Mermaid Arts Centre September - December 2019 Brochure by Mermaid Arts Centre

2019 SEPT OCT NOV DEC

SEATING PLAN

BOOKING YOUR TICKETS

We have no booking fees - at all, so book how you wish!

- PHONE: 01 272 4030 | ONLINE: www.mermaidartscentre.ie - IN PERSON: Pop in to us at box office during our opening hours. - Please note, once purchased, tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded. - Our wheelchair accessible spaces are located in the front row on the ground floor. Please note, it is not possible to book specific wheelchair seating online, please contact the box office to arrange.

Tel: 01-2724030 WWW.MERMAIDARTSCENTRE.IE

WELCOME

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. William James Philosopher & Psychologist 1842 - 1910 I’ve been reading William James on the Pursuit of Happiness. I am not someone who spends time in the self-help section of book shops, nor do I regularly read the work of philosophers, but I’m intrigued by James’s ‘Philosophical School of Pragmatism’. This school of thought holds that the meaning of an idea is to be sought in its practical effects, truth is tested by practical consequences and the function of thought is to guide action. I’ve therefore been thinking about thinking. I’ve been trying to keep myself aware of my thoughts and actions. I’ve been thinking about how I live, my habits and coping mechanisms. “We are spinning our own fates, good or evil,” again William James. I’m fascinated about how hopelessly time poor we all are while at the same time our day to day lives can be repetitive and tedious. To survive we develop habits and put in place systems to cope.“The patterns of our lives reveal us. Our habits measure us,” Mary Oliver (Poet). I’ve found myself focusing on my habits and considering within them what is routine and what is ritual. Habit can hide or highlight their differences. We set in place routines to try to get ourselves though the chaos of life. We put in place a pattern of action to contain and control. Whereas our rituals impart magic and richness into the mundane. The structure of routine comforts us, the specialness of ritual restores and invigorates us. According to James, happiness is created as a result of our being active participants in life. His four ingredients for happiness are; ‘choice’ the world is full of possibilities we choose to be positive or negative, ‘risk-taking’ we resign ourselves to circumstances, or act on possibilities, ‘as-if thinking’ freewill can’t exist without us acting ‘as if’ we are free and finally happiness often comes after a ‘crisis of meaning’ periods of darkness leads to renewal and growth. I believe happiness is created, not discovered. It isn’t always easy. I think the secret is to understand that love and happiness are a practice rather than a state. We Mermaids hope this season we have enough diversity of work to help you practice happiness. Niamh O’Donnell (Artistic Director) and the Mermaid Team 3

MERMAID SPACE

Mermaid Space and Made in Mermaid make up our Residency Programme and Artists Commissions. Both initiatives help us ensure we're not just a centre of presentation but a place of creation. It confirms our commitment to supporting the work of artists to research, make and produce new works. This season we are very pleased to announce the development and realisation of new large-scale initiatives as well as new artists to our portfolio; Jody O’Neill is a writer / theatre maker living in Wicklow. Over the coming eight months starting in September 2019, Mermaid, in partnership with The Abbey Theatre (Dublin) and the Everyman (Cork) are supporting Jody and her collaborating artists in the making of a new work called What I (Don’t) Know About Autism. This piece is written for a cast of both autistic and allistic (nonautistic) performers. It’s a piece that celebrates autism whilst dramatising the negative impact common misconceptions and popular therapies can (and have) had on members of the autistic community. This piece supports non-pathology-based views of autism, advocating support and acceptance over ‘cures’. Using a nonlinear, disjointed structure, the play will invite a neurotypical audience to experience some of the issues of living in a world not designed to meet your needs. For audience members with autism, the play should be a validation and affirmation of autistic identity. The creative team are: Jody O’Neill (Writer), Donal Gallagher (Director), Melissa Nolan (Producer), Cindy Cummings (Choreographer), Medb Lambert (Set/Costume), Eoin Winning (Lighting), Carl Kennedy (Sound) and Lisa Mahony (Production Manager). The cast includes: Shay Croke, Peter Daly, Paula McGlinchey, Jayson Murray, Jody O’Neill and Eleanor Walsh. One of the key reasons why Mermaid is involved is not just because we greatly admire Jody and her practice, but because the piece is to be made with an ethical process. The making differs from the typical four-week rehearsal period. To accommodate the actors with autism the group are working shorter days over two periods of development allowing for rest, breaks and time in between work for line-learning and assimilation of choreography and blocking. AsIAm Youth Leadership Team are consulting on the writing and making of the work and KCAT are also offering ongoing advice and support around creating inclusive theatre. 4 4

MERMAID SPACE

Mermaid are also delighted to be working with Dylan Tighe for the first time. I have for many years greatly admired Dylan as an artist for his practice, perspective and outlook. His work is alternate to the mainstream, it is social minded, political and provocative. He is working with The Abbey Theatre on a co-production of ‘Pasolini's Salò Redubbed’ to be presented as part of Dublin Theatre Festival from 26th September to 5th October on the Peacock Stage. In advance of its premiere at the Abbey, and as part of its process of creation, Dylan and his collaborators are working on the making of the piece for 4 days in Mermaid. This production is a live redubbing of Pasolini’s controversial 1975 film ‘Salò, or the 120 days of Sodom’, daringly transposed to Ireland. Dylan was supported in 2018 by Trinity Creative Challenge and has been working on a radical adaptation of this film, exploring themes of abuses of power, structural violence, masculinity and class supremacy. On September 12th at 8.00pm we will have an informal presentation of material from the team’s rehearsals-inresidence. Dylan (Director and writer) and his collaborators; Actors Lauren Larkin, Niamh McCann, Gina Moxley, Thomas Collins, Will O’Connell and Daniel Reardon with artists Aedín Cosgrove (Set & LX Design), José Miguel Jiménez (Video Design), Kevin Gleeson (Post-Production Sound Design), Alexis Nealon (Sound Engineer and Additional Design), Ellen Kirk (Costume Supervisor and Stylist), Grace Morgan (Assistant Director), Anthony Hanley (Production Manager), Baz O’Donovan (Stage Manager) and Producer Gwen Van Spijk.

MERMAID SPACE

The final work in development is by artist Kate Heffernan. Kate and Mermaid are working in partnership with Project Arts Centre on a new work. GUEST HOST STRANGER GHOST is about three 30-somethings who temporarily rent a house owned by an elderly woman now living her last months in a nursing home. The house is in limbo, abandoned in a sudden health crisis, never again to be occupied by its owner, but held until her death as dictated by the State, rented out by her children, to be sold posthumously as a condition of the Nursing Home Support Fair Deal Scheme. The lives of its three current occupants go on, surrounded by the stuff of this woman’s entire life. A story about people living in someone else’s home, Guest Host Stranger Ghost is conceived as a play for the stages of other people’s plays, designed to be performed pre-show on the sets of other people's productions – in a form that reflects the transience and heightens the time limit of its characters’ living situation. In this development period, Kate and her collaborating artists will be exploring the limits and possibilities of an experimental light-on-its-feet performance that can happen on wildly different stage designs, exploring the intricacies and prospects of being let in by the kindness of a host production. In a marriage of form and content, our ‘guest’ performance has been let in by its ‘host’, but we can't really touch anything, we'll have to leave it as we found it, and we must be out as soon as we’re told. What begins in working light must end in the pre-show bulb check, sound level test and LX cue-to-cue by the host operator as they prepare for their own performance, and the trajectory and movement is marked and defined by these definites. Our hosts for this development and showing are the incredible local theatre group Square One. This piece would not be possible without their openness, kindness and professionalism of their Director, designers and all of their actors and participants. Do come to the showing of GUEST HOST STRANGER GHOST at 6.00pm on Friday 8th November (see page 37), and quite frankly I strongly encourage you to stay and see the wonderous production by Square One, as they never disappoint! (see page 37).

MERMAID SPACE

Nyree Yergainharsian is a performance maker. The driving force behind her artistic practice is the pursuit of truth inside the space of a theatre. She is working in development and is exploring the genre of documentary theatre. Nyree, with some support from Mermaid Arts Centre has been awarded an Arts Council Artists Bursary. Ultimately what this does is it buys her time and gives her the chance to explore the elements, codes and ethics of documentary practices. It will help her to consider what she might be able to bring to the cannon of this style of work. Nyree is going to spend time researching the history of documentary theatre, both in Ireland and abroad. She will be mentored by Brokentalkers Theatre Company. She wants to investigate how best to represent real life events in a theatre space and then she’ll apply her learnings in a practical setting in the development of a new piece, working title ‘Lobsters; an investigation in finding love, then and now’. Nyree plans to start by interviewing 30 people in their thirties to find out how they feel about relationships, finding love and what they wish was different. She also wants to interview 30 people over the age of 65 to know what finding love once was, what it has become, and where things went so wrong (and so right). More than simply collating funny stories that the dating world of 2019 certainly offers, Nyree aims to reveal the unrevealed, the taboo, the real fears and hopes of her generation. She’s intrigued by the subverted subjects within the topic - for example those who choose to stay alone, Incels; a collective of people who feel rejected by society and romance - and the Irish public health crisis that is contemporary loneliness. She will look closely at the cyclical nature of finding a partner, the strategies people have to do this, and why people often choose to stay single.

MERMAID SPACE

YOUTH FOCUS This season (and onwards!) Mermaid aims to focus our attention on programmes of activities where we provide opportunities for young people to develop their creative potential. SPOKENWORD PROJECT Artist Colm Keegan (Writer/Playwright/Poet) is running a series of workshops with young people from Little Bray Youth Project. Working with musicians from Music Generation, Colm and the young people will write, create and perform their own spoken word performance poetry in their own community centre and on Mermaid’s stage. (In partnership with Wicklow County Council Arts Office and CREATIVE Ireland). FIGHTING WORDS - YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS PROGRAMME Mermaid is supporting FIGHTING WORDS Wicklow in hosting a series of workshops for 8 young aspiring playwrights.They will have professional artists visit and advise and in 2020 they will present their work with professional Directors and Cast members. YOUTH FILM MAKING PROJECT Mermaid is partnering with Wicklow County Council Arts Office funding from CREATIVE Ireland on hosting and co-ordinating a series of filmmaking workshops with three schools. The workshops will include; Scriptwriting, Acting for Screen, Directing, Camera Operation and Post-production. Each school group will plan, make and edit their own films which will be screened in Mermaid in January 2020.

