986. In that time he has built up a considerable reputation among

American critics, artists and buying public. At the Los Ang International Contemporary Art I 1986, his work p rovoked enormous r esponse and , distinguished by many critics as outstanding exhibition of the F Subsequent shows at J ack Rutt Fine Arts, Los Angeles have met, a similar response.

Beate Oehmann

St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church Wed. July 13-Sat. July 23 11.00 a.m.- 6.00 pm

The elegant stone walls of Nicholas' Col legiate Church ' p rovide the background for exceptionally colourful and vib exhibition of flags and banners f German artist Beate Oehmann.

Galway Arts Festival Souvenir Programme '94

Donal Dineen

Time stood Still Wed. July 13- Sat. July 23 11.00 a.m.- 6.00 pm Westend Hostel Annexe, Dominick Street. Time Stood Still features 44 black and white photographs and is the second part of an autobiographical trilogy. The first part, This Storm Is An Angel having premiered at the Galway Arts Festival 1993.

"Being still is an elusive goal. Future time and its promise acts like a magnet and tempts us away from the things we should treasure in the here and now. But the future, in turn, accumulates like a weight upon the past. Sometimes, by returning, by running backwards the weight upon the past is lessened and the essence of forgotten days springs back like grass that has been crushed. Time Stood Still begins and ends running in both directions, backwards and forwards, away from and to, the things, people and places we love. The middle part of the work observes the in between moments when we come face to face with these flashes of truth." Donal Dineen.

Sean Cotter

Bridge Mills Gallery Wed. July 13- Sat. July 23 11.00 a.m.- 6.00 pm This show, from an emerging Galway artist reflects the continuin g commitment of Galway Arts Festival to promote the work of young and emerging Irish artsits. Sean Cotter, who graduated from the National College of Art and Design in 1991 fits these criteria. A new and exciting talent, Sean Cotter is known for his work with Macnas Community Theatre Group. His work has appeared in several group shows including the 1991 NCAD Degree Show in the Dublin's RHA Gallery, Counterparts Exhibition, University of Ulster 1991, and in the 1993 Pan Celtic Festival group show at Galway's Comstore Gallery.

"'B"'an�o II�

Visual Arts are sponsored by: �

�

Heroes and Heroines

The Kenny Gallery, Middle Street. Wed. July 13- Sat July 23 excluding Sunday, July 17th. 9.00 a.m.- 6.00 pm This group show, in stone, bronze, wood, ceramic, paint, textiles and graphics, has as its theme heroes and heroines. Some 70 artists from Ireland, Scotland France, Germany, the U.S. and Canada are participating in the exhibition at Kennys. Their work will reflect the artists' own heroes and heroines, and will encompass the worlds of mythology, sport, music, films, politics and more. It is an exhibition which promises to be full of fun, variety and surprises.

Wood, Earth, Paint

The Grainstore Art Gallery Wed. July 13- Sat. July 23 excluding Sunday, July 17th. 9.30 a.m.- 6.00 pm Here you will find work in three different media by three artists; wooden bowls and tables by Eric 'f'earce, ceramics and an installation by Cormac Boydell and paintings by Sarah Walker. This exhibition reflects their p assion for their environment. Eric Pearce is one of Ireland's best known designer/furniture makers, and his work here, including sensous carved wood vessels and tables, displays great simplicity and strength. Cormac Boydell's ceramics celebrate Ireland's landscapes, and his background in geology is obvious in the surfaces of his vessels and the colours of his glazes. Sarah Walker's paintings are based on the landscapes of Mexico, Guatamala and Belize where she recently travelled for six months. Light and colour, evocative of the stunning coloµr of Central America flash through her dark canvasses.

Artspace Studios

49 Dominick Street Wed. July 13- Sat. 24 July 23 excluding Sunday, July 17th. 11.00 a.m.- 6.00 pm Artspace is Galway's only artists' collective. Founded in 1986 it consists of nine artists. Their open days, held in conjunction with the Arts Festival

VISUAL ARIS 37

offers people an opportunity to meet the artists, learn about the group, and of course see their work. Artists participating this year's Open Days are Marja Van Kampen, Noelle Donnellan, Catherine O'Leanachan, David Hill, Ger Sweeney, Ruth McHugh, Kathleen Furey, and guest arists Micheal O'Nuadhain and Tony Magner.

Images

Kinlay House, Eyre Square, Fri. July 15- Sun. July 23 excluding Sunday, July 17th. 11.00 a.m.- 6.00 pm "Images" is an exhibition from four women artists living in Galway. Dolores Lyne is a portrait artist and landscape painter whose recent work celebrates the River Clare and surrounding landscape of North Galway. Leonie King's work forms an abstract interpretation of spirituality, responding to the colour and pattern of the West of Ireland. Jay Murphy lives and works in Connemara, and her paintings are a striking response to the atmosphere and landscape of this visually rich place. Siobhan Percy is a printmaker known for her figurative works and imagery.

Solas Atlantis

Padraic Conway and Martin Byrne Beaches around Galway Watch out for this collection of environmental geoglyphic scculptures at various beaches around the city. The designs which the artists use to represent each planet are taken from rock engravings carved by our Neolitihic ancestors over 5,000 years ago. They are thought to symbolise the movement and energies of the heavenly bodies.

Aengus McMahon

The Comstore, Middle St. Throughout the Festival, Aengus plans to exhibit a couple of choice photographs taken from the roll of film shot on the previous day's wanderings through the Festival sites. This " mirror" on the festivities will change each day and can be seen in the merchandising office.

1hntl1lun••Lrntnh,.atrp••� lt.alkrmtkur Thn�tk1n'I Op;kal. Plntl111Puk. florkl.a

Outside they darken.

Introducing Transitions· Comfort Lenses.

Here's a new plastic prescription eyeglass lens that automatically darkens outdoors and lightens indoors. We call them Transitions· Comfort Lenses and they're unlike any ordinary lens. Indoors, the neutral tint softens harsh overhead lighting. Outdoors, the warm-grey tint makes your eyes comfortable. Transitions Comfort Lenses also block JOO (¼} of the sun's harmful UV rays and resist scratches. Visit your eyecar� / ' professional today and ask for Transitions Comfort Lenses.

Wishing Continued Success to the Festival from another local Entertainer

G.AL"W.AY

1tansitions·

�

COMFORT LENSES

95.s 96.s

is proud to continue supporting Arts Awareness through Galway Arts Festival and Macnas FAS provided development opportunities for over 7,000 people in County Mayo and County Galway in 1993 Telephone: FAS Employment Services, Galway (091) 67165 FAS Training Centre, Galway (091) 751260 FAS Employment Services, Tuam (093) 28066

r�,r r,.v

ForasAiseannaSaothair

TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT AUTHORITY

Funding Bodies

,,,_ "\\. Grant-aided by the Arts Council

Galway Corporation

KALEIDOSCOPE

Galway County Council, British Council, French Embassy, C.F. Shaw Trust, University College Galway, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Portugal 600 Go & See, German Embassy, A.F.A.A., I.M.R.O. I