FIGHTING WORDS WICKLOW

YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS’ CALL OUT

INFORMATION Fighting Words at Mermaid Arts Centre invites people aged 14-18 to apply for one of ten spaces in the Young Playwrights’ Programme which will culminate in a Staged Reading of their work at Mermaid Arts centre by professional actors and directors in 2020. Young Playwrights’ Programme will run from September 2019 to April 2020 including; 10 script development workshops 11-3pm on Saturdays starting 14 September (one to two each month). Opportunities to attend selected performances for FREE at Mermaid (additional to workshops). A Staged Reading of your work in Mermaid Arts Centre in 2020 (April date tbc). APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS To apply send through the following information: 1. Name: / Age: / Contact Email: / Contact Mobile: 2. Provide a cover letter answering: Why would you like to be a part of the Young Playwrights’ Programme? (300-500words) 3. Confirm you will be available for a minimum of 9 of the 10 workshops (14 & 28 September, 19 & 26 October, 23 November, 14 December, 11 January 2020, 8 & 22 February, 21st March) with the rehearsals compulsory with actors/directors on 8 & 9 April. 4. Submit a sample of your creative writing (for example a scene from a play; an extract from a story) this can be up to 10 pages long. DATES & FURTHER DETAILS! Applications Open 15 July and loses 2 September 2019. Successful applicants to be notified on 6 September. Applications welcome in both Irish and/or English. Please complete and return the application to: fiction@fightingwords. ie with the subject line “Wicklow Young Playwrights 2019”. Or Post to Fighting Words, c/o Mermaid Arts Centre, The Civic Plaza, Main Street, Bray, Co Wicklow.

GALLERY

JOANNE BOYLE

Opens THURSDAY 12 September | 6pm | Free Admission Exhibition runs FRIDAY 13 Sept â&#x2C6;&#x2019; SATURDAY 26 Oct | 10am â&#x2C6;&#x2019; 6pm Joanne Boyle is a visual artist working and living in Ireland. She holds a BA in Visual Arts Practice, IADT, 2009. She is a founding member of Outpost Studios in Wicklow, 2014 and is a member of theTellurometer Collective, 2012. She has exhibited widely throughout Ireland in both group and solo exhibitions. She is participating in an ongoing research based performance project, SOMA. Her work is an attempt to articulate the non-everyday occurrence alongside the everyday. It is used to observe the gap, the untouched moment ,inside and outside of the boundaries of material.These abstractions become paintings, drawings, movements, sometimes of everyday objects or moments, sometimes not.Paint, movement and line are a constant companion within this process. These elements are returned to again and again in the isolation of the studio practice. Repetition becomes performative.

GALLERY

PAUL TIMONEY

Opens THURSDAY 7 November | 6pm | Free Admission Exhibition runs FRIDAY 8 Nov − SATURDAY 23 Nov | 10am − 6pm We are delighted to welcome back Paul Timoney as our Storyteller in Residence for this year’s Yarn Storytelling Festival Bray. Paul will be facilitating a series of workshops with pupils from North Wicklow Educate Together Secondary School to help them create a story-themed show. Particular emphasis will be on working with pupils with more complex needs and harnessing their storytelling creativity. The participants are being given the opportunity to express their stories through a variety of different media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, writing, video, and even live performance. The shape of the exhibition at the start of the series of workshops is a blank canvas as Paul will let the children take the lead during the autumn workshop series – what we do know is that it will be colourful, it will be inspiring and it will be completely amazing!

GALLERY

DORJE DE BURGH – DREAM THE END

Opens THURSDAY 5 December | 6pm | Free Admission Exhibition runs FRIDAY 6 Dec − SATURDAY 1 Feb 2020 | 10am − 6pm Dream the End is an ongoing experiment born of obsession and loss - an attempt to reconstitute a lost city, a vanished civilisation, a family disappeared. It is a map of oedipal desire and its potential for violent and destructive excess; a cross generational collaboration, an analysis of the flow of intra-subjective trauma, a matrixial duet. It is a search for presence within a lost ocean of immaterial absence, a grasping at how little we know, can ever know, and now never will. How little photographs can say. It is a re-presencing of the dead and a re-telling of grief. It is also a telling of my mother’s story, the story of our relationship, its intensity, and its end.

CINEMA AT A GLANCE

Our cinema programme brings you the best in international cultural film as well as some blockbusters and classics too. Thanks to Megan Robinson for selecting this seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s programme.

UNCLASSIFIED FILMS

Some of the films we screen here at Mermaid have not been certified by the Irish Censorship Office. In order to screen these films we have labelled then as UC. A nominal fee has been integrated into the ticket price for all UNCLASSIFIED films and they are open to anyone over 18 to attend. All of our foreign language films have English subtitles.

SEPTEMBER FILM NIGHTS | 8pm

OCTOBER FILM NIGHTS | 8pm

NOVEMBER FILM NIGHTS | 8pm

DECEMBER FILM NIGHTS | 8pm (unless stated otherwise)

CINEMA - FIRST MONDAYS

Photo Credit: Ren Canga

We are kicking off our First Monday series again, where short films by local and emerging filmmakers are screened on the first Monday of each month. MONDAY 2 September | 8pm TEETH | Duration: 2 minutes 8 seconds Teeth is a last laugh tale of two old friends, their teeth and a series of events that leaves them lost for words. Directed by: Ruairí O'Brien & John Kennedy Produced by: Noreen Donohoe Starring: Niall O'Brien & Niall Toibín (Filmed at Glendalough 2007) MONDAY 7 October | 8pm PAPER PLANES | Duration: 10 minutes Sean goes on a journey and is forced to reflect on his relationship with his only brother. Directed by: Megan Robinson & Oisin McFarland Smith Produced by: Gerry Cannon Starring: Sean Farrell & Sam Ferrie (Filmed in Kilmacanogue 2019) MONDAY 4 November | 8pm IN PLAIN SIGHT | Duration: 10 minutes Suffering in silence can sometimes be deafening. Directed by: Adam O’Byrne & Oisin Nolan Written by Adam O’Byrne Starring: Oisin Nolan, Stuart Connolly, Rebecca Flynn & Annie Gribbin (Filmed in Kilcoole 2016) MONDAY 2 December | 8pm WILD THING | Duration: 10 minutes A boy encounters a drifter he believes to be a shapeshifting fox. Written & Directed by: Fiona Aryan Director of Photography: Arthur Janowsky Starring: Philip Arneill, Hana Hall, John McNally, Anahita Aryan, Afshín Aryan (Filmed in Bray & Shankill 2019) 14

FILM

ALL IS TRUE

(CERT: 12A)

MONDAY 2 September | 8pm €8/6.50 | Duration: 101mins | Language: English Returning to Stratford Upon Avon in 1613 after a fire destroys his beloved Globe Theatre, a devastated William Shakespeare struggles to mend broken relationships with his neglected wife and daughters, and finally come to terms with the death of his son.Having seen his family intermittently during his time working in London they are surprised but not pleased by his return. As Shakespeare is forced to examine his own failings as husband and father the simmering family tensions gradually surface. Featuring a powerhouse cast which includes Judi Dench and Ian McKellen, Kenneth Branagh’s All is true is a warm family drama that reflects on the cost of a life dedicated to art. Our First Monday’s short Teeth will be screened prior to the film.

THEATRE

WORK-IN-DEVELOPMENT WITH Q&A AFTERWARDS:

WHAT I (DON’T) KNOW ABOUT AUTISM FRIDAY 6 September | 8pm €5

I wrote What I (Don’t) Know About Autism in response to my experiences as a mother of a young autistic child and my own subsequent diagnosis. I hope it will bring a greater understanding about autism to all who see it, and be part of a long-overdue shift towards celebration and acceptance of autistic identity. Building on a week-long development at the Abbey Theatre, we will use our time at Mermaid to develop the play further. - Jody O'Neill. Funded by the Arts Council, Wicklow County Council, Mermaid Arts Centre, the Abbey Theatre & Everyman Theatre with additional support from Rough Magic, Fishamble New Play Company, KCAT and AsIAm and Triple A Wicklow. Image credit: Brianna Hurley 15

TALK

ARTISTS CONNECT

SATURDAY 7 September | 11am €5 | Capacity is limited - booking essential | Duration: 2 hrs Wicklow County Council Arts Office invites artists living in Wicklow to join them in a meeting with a difference. Working as an artist in rural and smaller urban towns is difficult. No matter your energy or positivity it’s too easy to feel disconnected and isolated. The Arts Office aims to bring a range of artists, from a variety of disciplines, interests and backgrounds together to talk, present and discuss their work and themes of interest. This facilitated meeting will allow for presentations, an open mic, artist speed dating with the aim of helping to generate a more interconnected creative community in Wicklow.

TALK

COLIN STAFFORD-JOHNSON

MY WILD ATLANTIC WAY SATURDAY 7 September | 8pm €18/16

Join wildlife film maker Colin Stafford-Johnson on a journey of discovery along the western seaboard of Ireland. Colin has been walking, exploring and filming wildlife along Ireland's wild Atlantic coast over the last 15 years. He recently presented the BBC series 'Wild Ireland - Edge of the World' - that featured some of his highlights. But there are many more! Come and hear tales of adventure and misadventure from years spent tracking down some of Ireland's most elusive creatures - all accompanied by stunning visuals that will make you wish you were there. 16

FILM

FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY (CERT: 15A) MONDAY 9 September | 8pm €8/6.50 | Duration: 101mins | Language: English

1960s rural Ireland, Frances is a young Traveller who idolises Muhammad Ali. Her life is turned upside down when her father Michael, recently released from prison, decides to take his family on the road again. Amidst this upheaval, Frances must fight against patriarchal traditional values whilst also protecting her family. Warm and celebratory, Carmel Winters has crafted a crowd-pleasing delight. Winner, Audience Award, Best Film, Cork International Film Festival 2018

THEATRE

IN DEVELOPMENT

PASOLINI’S SALÒ REDUBBED BY DYLAN TIGHE

FRIDAY 13 September | 8pm €5 | Please Note: Contains graphic scenes of a violent & sexual nature. In advance of its premiere at the Abbey Theatre, director Dylan Tighe and his collaborators informally present material from rehearsals-inresidence at Mermaid. Pasolini's Salò Redubbed is a live redubbing of Pasolini's controversial 1975 film 'Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom', daringly transposed to Ireland. A Dylan Tighe and Abbey Theatre co-production. Funded through an Arts Council Project Award. Development funded by Trinity Creative Challenge 2018. Supported by the Italian Cultural Institute and Mermaid Arts Centre. Publicity image courtesy of Park Circus/MGM Studios. 17

FILM

IRISH FILM INSTITUTE PRESENTS

DOWN WICKLOW WAY, A CINE-CONCERT SATURDAY 14 September | 8pm €12/10

This programme of Wicklow films from the IFI Irish Film Archive includes The Legend of the Lough (1937); Rush Hour (1949) a scout-filled caper filmed in Bray; and Wicklow stories from Gael Linn’s newsreels (1956- 64). The programme highlight is Some Say Chance (1934), an enigmatic drama set in a girls boarding school in Wicklow. Directed by Wicklow resident Michael Farrell and presenting Maureen O’Hara in her screen debut, this recently unearthed silent treasure will be accompanied by another Wicklow resident, leading improvisational pianist, Paul G. Smyth. The IFI is supported by the Arts Council.

WORKSHOP

YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS PROGRAMME

FIGHTING WORDS

Starting SATURDAY 14 September A series of guided workshops & a rehearsed reading | See website for details Autumn 2019 sees the start of an exciting new initiative between the Mermaid and the creative writing centre Fighting Words. For the first time in Wicklow, this unique collaboration is offering eight local writers, under the age of 18, the opportunity to create their own short plays during a series of free guided workshops.The process, which includes mentorship and visits from theatre makers, will culminate in the young writers’ plays being directed and performed by professionals in a once-off rehearsed reading on the stage of the Mermaid.

FILM

BALLOON

(CERT: UC)

MONDAY 16 September | 8pm €8.50/7 | Duration: 125mins | Language: German, English East Germany 1979. Electrician Peter Strelzyk and his bricklayer friend Günther Wetzel are tired of the strict Cold War regime under which they live, and want to provide a better future for their families. They come up with a daring plan – to secretly build a homemade hot-air balloon, which will carry them and their families over the border to freedom. They need favourable weather conditions to ensure that the balloon can transport them safely. But the Stasi has learned of a possible escape attempt and is starting to close in. The families may not be able to wait any longer to pull off their dangerous plan. Based on true events, Michael Herbig’s thrilling drama recreates this incredible story. 19

FILM FESTIVAL

WICKLOW FILM FESTIVAL 2019 THURSDAY 19 - SATURDAY 21 September

Welcome to Wicklow Film Festival at Mermaid Arts Centre. Originally founded by Wicklow artist Brigid O’Brien, this year’s festival is a collaboration between Mermaid Arts Centre and Noel MacAoidh, Head of Film Department at BIFE (Bray Institute of Further Education). The theme for this year’s festival is Turning Points. Turning Points is an attempt to explore the transformative effect of cinema. Six film makers will each present a film that affected their lives and that helped fashion their careers. “Film is frivolous, serious, absurd and combines every emotion that we can experience. A good movie can transport us to a fantastical world or wake us into action in this one. We all have a favorite film or story that reminds us of a place or a person we love”. Noel McAoidh This festival is about those films, the life changing, career changing films that helped shape the journeys of Noel Mac Aoidh, Janna Kemperman, Kate Mc Coullough, Sal Stapleton, Michael Donnelly and Karla Healion.

FILM FESTIVAL

BLADE RUNNER: THE FINAL CUT (CERT: 15A) THURSDAY 19 September | 8pm €8 | Duration: 117mins | Language: English

Harrison Ford excels as the world-weary detective Rick Deckard hunting down intelligent but mutinous, murderous replicants, escaped from off-world colonies. Graced with extraordinary sets, ground-breaking special effects, stunning costumes and photography, Blade Runner brilliantly evokes a dystopian vision of the future. Ten years after its original release, the Director’s Cut of Blade Runner was released in cinemas in 1992. Given complete artistic freedom to make The Final Cut in 2007, the 25th anniversary of the film’s opening, Ridley Scott created this final, definitive version, fully restored from the original negative. Q&A with Noel McAoidh after the screening.

FILM FESTIVAL

MARS ATTACKS (CERT: 12)

FRIDAY 20 September | 5.30pm Free Culture Night Screening | Duration: 106mins | Language: English A fleet of Martian spacecraft surrounds the world's major cities and all of humanity waits to see if the extraterrestrial visitors have, as they claim, "come in peace." U.S. President James Dale (Jack Nicholson) receives assurance from science professor Donald Kessler (Pierce Brosnan) that the Martians' mission is a friendly one. But when a peaceful exchange ends in the total annihilation of the U.S. Congress, military men call for a full-scale nuclear retaliation. Q&A with Sal Stapleton after the screening. 21

FILM FESTIVAL

PERSEPOLIS (CERT: 12A)

FRIDAY 20 September | 8.30pm â&#x201A;Ź8 | Duration: 96mins | Language: French, English, Persian, German Co-director Marjane Satrapi based the film on her four-volume series of graphic novels, grounded largely in her own experience growing up in 1970s and 80s Iran. Marjane, a rebellious, independent child is brought up by her intelligent, loving parents, with frequent visits from her wise, feisty grandmother. The family is hopeful that the end of the Shah's reign will bring new freedoms and prosperity, but the religious crack down and war with neighbouring Iraq show they couldn't be more wrong. Marjane continues to be outspoken, and much humour comes from her attempts to question the dogma of the new regime, until her parents feel that she would be safer if they send her overseas. Q&A with Karla Healion after the screening.

FILM FESTIVAL

HOOP DREAMS (CERT: 12)

SATURDAY 21 September | 12pm â&#x201A;Ź6 | Duration: 176mins | Language: English First exhibited at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the audience award for best documentary, Kartemquin's Hoop Dreams is the remarkable true story of two American dreamers; an intimate reflection of contemporary American inner-city culture, following two ordinary young men on the courts of the game they love. Plucked from the streets and given the opportunity to attend a suburban prep school and play for a legendary high school coach, William Gates and Arthur Agee discover that their dreams of NBA glory become obscured amid the intense pressures of academics, family life, economics and athletic competitiveness. Q&A with Kate McCoullough after the screening.

FILM FESTIVAL

ALMOST FAMOUS (CERT: 15)

SATURDAY 21 September | 4pm â&#x201A;Ź6 | Duration: 118mins | Language: English Set in 1973, it chronicles the funny and often poignant coming of age of 15-year-old William whose love of music lands him an assignment from Rolling Stone magazine to interview the up-and-coming band Stillwater, William embarks on an eye-opening journey with the band's tour, despite the objections of his protective mother. With the help of the lovely "band aid" Penny Lane, William finds himself drawn into the band's inner circle. But as he becomes less an observer and more a participant in the band's dynamics, the fledgling reporter loses the objectivity to tell his story honestly, and learns a life changing lesson about the importance of family-the ones we inherit, and the ones we create. Q&A with Michael Donnolly after the screening.

FILM FESTIVAL

THE FALL (CERT: 15)

SATURDAY 21 September | 7pm â&#x201A;Ź8 | Duration: 117mins | Language: English, Romanian & Latin In a hospital on the outskirts of 1920s Los Angeles, an injured stuntman begins to tell a fellow patient, a little girl with a broken arm, a fantastic story of five mythical heroes. Thanks to his fractured state of mind and her vivid imagination, the line between fiction and reality blurs as the tale advances. Q&A with Janna Kemperman after the screening.

FILM

BIRDS OF PASSAGE (CERT: 15A)

MONDAY 23 September | 8pm €8/6.50 | Duration: 125mins | Language: Spanish, Wayuu & English

From the Directors of Embrace of the Serpent comes this tale of the Colombian marijuana trade of the 1960/70s and a resulting tribal war, which through greed and corruption caused the downfall of a respected indiginous Wayuu family.When Raphayet persues Zaida for his bride, he cannot afford the dowry. A chance deal with some Peace Corp volunteers to supply them with marijuana, helps him secure the marriage but starts the family on a tragic path. As tradition, superstition, crime and distrust meet head on, family loyalties crumble resulting in dishonour and bloodshed.Visually stunning and based on actual events, Birds of Passage is a meandering, breathtaking family drama.

FILM

GLORIA BELL (CERT: 15A)

THURSDAY 26 September | 8pm €8/6.50 | Duration: 102mins | Language: English Gloria (Julianne Moore), a free spirited divorcée, spends her days selling insurance and her nights dancing to disco anthems at an LA singles club for the over fifties. Struggling to retain her cheerful outlook in a world where women her age are considered invisable, she finds the potential for romance when she meets newly-divorced Arnold, and embarks on the complicated, joyful journey of new found love. As Gloria navigates the challenges life sends her way she maintains her feisty spirit and an egerness to connect. Academy Award winning director Sebastian Lelio (A Fantastic Woman, Disobedience) deliverers a faithful, elevated remake of his 2013 critical hit Gloria.

THEATRE/ COMEDY

DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN FRIDAY 27 September | 8pm €25

Have you ever wondered why men can't multitask, or why women can’t change a tyre? Wonder no more! Professional stand-up comedian, and one of the busiest Irish headline acts on the circuit, Tom O’Mahony brings his energetic and brilliantly funny persona to the stage to take the audience on a unique comedic journey that brings the house down with every performance. Using psychology, sociology and plain old observational comedy, Defending the Caveman highlights the battle of the sexes – the stereotypical and yet, undisputedly true differences between men and women.

CHILDREN'S DANCE

TINY DANCER:

A DJ SET FOR KIDS WITH DONAL DINEEN

SATURDAY 28 September | 3pm €7 Adults | €5 Kids | Age Suitability: 0 - 9 years | Duration: 45mins Let’s dance. It’s time for the kids to throw some shapes and bust out their best moves as DJ Donal Dineen hits the decks for a special musical rollercoaster ride. Expect dance tunes from every era and every corner of the globe. So if you’re ready to get into the groove, lace up your dancing shoes and grab those glowsticks. Kids just wanna have fun! Commissioned and premiered by TRACKS: an initiative of Cork Midsummer Festival, Dublin Fringe Festival and Baboró International Arts Festival for Children. (Under 1s go free, but if you’re dancing you need a ticket!) 25

LITERATURE/ TALK

BRAY LITERARY FESTIVAL PRESENTS:

JOHN BOYNE AND JESS KIDD SATURDAY 28 September | 8pm €12/10

Join award-winning authors John Boyne (The Heart’s Invisible Furies; The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas; My Brother’s Name is Jessica) and Jess Kidd (The Hoarder; Things in Jars; Himself) for an intriguing evening of readings and conversation with authors Tanya Farrelly and Edward O’Dwyer. For further details of this and other events of the Bray Literary Festival 2019, see www.brayliteraryfestival.com.

FILM

A SEASON IN FRANCE (CERT: UC)

MONDAY 30 September | 8pm €8.50/7 | Duration: 100mins | Language: French

Abbas, his two children and his brother having fled war-torn Central Africa, now live in Paris. When their request for political asylum is turned down, both men, still traumatized by loss, start to run out of options. But there is hope in the form of generous, warm-hearted florist Carole. A stark, gentle film about people looking for a home.

MUSIC

MUSIC NETWORK PRESENTS:

BANGERS AND CRASH PERCUSSION GROUP FRIDAY 4 October | 8pm â&#x201A;Ź16/14 | Friends Selected Show

The Bangers and Crash Percussion Group is an Irish collective of percussionists that regularly collaborate and work together to perform in a wide range of projects. Three young and energetic virtuosos cook up a menu of new music (a pity Beethoven never wrote for marimba) which will tickle tastebuds and defy expectations. Their appetite for exploring rhythmic influences from around the world - Flamenco, Afro-Cuban, Javanese gamelan - is healthy, hearty and irrepressible. Audiences can expect a programme of 20th century works by composers including Philip Glass, Steve Reich and Thierry De Mey, as well as a new Music Network Commission from Alex Petcu. (Please note: no sausages will be harmed in the making of this programme). Having a physics background can be a useful thing indeed if you are ace percussionist Alex Petcu. So the required sounds don't exist on conventional instruments? No problem, you just invent and build what you need. And that's what audiences can expect when he and fellow percussion adventurers Emma King and Brian Dungan take to the road with their kit bag of the usual suspects of the drum world, along with a fascinating array of metal, wood and string.

FILM

EXHIBITION ON SCREEN:

VAN GOGH & JAPAN (CERT: UC)

SATURDAY 5 October | 8pm €8.50/7 | Duration: 85mins | Language: English One cannot understand Van Gogh without understanding how Japanese art arrived in Paris in the middle of the 19th century and the profound impact it had on artists like Monet, Degas and, above all, Van Gogh. Visiting the new galleries of Japanese art in Paris and then creating his own image of Japan – through in-depth research, print collecting and detailed discussions with other artists – Van Gogh’s encounter with Japanese artworks gave his work a new and exciting direction. In this little known story of Van Gogh’s art we see just how important his study of Japan was. The film travels not only to France and the Netherlands but also to Japan to further explore the remarkable heritage that so affected Van Gogh and made him the artist we know of today.

FILM

WE ARE ANIMALS (CERT: UC)

MONDAY 7 October | 8pm €8.50/7 | Duration: 94mins | Language: English

Based on Justin Torres’s semi-autobiographical novel, this debut feature follows Jonah, the youngest of three brothers as he awakens to a world beyond that of his volatile family. As the boys grow up, unshielded from their parents intense and often violent love, the family struggle financially and Jonah begins to break away from his brothers and to find himself. Our First Monday’s short film Paper Planes will be screened prior to the film. 28

CHILDREN'S THEATRE

BIGKIDLITTLEKID

TUES 8 | 12pm & 3.30pm + WED 9 | 10am & 11.30pm + THURS 10 October | 12pm & 3.30pm | €10/8 | Age Suitability: 3–6 yrs | Duration: 30 mins BigKidLittleKid is a quirky, playful, energetic and engaging look at being on your own and being with someone else; and how size can really matter… Are you a big kid or a little kid? Or both? Created by Anna Newell, described by The Guardian as “a hero of children’s theatre” with music by David Goodall, BigKidLittleKid promises to delight and enchant its audiences with its unique take on the complicated world of sibling rivalry. 2019 full production funded by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon in partnership with The Civic, Tallaght; the Mermaid, Bray and Draiocht, Blanchardstown. (Initial R&D funding by the Pavilion, Dun Laoghaire & the Mermaid, Bray).

THEATRE

BEFORE BY PAT KINEVANE FRIDAY 11 October | 8pm €18/16

Before is a new play with much music, set in Clery’s of Dublin, on the very day this iconic department store shuts - for good. Pontius is inside, trying to choose a gift for his estranged daughter, whom he hasn’t seen for almost 20 years. He will meet her in an hour. This father’s journey is both beautiful and strange, from the isolation of his Midlands home, to the madness of O’Connell Street. Some folk are impossible to buy for… Before was commissioned by Fishamble and has been in development with the support of the Arts Council, National Theatre Studio (London), and The Strollers Touring Network. 29

MUSIC

TWO DIVAS AND A PIANO PRESENT:

LOVE BITES

SATURDAY 12 October | 8pm €18/16 Flo McSweeney, Carmel McCreagh and Fiachra Trench have been delighting audiences with Love Bites; a cocktail of love songs, jazz standards and ballads, from Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday to Joni Mitchell and Tom Waits. If you enjoy great songs with a dash of style and a sprinkle of humour, you'll definitely enjoy Love Bites. "Songs presented with style and sass by this trio of renowned Irish musicians." - Galway Jazz Festival 2018 "There is real emotion and pathos in this warm, good-natured show." -The Irish Times

FILM

PHOTOGRAPH (CERT: 15A)

MONDAY 14 October | 8pm €8/6.50 | Duration: 110mins | Language: Hindi

Rafi is a struggling street photographer in Mumbai. While dreaming of a better life, he sends most of the money he earns back to his village to pay off the debts of his father. Under mounting pressure from his grandmother to get married, a chance encounter leads him to Milon, a shy stranger he convinces to pose as his fiancée. She is a dedicated student, heading for university and success, but her sheltered life has left her isolated and longing. To keep up the façade, Rafi and Milon meet daily and, despite the very different worlds they both hail from, they begin to develop a connection. Ritesh Batra (The Lunchbox), returns to Mumbai for this charming, bittersweet romance.

SCHOOLS/ THEATRE

THE DIG BY PAUL CURLEY

TUESDAY 15 October | 10am & 12pm €8 | Age Suitability: 6 years + | Duration: 45mins All his life Mac has wanted to be an Archaeologist, to be an expert in finding things and working out what they mean. If only he could stick to the facts and not get carried away with his highfalutin stories. But in a world where facts and figures mean so much more than fairy tale and fantasy, Mac has to dig deeper to prove what he finds is what he thinks it is. Will people believe him, or is this just another of his tall tales? Performer and writer Paul Curley, designer Ger Clancy and director Robert Alan Evans, bring this brand new adventure to life. THE DIG spins a classic yarn into a new light that will delight and charm audiences young and old. Supported by The Arts Council Theatre Touring Award, Irish Theatre Institute and Roscommon Arts Centre.

TALK/ SCREENING

WILDERLAND FILM FESTIVAL WEDNESDAY 16 October | 8pm €14.50/12.50

Wilderland is a brand new film festival bringing important, breathtaking stories from the natural world to the big screen, made by independent filmmakers from around the globe. These groundbreaking short films will offer audiences unparalleled insight into some of the world’s most incredible wildlife, from snow leopards to orangutans to humpback whales. Speakers from the festival will host and introduce each film live on stage

MUSIC

LOCO POR LORCA

FRIDAY 18 October | 8pm €16/14 | Duration: 1 hr (no interval) Federico García Lorca, Spain’s National Poet, playwright & collector of Spanish folk & flamenco songs, was much influenced by an early translation of J.M. Synge’s Riders to the Sea. And across the seas, Lorca still reaches deep into our hearts. One of the first poets to tune Lorca’s distinctly Andalusian music into English was Michael Hartnett. Loca por Lorca honours these two great poets with new translations into English by Keith Payne & Irish by Theo Dorgan, together with new musical compositions and arrangements of Spanish folk music from Cormac Juan Breatnach, Jaime Muñoz, Carlos Beceiro & Cormac de Barra supported by motion graphics from Luis Poveda. Kindly supported by The Arts Council of Ireland & Northern Ireland.

MUSIC

BRAY SIDE BOYZ – GLOBAL WARMING SATURDAY 19 October | 8pm €10/8

Bray Side Boyz are a hip hop duo composed of King Cj and Sammy. Having made music individually for many years, the pair decided to form the band Bray Side Boyz after their music video Bray Side went viral a year ago. Since then they have represented Bray hip hop on Ireland’s Got Talent which overwhelmed the judges and presenters. While taking over social media and working on their new album Why Not?, the Bray Side Boyz are looking forward to bringing the real heat to Mermaid with their show Global Warming. 32

FILM

RAFIKI (CERT: UC)

MONDAY 21 October | 8pm €8.50/7 | Duration: 83mins | Language: English, Swahili “Good Kenyan girls become good Kenyan wives,” but Kena and Ziki long for something more. Despite the political rivalry between their families, the girls resist and remain close friends, supporting each other to pursue their dreams in a conservative society. When love blossoms between them, the two girls will be forced to choose between happiness and safety.

MUSIC

THE ELDEST GRANDSON OF JOHNNY CASH -

THOMAS GABRIEL FRIDAY 25 October | 8pm €20/18

Thomas Gabriel is the eldest grandson of Johnny Cash. Predominantly raised on the road with his grandparents, he dreamed of life as a career musician. When he was young, his grandfather would call him onstage to sing. Thomas is a prolific songwriter. His own music brings to mind the likes of Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt and Tom Russell. Along with a voice that sounds so much like his grandfather’s, he brings a wealth of stories from his memories of his childhood and of growing up a member of such an iconic family. 33

MUSIC

MUSIC NETWORK PRESENTS: AIRELLE BESSON,SEBASTIAN STERNAL & JONAS BURGWINKEL TRIO SATURDAY 26 October | 8pm €16/14

Leading the new wave of young European improvising trumpeters, Airelle Besson is formidable, compelling and frankly, astonishing. Sometimes embracing a baroque sense of form and lyricism, she can turn on a sixpence and send forth grooves that mark her out as a fine jazz presence and a thoughtful and articulate composer. With the elegant and lucid playing of pianist Sebastian Sternal and drummer Jonas Burgwinkel bringing his classic jazz and avant garde sensibilities to the table, this is a trio whose music is both considered and free, communicative and compelling. Listening to each other and to the moment, they build an architecture of eloquent and clean sound, without clutter, but with masses of heart.

FILM

A FAITHFUL MAN

(CERT: UC)

MONDAY 28 October | 8pm €8.50/7 | Duration: 75mins | Language: French Marianne leaves Abel for Paul, his best friend and the father of her unborn child. Eight years later, Paul dies and Marianne returns to Abel. However, things have changed for the both of them and feelings of jealousy surround their new relationship. Award-winning actor Louis Garrel (The Dreamers, Redoubtable) directs and stars in this light-hearted drama about the unanticipated joys and heartbreaks one man experiences over the years.

MUSIC

VYVIENNE LONG (IRE) & FRANK BURKITT (NZ/SCOT) FRIDAY 1 November | 8pm €16/14 | Friends Selected Show

Vyvienne Long and Frank Burkitt are embarking on a tour of Ireland in November 2019, performing their original songs on cello, guitar and voice. Vyvienne is admired as a compelling vocalist and songwriter of incisive wit. Critics have drawn comparisons with Björk, Tori Amos and Joanna Newsome. Having recently been awarded the Vodafone NZ Music Award for Best Folk Artist 2019, Frank is bringing his anecdotes and intelligently crafted songs to the European stage.

FILM

PAPI CHULO (CERT: 15)

MONDAY 4 November | 8pm €8/6.50 | Duration: 99mins | Language: English Sean, a successful weatherman, has an on-air meltdown and is forced to take time off to rest. Struggling to fill his days, he embarks on some disasterous DIY in an attempt to put things behind him. This ultimately requires him to hire Ernesto, a middleaged Latino migrant worker to paint the deck of his house and an unlikely friendship develops.Writer/director John Butler (The Stag, Handsome Devil) delivers an uplifting comedy that is a ode to the joy of friendship. Our First Monday’s short film In Plain Sight will be screened prior to the film.

CHILDREN'S THEATRE

ABSOLUTE LEGENDS

SATURDAY 2 November | 4pm & 7pm €16/13 | Family Ticket: €45 | Age Suitability: 6+ | Duration: 1hr All their lives, Sean and Seamus have wanted to be famous. To get there they need to make the perfect dance routine, and they need your help. In this dance fantasy adventure two brothers rock out some banging moves, run into trouble, have a few tantrums, cause a teensy bit of mayhem and find out if fame is really what they’re looking for after all. Fusing their signature combination of dizzying acrobatics, riotous comedy and big heart, Lords of Strut have teamed up with THISISPOPBABY to bring you their most fun and fabulous family show yet!

LOCAL ARTS

SQUARE ONE

TUESDAY 5 - SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER | 8pm Details to be announced Square One Theatre Group have been stunning Wicklow audiences with high-quality theatre productions for over 40 years, staging two full productions per year. This spring we will welcome Square One back to Mermaid for what is sure to be another wonderful show. The details of their upcoming 5-night run are soon to be announced, keep an eye on our website and social media for more. See SquareOneTheatreGroup.ie.

THEATRE

IN DEVELOPMENT

GUEST HOST STRANGER GHOST BY KATE HEFFERNAN FRIDAY 8 November | 6pm Free (Booking essential)

Kate Heffernan’s Guest Host Stranger Ghost is a new play about three people living in another person’s home, to be performed on the stages of other people’s plays. An urgent story about our culture and environment, it is concerned with the steady loss of social housing, the rapid growth in the need for nursing home places, and a contemporary housing anxiety where the only permanence is transience. Kate will develop this new work with a full creative team at Mermaid in November. 37

9 - 17 November 2019

YARN

YARN STORYTELLING FESTIVAL 2019 SATURDAY 9 - SUNDAY 17 November

Welcome to YARN Storytelling Festival Bray 2019. This is Mermaid's 10th year of YARN and we look forward to welcoming you! “Unlike other mediums, stories told will be different every time. An old story can find new life in the mind of a storyteller. No form of entertainment is quite like a story, it doesn’t have a large set or props. It’s one person in a room or at a campfire talking, and yet against all the odds they are simply wondrous. A story told is so much more than a story, it’s an experience, and there is no better way to experience than at the Yarn Festival. Come listen to performers from across the world, or from our own island spin masterful tales that captivate and encapsulate the human imagination and its infinite abilities”. Lorcan Murphy, Transition Year Placement.

YARN

CILLIAN BRENNAN

Ó BHOTHÁIN GO CAISLEÁIN SATURDAY 9 November | 12pm Free | Venue: Town Hall (Upstairs)

Fadó, fadó bhíodh scéalta, seanchas agus saíocht ar fáil ón seanchaí. Ní saoi ná seanchaí é Cillian Ó Braonáin agus pleidhcíocht seachas saíocht a chuireann sé ar fáil, ach is cinnte go bfhuil sé siúlach agus scéalach. I gcomhluadar síoga, draoithe, laochra agus tuilleadh a bheidh tú agus tú ag éisteacht lena scéalta.

YARN

FAMILY TALES WITH CILLIAN BRENNAN

SHORTENING THE ROAD

SATURDAY 9 November | 2pm Free | Venue: The Shoot Room, Killrudddery | Age Suitability: 5+ Cillian Brennan tells the stories he's heard and the ones he's made up to anyone who'll sit still long enough to listen to them. His favourite stories are ones that contain seeds of truth sheathed in beautiful lies. An award-winning stand-up comedian, Cillian's first love has always been stories. He has performed at the Listowel Writers’ Festival, at the Cape Clear Storytelling Festival, and at other storytelling events up and down the country. His particular interest in the Irish Language spurred him on to found ReRá – a monthly Irish-language storytelling night in Cork City where he continues to live happily ever after. 39

YARN

A FUN PARTICIPATORY WORKSHOP WITH PHILIP BYRNE

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

SATURDAY 9 November | 3pm €5 in aid of Greystones Cancer Support | Venue: The Martello | Duration: 2 hs Join storyteller Philip Byrne for a fun, participatory workshop exploring the back story or the “what happened next” of existing “six-word stories”. These are full stories condensed into six words but beg the question of what happened before the event and/or what happened after. For example: “Freeze! Don’t move!” “I’m just …” BANG! or ‘Found true love. Married someone else.’ These raise more questions than answers. We’ll have creative fun ‘fleshing-out’ stories like these. Limited to 12 participants, booking essential. Kindly supported by An Evening of Food, Folklore & Fairies in The Brazen Head (Johnny Daly Irish Folk Tours).

YARN

SUPERNATURAL IRELAND WITH HELENA BYRNE SATURDAY 9 November | 8pm €12/10 | Venue: Town Hall (Upstairs) | Age Suitability: 16+

Today's Ireland is fast paced and technology heavy. Our phones give us the world at our fingertips. Scientific research progresses by the day. Yet the Irish still wear the supernatural on their sleeves. Join storyteller Helena Byrne as she delves into that which remains unexplained, with tales of spirits and demonic energies across Ireland, haunted buildings that carry the weight of their history into the present day, and accounts of personal experiences that have shaken the staunchest of sceptics. 40

YARN

NIALL DE BÚRCA’S WORLD TALES SUNDAY 10 November | 3pm €5 | Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre

Grab your seat and hang on tight, Niall de Búrca is coming to Mermaid Arts Centre! More dangerous than the pied piper, de Búrca will cast a spell on young and old alike. Join him on Sunday 10th November as he conjures up a roller coaster of tales from many lands. Raised on the wild Atlantic coast, Niall now performs worldwide sharing tales of derring do!

YARN

MOTH & BUTTERFLY

SUNDAY 10 November | 7pm €10/8 | Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre | Age Suitability: 16+ Described as ‘Galway’s most magical arts night’, Moth and Butterfly is a storytelling event with huge heart. The tellers combine short true personal stories, fiction/folk tales with improvised stories, as well as inviting audience tellers to participate. Each night of stories has a theme, and for YARN that theme is ‘The Connection’. For more info on how the night works visit: facebook.com/mothandbutterflystories. To request your name in the hat to tell on the night email: mothandbutterflystories@gmail.com. Join us for a very special night of stories. 41

FILM

PERMISSION (COLD SWEAT) (CERT: UC) MONDAY 11 November | 8pm €8.50/7 | Duration: 85mins | Language: Persian

Afrooz is captain of Iranian professional female football team. As the rest of her squad fly out to the Asian Cup finals, she’s left stranded at the airport because her husband has not given the Iranian authorities permission for her to leave the country.

YARN

BOMBINATE THEATRE

SUSIE AND THE STORY SHREDDER

TUESDAY 12 November | 10:30am & 12pm €8 | Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre | Age Suitability: 6+ | Duration: 50mins All stories are banned in the kingdom of Levitas. King Levi says that stories make your brain go fuzzy and your hands turn green. It’s Susie and Shredder’s job to enforce the King’s law, shredding stories from dawn ‘til dusk. But today, Susie will read a story for the very first time. Perhaps stories aren’t so scary after all. An upbeat adventure from the award-winning creators of Half Light. (No actual stories were harmed in the making of this play). "Smart, funny, and wonderfully engaging." - The Arts Review **** For school bookings contact box office on 01-2724030. Tour funded by The Arts Council of Ireland.

YARN/TALK

BRIAN WHITE

THE MARITIME HISTORY OF BRAY TUESDAY 12 November | 8pm €5 | Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre

Bray has strong maritime traditions, but did you know that Bray had five harbours, the first established in 1699 around a lime kiln just off the Seapoint Road? Golf came to Bray in 1762 as a result of smuggling. Yes, pirates used Bray to smuggle tea, gin, brandy and tobacco. In 1957 the lighthouse fell into the sea at Bray Harbour giving to the saying that "Bray is the only place in the world with a lighthouse for submarines". Bathing Goggles were invented in Bray. Come and explore the Maritime History of the town.

YARN

STORYTELLING AT DUFF'S WITH

HJÖRLEIFUR STEFÁNSSON (ICELAND) WEDNESDAY 13 November | 8pm Free | Venue: Frank Duff's Lounge, Main St.

A highlight of this year's YARN Festival, join us in Frank Duff's Lounge for an evening of tales from Iceland. Hjörleifur Stefánsson was born in western Iceland in the middle of second hay harvest in August 1979. He is a farmer, innkeeper, carpenter and a fan of all things brewed. Hjörleifur grew up on a farm with his grandparents living a stone’s throw away on the next farm over. He was served stories of old Iceland as well as poems and songs along with his porridge for years, his grandparents being storytellers by nature. 43

YARN

CANDLELIT TALES IN COLLABORATION WITH AINDREAS DE STACK

SETTING SAIL ON A VOYAGE TALE

THURSDAY 14 November | 8pm €5 in aid of RNLI Dun Laoghaire - pay on door | Venue: Harbour Bar (Upstairs) We the Irish have travelled far and wide telling all sorts of tales. The greater the Voyage, the greater the tale. Aindrias de Staic teams up with un-traditional storytelling troupe, Candlelit Tales. An award winning musician/comedian/storyteller, Aindrias brings his fiddle playing and folk-tale telling talent to the Irish Myth and Music aficionados, Aron Hegarty and Ru O’Shea. A coming together of some of Ireland's most exciting new story-tellers. Young artists who inject energy, music and humour into their stories. These three gifted storytellers and musicians will set sail this November, and embark on a night of music, myth and madness. Photograph by Ru O'Shea.

YARN

NIALL DE BÚRCA PRESENTS SOPHIE’S TALE FRIDAY 15 November | 11am €5 | Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre | Age Suitability: 14+

It’s 1942 and Hitler controls most of Europe. The Nazi Führer orders all opposition be eliminated and The Final Solution enacted. In the East his 6th Army marches on Stalingrad. In Munich a young woman starts University. Sophie Scholl was born in 1921; the year Hitler took over the Nazi Party and began his climb to power. Sophie joins her brother and friends at University in acts of resistance against Nazi rule. The stakes are high; to be caught means certain death.

YARN

NIALL DE BÚRCA PRESENTS HOOLEY OF TALES FRIDAY 15 November | 8pm €12/10 | Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre | Age Suitability: 16+

Join Niall de Búrca for an evening of traditional and contemporary stories including The Tale of Mary McAteer. A young woman who moves to County Wicklow to work at Dell on the Boghall Road. While waking the beach one day Mary uncovers an object that sparks a series of decisions from which there is no return.

YARN WORKSHOP

LIZ WEIR: EARNED WISDOM

SATURDAY 16 November | 10.30am - 4:30pm €30 | Venue: Mermaid Arts Cenre A workshop on telling stories for and with older people and people living with dementia. Facilitated by storyteller Liz Weir, this workshop aims to show how storytelling can effectively promote inter-generational activity, preserve memories, improve self esteem and value the memories and contribution of older members of our community. It links the past, present and future. The presentation will be inter-active and practical. Liz Weir recently received an MBE for her work with storytelling and older people. A great opportunity to tap in to her expertise. Limited capacity, early booking advised. The full workshop programme can be viewed on www.mermaidartscentre.ie

YARN

STORYTELLING YOGA WITH NICOLA FOXE SATURDAY 16 November | 10am & 11:30am €10 | Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre | Age Suitability: 3 - 8 years

Using popular titles such as We're Going on a Bear Hunt and The Gruaffalo, Nicola Foxe combines the wonders of storytelling with the benefits of yoga creating a captivating 'Yoga Storytelling' experience for the children. Moving their way through the beginning and middle to the end of the session, the children will learn breathing techniques and a sequence of poses all to the tune of their favourite stories. Nicola is a child yoga specialist, an SNA and has been teaching yoga to children of all ages, abilities and cultures since 2012.

YARN

ICELANDIC TALES WITH

HJÖRLEIFUR STEFÁNSSON (ICELAND)

SATURDAY 16 November | 2pm Free | Venue: The Shoot Room, Killruddery | Age Suitability: 5+ Hjörleifur Stefánsson is a storyteller and farmer from Iceland. He has collected and shared tales for years, both with his kids, audiences and his sheep. Giants, trolls, hidden people and ghosts are his companions as well as Icelanders of the past and their traditions of song and stories. We are delighted to welcome him to YARN this year and look forward to his tales in the wonderful atmospheric surrounds of The Shoot Room in Killruddery.

YARN

ORCHARD TALES WITH

HJÖRLEIFUR STEFÁNSSON (ICELAND)

SATURDAY 16 November | 4pm Free | Venue: Fassaroe Community Centre | Age Suitability: 5+ Join our guest storyteller from Iceland, Hjörleifur Stefánsson, for some family tales as we continue to celebrate the Heritage Orchard planted by children. As the trees grow stronger each year so too do the tales and this year we are in for a real treat. Hjörleifur has been collecting tales for years and his tales are steeped in Iceland traditions. Expect trolls, giants and a lot of fun. All are welcome.

YARN

COLUM SANDS – SONG BRIDGE

SATURDAY 16 November | 8pm €12/10 | Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre | Friend's Selected Show Colum Sands has spent much of his life travelling the world, crossing borders and building bridges with the power of his songs and stories, often using humour as a way to point out the odder aspects of human behaviour. His longest journeys always bring him home to where the magnificent oak trees of Rostrevor’s ancient woodland sweep down to the spectacular shores of Carlingford Lough. Where swallows and seagulls share the airways and people ponder on the mysteries of Brexit and other conundrums of life, Colum continues to weave the new songs and stories which will make up his 10th album, Song Bridge, due for release in September 2019. 47

YARN

THE SPEKS

SUNDAY 17 November | 2pm €8 | Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre | Age Suitability: 2 - 92 years A family highlight at this year’s YARN, The Speks present a lively show of nursery rhymes and sing-along songs set to acoustic Irish music which will have adults and kids jumping in their seats! The Speks live on a mysterious island off the coast of Co. Clare called Glasses Island where everybody wears glasses! The band encourages kids to sing, scream, clap and dance along during their performances. Winners of the Parent’s Choice music award in the US where their music has been described as “Riverdance for toddlers!, this will be a great fun event for kids of all ages. Sing along and sing aloud! Early booking advised. "The Speks... They're really great." – Derek Mooney, RTE Radio 1

FILM

THE SOUVENIR

(Cert: 15A)

MONDAY 18 November | 8pm €8/6.50 | Duration: 119mins | Language: English A shy film student begins finding her voice as an artist while navigating a turbulent courtship with a charismatic but untrustworthy man. She defies her protective mother and concerned friends as she slips deeper and deeper into an intense, emotionally fraught relationship which comes dangerously close to destroying her dreams. The Souvenir is a 2019 AmericanBritish drama film, written and directed by Joanna Hogg. It stars Honor Swinton Byrne, Tom Burke, and Tilda Swinton. Winner-Grand Jury Prize, World Cinema, Sundance film Festival 2019

THEATRE YARN

THE CROWMAN

THURSDAY 21 November | 8pm €20/18 | Friend's Selected Show Jon Kenny stars in The Crowman, new play in which he plays numerous characters. The primary one is Dan, a man in his 50s who is living alone. He is a loner and feels himself an outsider looking in on the community. During the play he discovers that he is not as much an outsider as he thinks. When he hears about the passing of a dear friend, he is forced to look back on his own troubled youth and face up to his demons. The play is at times poignant and tragic but also has a warmth and humour as Jon slips seamlessly in and out of the many uproariously funny characters. The people he depicts are surreal and humorous but tinged with tragedy and Jon plays each with his amazing ability of character acting and hilarious humour.

MUSIC

CRASH ENSEMBLE

FRIDAY 22 November | 8pm €18/16 Crash Ensemble are Ireland’s leading new music ensemble; a group of world-class musicians who play the most adventurous, groundbreaking music of today. Performing as a quartet Crash will present works by Irish composers Amy Rooney, Barry O’Halpin, Grainne Mulvey, Sam Perkin, Judith Ring and Brian Bolger as well as György Ligeti. Crash Ensemble, an Irish new-music collective with international cachet and considerable chops. -The Washington

XMAS LIGHTS SPECIAL

STICK MAN & THE SNOWMAN SATURDAY 23 November | 5:30pm €5

Kick off the festive season and join us after the switching on of the Christmas lights in Bray for two back to back Christmas short films. Stick Man | Duration: 27mins Stick Man lives in the family tree with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three, and he's heading on an epic adventure across the seasons. Will he get back to his family in time for Christmas? The Snowman | Duration: 26mins On Christmas Eve, a young boy builds a snowman that comes to life and takes him to the North Pole to meet Father Christmas.

FILM

PAIN & GLORY (Cert: 16)

MONDAY 25 November | 8pm €8/6.50 | Duration: 113mins | Language: Spanish Veteran director Salvador Mallo currently suffers many health issues, which he blames for the creative rut he finds himself in. As he tries to recover both creatively and physically, he remembers his mother and reflects on his work, family and past loves. Antonio Banderas and Penélope Cruz reunite with award-winning director Pedro Almodóvar in his most personal film to date. Winner – Best Actor, Cannes Film Festival 2019.

LOCAL ARTS

LORETO & PRESENTATION COLLEGE PRESENT:

BACK TO THE 80's

WEDNESDAY 27 - SATURDAY 30 November | 8pm €17 | €60 Family Ticket (2 Adults & 2 Children) Join the class of 1985 as they experience the fun and heartbreak of growing up in a totally awesome decade. From the era that brought the world the Rubik's Cube, Max Headroom,and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles come the 'totally awesome' musical Back to the 80's. In the style of movies such as Back to the Future, Ferris Buellers Day Off and The Karate Kid, Back to the 80's is a nostalgic romp through the greatest hits of the decade.

LOCAL ARTS

ANISS STAGE ACADEMY SUNDAY 1 December | 6pm €13

Aniss Stage Academy proudly presents ‘ Wizmania’ featuring upper school students from ASA SHANKILL- an all dancing, singing and acting spectacle!

FILM

THE MUSTANG (Cert: 15A)

MONDAY 2 December | 8pm €8/6.50 | Duration: 96mins | Language: English Roman Coleman, a convict in a rural Nevada prison, initially bristles when a psychiatrist sentences him to a horse therapy program as part of his state-mandated rehabilitation. But once there, spotted by a no-nonsense veteran trainer and aided by a more experienced fellow inmate (Jason Mitchell), he is accepted on to the selective wild horse training section of the program and tasked with taming an especially unbreakable mustang, with whom – gradually – he forms a profound bond. Our First Monday’s short film Wild Thing will be screened prior to the film.

DANCE

WICKLOW SCREENDANCE LABORATORY 2019 MONDAY 2 & TUESDAY 3 December | €6 for evening screening | Further details to be announced

Following the success of the last two years, Wicklow Screendance Laboratory will run again on December 2nd and 3rd at Mermaid Arts Centre and Perfect Theatre Studios, Bray. Under the artistic direction and project management of Dr Adrienne Brown, there will be film screenings, dance performances and a Salon. The Salon, at Perfect Theatre Studios will be a free event, and tickets for Mermaid will be free during the day or €6 for evening screenings. This event celebrates a theme of Renewal at the darkest time of the year, and return to the Light.

MUSIC

PHIL COULTER - RETURN TO TRANQUILLITY FRIDAY 6 December | 8pm €30/28

Phil Coulter has an a long career as a songwriter, producer and recording artist. In a recent poll to find Ireland’s Favourite Folksong Phil was delighted to see THE TOWN I LOVED SO WELL in the top ten of the most popular Irish songs of all time. As Phil trawls through his 50 years of creativity he will share some of the big hits alongside some which he thought should have been hits! An original retrospective on the work of one of our finest, it’s a show for every lover of good music.

FILM

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (Cert: 16) SATURDAY 7 December | 8pm €8/6.50 | Duration: 165mins | Language: English

Los Angeles under a flaming sunset, rows of towering palm trees swaying in the breeze. Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, Quintan Tarantino's latest masterpiece, is imbued with the aesthetics of the City of Angels' inimitable glamour. Set in 1969, this Hollywood pastiche is the filmmaker's ode to the city of his childhood years, and inevitably stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt as Rick and Cliff, inspired by the life of Burt Reynolds.

LOCAL ARTS

JUNIOR MUSICALS CHRISTMAS SHOW

THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR DREAMCOAT

SUNDAY 8 December | 1.30pm, 4.30pm & 7.30pm €18 | €65 Family Ticket (2 Adults & 2 Children Under 12 - Limited Availability) The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat – Junior Musicals Christmas Show. Junior and Youth Musicals proudly present The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, their Christmas show bursting with talent and colour. This festive show features vibrant excerpts from the musicals Grease and Joseph, hip hop routines to the latest chart hits, choral singing by the Junior Musicals Theatre School Choir and the tots bring home the real meaning of Christmas with their Nativity play. Join in the fun with audience participation and our live band. Entertainment for all the family! 54

CHILDREN'S THEATRE

BABY’S FIRST XMAS

MONDAY 9 December | 11am, 12pm & 1pm €10 per baby | Age Suitability: 0 - 12 months | Duration: 20mins + some playtime BABY’S FIRST XMAS is a gentle magical wonderland of gorgeous harmony singing, little lights and enticing textures. Created for babies under one year old by Anna Newell and David Goodall whose work for Early Years audiences has been seen on five continents, this Christmas show promises to delight and entrance the very tiniest of audience members. Each baby can bring one adult guest with them and, to make this a very special experience, audience capacity is very limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. Create by Anna Newell and funded by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon in partnership with The Civic, Tallaght.

FILM

THE SHINY SHRIMP (CERT: UC)

MONDAY 9 December | 8pm €8.50/7 | Duration: 100mins | Language: French Matthias Le Goff, an Olympic champion at the end of his career, makes a homophobic statement on TV. His punishment: coach the Shiny Shrimps, a flamboyant and amateur gay water-polo team. They have only one thing in mind: to qualify for the Gay Games in Croatia where the hottest international LGBT athletes compete. It's the start of a bumpy and joyful ride.

LOCAL ARTS

COLÁISTE RAÍTHÍN

WEDNESDAY 11 & THURSDAY 12 December | 8pm €15/10 Beidh ceoldráma den chéad scoth á léiriú ag daltaí na hidirbhliana Choláíste Ráithín. Taibhiú bríomhar ceoil, damhsa agus aisteoireachta! Le blianta fada anuas, tá cultúr drámaíochta den scoth léirithe ag daltaí na scoile agus ní haon eisceacht é seo! Coláiste Ráithín students will deliver an amazing spectacle of music, dance and drama, as they bring to the stage their transition year musical. Once again the students of Coláiste Ráithín will continue to build on our longstanding culture of bringing excellent drama to the stage!

FILM

AMAZING GRACE (CERT: G)

FRIDAY 13 December | 8pm €8/6.50 | Duration: 87mins | Language: English In January 1972, Aretha Franklin made her legendary album ‘Amazing Grace’ with the Southern California Community Choir and Reverend James Cleveland in the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. At the height of her fame, she made the decision to return to where she began, to the world of gospel music. Recorded in two days, this live album was to become the most successful gospel record of all time. The result is a concert film that celebrates human dignity and the longing for freedom and justice and is able to transcend nostalgia and intervene in discussions about the state of the modern world. 56

LOCAL ARTS

PERFORMERS THEATRE SCHOOL PRESENT

A CHRISTMAS SNOW WHITE

SATURDAY 14 | 7pm & SUNDAY 15 December | 2pm €15/12 | €45 Family Ticket (Sunday Only) Performers Theatre School return to Mermaid with the classic snow white story with a Christmas twist. Aged from 3yrs, these talented students will bring you on a wonderful journey with more than one snow white! With lots of audience participation and fun, this production promises to provide lots of entertainment for all the family.

XMAS FILM

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (CERT: G)

MONDAY 16 December | 8pm €8/6.50 | Duration: 130mins | Language: English Beset with personal and professional problems, George Bailey finds his previously happy life falling apart around him on Christmas Eve. Seeing no way out, George considers suicide from the edge of a bridge - but Clarence, his guardian angel, intervenes and shows George what his beloved hometown of Bedford Falls would be like without him. Shocked by what he sees and at the unforeseen circumstances of his absence, George reconsiders and begs Clarence to return him to the problems of the present and the loving community he has fostered throughout his life. 57

CHILDREN'S THEATRE

Christmas is coming and Sally can't sleep – it's far too hot! The weather has gone topsy-turvy. No-one can remember the last time it snowed, or even rained, and her father can't sell any of his umbrellas. To help her sleep Dad reads her a story about the last snowflake. That night Sally has a dream that changes everything – a mysterious silver spark transforms her bedroom into a glistening, white field where she meets the glowing heart of Winter. Heart of Winter is Lyngo's magical new musical show which warmly celebrates family, friendship and the good fortune of finding the winter we really need and want…with the precious festive offering of lots of fluffy snow!

XMAS FILM

THE GRINCH (CERT: G)

WEDNESDAY 18 December | 7pm €8/6.50 | Duration: 90mins | Language: English Based on Dr. Seuss’ beloved holiday classic, the Grinch tells the story of a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christmas, only to have his heart changed by a young girl’s generous holiday spirit. Funny, heartwarming and visually stunning, it’s a universal story about the spirit of Christmas and the indomitable power of optimism.

XMAS FILM

THE NUTCRACKER & THE FOUR REALMS (CERT: PG) THURSDAY 19 December | 7pm €8/6.50 | Duration: 99mins | Language: English

All Clara wants is a key – a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift from her late mother. A golden thread, presented to her at her godfather Drosselmeyer’s annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key—which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip, a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger, to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world.

DANCE

BALLET IRELAND PRESENT SWAN LAKE

FRIDAY 20 + SATURDAY 21 | 7pm + SUNDAY 22 December | 2:30pm €25/23 | €84 Family Ticket Ballet Ireland is delighted to present Swan Lake, one of the great love stories of classical ballet. Swan Lake tells the story of Odette, a beautiful princess, who turned into a swan by day by evil magician Von Rothbart, only to regain her human form at night. Out hunting by the lakeside, Prince Siegfried encounters her and falls madly in love with her. But will he be able to break Von Rothbart’s spell? This enduring story of love and tragedy, good and evil, and has enthralled audiences since it premiered in 1877. This autumn 22 leading professional dancers from Ireland and abroad will perform in this breath-taking production. 59

XMAS FILM

GREMLINS (CERT: 15)

MONDAY 23 December | 7pm €8/6.50 | Duration: 102mins | Language: English When Billy Peltzer is given the cute and friendly little Mogwai, Gizmo, for Christmas, he is told never to expose it to bright light, get it wet or ever feed it after midnight. But one night when a glass of water is accidentally spilled over little Gizmo, Billy soon finds out why he was told to follow this advice as Gizmo begins to convulse, producing five new Mogwai. Soon after, the town is overrun by a new breed of Mogwai - the 'Gremlins' - who are menacing little reptilian creatures, and far from friendly.

CHILDREN'S THEATRE

PAULA LAMBERT PUPPET THEATRE PRESENTS

BOSCO AND SLEEPING BEAUTY FRIDAY 3 January | 2pm & 4pm €12 | Duration: 75mins

Bosco is Bosco, not a boy, not a girl, just a Bosco: a cheeky, lovely, funny, slightly-cracked, irrepressible, eternal five-year-old who lives in a box and who loves nothing more than to just be Bosco and meet all the boys and girls. After starring on Irish TV for three decades, you’ll see why Bosco remains a firm favourite for each new generation. Enjoy the enchanted story of Sleeping Beauty where an evil FairyNight filled with jealousy try’s to harm Beauty but luckily she has very good fairy friends. With its brilliant array of Characters, lots of fun and excitement through this completely interactive live experience with the absolute magic of Puppet Theatre.

MUSIC

LEGENDS OF AMERICAN COUNTRY SATURDAY 4 January | 8pm €25

The Legends of American Country returns for another fantastic night of toe tapping Country classics. The 2020 tour will showcase highly acclaimed tributes to Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Don William, Patsy Cline and Kenny Rogers and 5 brand new tributes to icons Hank Williams, Charley Pride, Glen Campbell, Tammy Wynette and Jim Reeves with countless other well known hit songs in this must see extravaganza. The show features 4 fantastic singers who are all backed by the superb award winning live band and coupled with an authentic stage set that will transport you all the way hand clapping and toe talking to Nashville and back. One things for sure if you like Country music this is the only show in town!

FILM

KURSK: THE LAST MISSION (CERT: UC) MONDAY 6 January | 8pm €8.50/7 | Duration: 117mins | Language: English

An explosion on a nuclear-powered Russian submarine kills most of the men aboard and causes the few survivors to huddle in waterlogged and oxygen deficient rear compartments, where they anxiously await rescue. It is a race against time with oxygen levels running low as the Russian government plans the best course of action, before finally accepting help from the British and Norwegian governments.

FILM

PAVAROTTI (CERT:12A)

FRIDAY 10 January | 8pm €8/6.50 | Duration: 114mins | Language: English Created from a combination of Luciano Pavarotti’s genre-redefining performances and granted access to never-before-seen footage, the film will give audiences around the world a stunningly intimate portrait of the most beloved opera singer of all time. Director Ron Howard takes an intimate approach in telling Pavarotti’s story, going beyond the iconic public figure to reveal the man himself. We get to know the great tenor as a husband and a father, a committed philanthropist, as well as a fragile artist who had a complex relationship with his own unique talents and unprecedented success.

CIRCUS

HOW TO SQUARE A CIRCLE SATURDAY 11 January | 7pm €16/14 | Family Ticket: €50

‘Just because something is impossible, doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying’. A heart warming story of friendship, ego, love and the joys a cup of tea. With gravity defying acrobatics, aerial dance, cyr wheel and lots of laughter, dynamic duo Ronan Brady and Aisling Ní Cheallaigh, two of Ireland's leading circus performers explore the realm of the impossible, where the possibilities are infinite. Suitable for all ages, How to Square a Circle is contemporary Irish Circus at its best. 62

WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS & A FANTASTIC 2020. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN 2019.

GIFT VOUCHERS ARE AVAILABLE 24/7 ONLINE AND CAN BE PRINTED AT HOME

FOR CHRISTMAS BOX OFFICE & CAFÃ&#x2030; OPENING HOURS PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON OUR WEBSITE

BECOME A MERMAID FRIEND

Become a Friend of Mermaid and help us to support artists and projects in our community. All income from donations to Mermaid Arts Centre is allocated for the creation of new work and the support of artists. Mermaid Arts Centre is a charity and your friendship makes a huge difference. Benefits include complimentary tickets to friends selected shows each season and 10% off in Betelnut Café at Mermaid.

FRIENDS SELECTED SHOWS - MUSIC NETWORK PRESENTS BANGERS AND CRASH

PERCUSSION GROUP | PG 27 - VYVIENNE LONG & FRANK BURKITT | PG 35 - COLUM SANDS – SONG BRIDGE | PG 47 - THE CROWMAN | PG 49

MERMAID FRIEND LEVELS MERMAID FRIEND LEVEL 1: €60

- 1 free ticket per season to a friends selected show - 10% off at Betelnut Café - Invitations/Special Offers

MERMAID FRIEND LEVEL 2: €120

- 2 free tickets per season to a friends selected show - Concession rate on all film screenings - 10% off at Betelnut Café - Invitations/Special Offers

MERMAID FRIEND LEVEL 3: €350

- 4 free tickets per season to a friends selected show - 10% off at Betelnut Café - Unlimited concession rates for all film screenings & shows, if available - Invitations/Special Offers

MERMAID FRIEND LEVEL 4: €1000

All of the above perks along with tailor-made promotion and partnership opportunities to meet your needs.

OUR MERMAID FRIENDS

Alpha CC

Margaret Jameson

Key Plastics

Sally & Sean Clifford

Craft Picture Framing Jean & Ian MacGreevy

Alan & Marie Downes

Frank Duff’s Lounge Jean Gibson Cllr&Mrs George & Joan Jones Ian & Christine Scott Carolyn MacDonnell Peggy Masterson Beatrice Lasserre Philip & Noella O’Reilly

Annick Smith Brendan & Jane Newsome Jane Kierans Sean Leahy John Kelly Daphne Millar Nanette O’Connell Don Bagley

Martin & Patricia Davidson

Rick Caldicott

Derek Pullen

Joan Davis

John McCormick

Shireen Fisher

Yvonne & Jim Kidd

Catherine Kelly

Mary Doyle

Raymond Comyn

Pat Ralph

Claire Maguire

Bernie Chambers

Lee Donnelly

Marie Ryan

Des & Ita McGarry

Helen McAllister

Teresa Kehoe

Finola Murphy

Maureen Concannon

Kathleen Connolly

Marie & Martin O’Brien

MERMAID INFORMATION BOOKING YOUR TICKETS

We have no booking fees - at all, so book how you wish!

- PHONE: 01 272 4030 - ONLINE: www.mermaidartscentre.ie - IN PERSON: Pop in to us at box office during our opening hours. - Please note, once purchased, tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded. - Group discount available for groups of 10 or more for selected shows, please contact box office for further details. - Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the performance. - For the comfort of patrons and performers, latecomers will only be admitted at the interval. Please note visiting companies may have differing policies in this regard.

OPENING HOURS - BOX OFFICE

We are open Monday - Saturday, 10am - 6pm and up until 7.30pm on performance evenings. For Sunday and Bank Holidays performances we are open 1 hour before the performance time.

- GALLERY

Mermaid gallery is open Monday - Saturday, 10am – 6pm and until 8pm on performance nights.

- BETELNUT CAFÉ

The Betelnut Café serves breakfast, lunch, snacks and baked goods from 8am – 6pm Monday to Saturday. The theatre bar is open for pre-show and interval drinks.

GIFT VOUCHERS

Gift vouchers can be purchased online at www.mermaidartscentre. ie and printed at home or alternatively drop into us or call our box office team on 01 272 4030 to purchase a voucher. They can be made up for any amount and are valid for 2 years. They can be used to enjoy any performance at Mermaid from cinema to theatre and everything in between!

KEEP IN TOUCH

To join our mailing or email list, please contact the box office or join online at www.mermaidartscentre.ie. For any other queries please phone us on 01 272 4030 or email info@mermaidartscentre.ie.

ACCESS

Mermaid is a fully accessible venue. If you are planning on visiting Mermaid and have special requirements please contact the box office. Our wheelchair accessible spaces are located in the front row on the ground floor. Please note, it is not possible to book specific wheelchair seating online. Please contact the box office on 01 272 4030 to arrange. 66

MERMAID INFORMATION HOW TO FIND US

Mermaid Arts Centre, Main Street, Bray, Co. Wicklow, A98 N5P1. We are located in the civic offices complex just off the Main Street, left, before the Bank Of Ireland if you are coming up the town.

PARKING

Mermaid has FREE underground parking for all evening and weekend performances. There is also parking available in the overground car park but this is pay and display and is not associated with Mermaid.

OUR FUNDERS

Brochure Design by Rachel Sweeney.

Tel: 01-2724030 WWW.MERMAIDARTSCENTRE.IE