may
- jun - jul - aug 2013
Book your tickets, however suits‌ 01 272 4030
www.mermaidartscentre.ie 10am - 6pm from Mon - Sat and until 8pm on performance nights. Please note! Once purchased, tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded There are no booking fees - at all There are lots of ways to save when visiting Mermaid. You can bring nine of your friends and avail of our group discount, choose from our special offers or become a Mermaid member. The Mermaid gallery is open from 10am - 6pm from Mon to Sat and until 8pm on performance nights. Admission is free. The lovely Betelnut CafĂŠ serves breakfast, lunch, snacks and baked goods from 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday, 9am - 9pm on Saturday and from 10am - 5pm on Sunday. The theatre bar is open for pre-show and interval drinks. To join our mailing list, please contact the box office or join online at www.mermaidartscentre.ie For the comfort of patrons and performers, latecomers will not be admitted until the interval.
It is a great delight to welcome you to our second season of 2013. In the pages that follow, we hope that you will find much to tantalise, inspire and entertain you. We realise that times are tough and challenging for many people, and we are enormously grateful for your continuing support. A whole host of highlights await you in film, music, theatre, comedy and dance and we look forward to return visits by Mermaid favourites Scullion, Finbar Furey and Juliet Turner in the coming months. We are thrilled to welcome back the Open Submission exhibition and in doing so we look forward to showcasing work by many of Wicklow’s finest visual artists, selected for us by Patrick T Murphy of the RHA. For regular attendees, we have a feast of special offers across a number of art forms. We look forward to seeing you here. Maureen Kennelly and the Mermaid team
At Mermaid Arts Centre we strive to make shows as accessible as possible. In these challenging financial times, why not avail of our offers to book lower price tickets by selecting three or four shows this season which you would like to attend. The Mermaid seasonal offers are currently only available to box office and phone bookers. Availability is limited so early booking is advised. Call Mermaid Box Office on 01 272 4030 now to reserve your seats!
The New Triangle
sat 18 may / P.8
Newly formed ensemble comprising dynamic Congolese guitarist Niwel Tsumbu, highly regarded composer and Aosdána member Roger Doyle and acclaimed singer/cellist Vyvienne Long
Oliver Reed – ‘Wild Thing’
fri 24 may / P.11
Robert Crouch portrays hell-raiser Oliver Reed as he knocks back a few drinks and shares his incredible life story
I F Alice F I
wed 5 & thu 6 jun / P.15
Alice and Alice are coming out, defying stereotype, they’re here to share something they’ve never dared to before
David O’Rourke and The Dublin Jazz Orchestra
fri 7 jun / P.15
David O’Rourke returns from New York to tour with the Dublin City Jazz Orchestra, bringing all he learned and more
Lau
sat 8 jun / P.16
Lau generate warmth and excitement with every new release – the three time winner of the BBC Radio Two Folk Award for Best Group never disappoint
SolpadEine is my boyfriend sat 22 jun / P.21 The generation promised everything but finding themselves queuing for the airport or social welfare office seek solace in over the counter medication. Nominated for two Dublin Fringe Awards in 2012
Carmel McCreAgh
sat 29 jun / P.23
Carmel performs songs by Johnny Mercer from new album Skylark and other songs from the Great American Songbook
Beginish
sat 13 jul / P.28
Join some of Ireland’s top traditional musicians, gathered in one place for an evening of music, song and entertainment
The Henry Girls
sat 24 aug / P.35
Hailing from Donegal, the Henry Girls' unique blend of harmonies and hypnotic sound will entrance and entertain in equal measure
5
FILM Mon 6 May 8pm €8/6.50 Dur: 94 mins
The Sessions (12A) Based on the poignantly optimistic autobiographical writings of California-based journalist and poet Mark O’Brien, The Sessions tells the story of a man confined to an iron lung who is determined - at age 38 - to lose his virginity. With the help of his therapists and the guidance of his priest, he sets out to make his dream a reality.
local arts Wed 8, Thu 9, Fri 10 & Sun 12 May @ 7.30pm Sat 11 May @ 7pm €13/10
Action Arts The pupils from Action Arts Bray, Greystones and Wicklow town will entertain and delight you with their end of year show. This year’s show contains extracts from well known much loved musicals including the Sound of Music. You will also be entertained with ethnic and modern dance and scared by fearsome pirates. Come along and enjoy this group of talented children! Not to be missed.
6
film mon 13 may 8pm â‚Ź8/6.50 Dur: 85 mins
Searching For Sugar Man (CLUB) Aspiring '70s folk rock musician Rodriguez never made it big. Despite critical praise, his albums bombed in the U.S., and he faded promptly into obscurity, leaving behind only urban legends of a gruesome onstage suicide. But somehow a bootleg copy of his album made its way to apartheid South Africa, where his anti-establishment message and distinctive sound resonated with the youth protest movement there, making Rodriguez an instant superstar. Decades later, two intrepid fans decide to investigate whatever happened to the mysterious rocker.
film tue 14 may 2.30pm â‚Ź2 Dur: 103 mins
The Sapphires (PG) May belongs to the Bealtaine festival, celebrating creativity as we age! Over 120,000 people now take part in Bealtaine. From dance to cinema, painting to theatre, Bealtaine showcases the talents and creativity of both first-time and professional older artists. Inspired by a true story, this year’s film The Sapphires follows four vivacious, young and talented Australian Aboriginal girls from a remote mission as they learn about love, friendship and war when their all-girl group The Sapphires entertains the U.S. troops in Vietnam in 1968. Ticket price includes free tea/coffee after the screening.
mermaidartscentre.ie 7 01 272 4030
comedy/ Literature thu 16 may 8pm €18/16
Colm O'Regan & Mary O'Rourke Comedian Colm O’Regan’s debut book Isn’t It Well For Ye, The Book Of Irish Mammies is a bestseller nominated for an Irish book award and is on numerous lists of Books of the Year. Its warm and funny observations are a hit with anyone who is or has a Mammy. Politician turned author Mary O'Rourke’s debut book Just Mary reflects on key events in her working life. She is frank about the characters she worked with, and describes life as a woman in the male world of politics, the sexism she sometimes had to deal with, and the difficulties of balancing her busy career with raising a family. A Members’ Selected Show
Local arts fri 17 may 8pm €15
Wicklow Male Voice Choir Bray Lions Club Join us on a musical journey with the ever popular and award winning Wicklow Male Voice Choir. This much loved 53 strong choir takes you on a memorable journey from light opera to jazz, gospel, spiritual, and songs from the musicals. Under the direction of Bernard Geary, the special guest on the night is Sylvester Byrne. Tonight’s performance is in aid of Barnacoyle and Woodside House Arklow Schools for Autism and is organised by the Wicklow, Arklow, Sugarloaf, Dun Laoghaire, Killiney and Bray Lions Clubs and the Sugarloaf Lioness Club.
8
visual arts sat 18 may 2pm €7 Children's Workshop
National Drawing Day Workshop This workshop will take a highly creative and imaginative approach to drawing. Artist Róisín Coyle will introduce the participating children to a variety of fun and effective drawing techniques using both familiar and unusual materials. The children will create large scale masterpieces which they will take home with them. Age suitability: 7-11 yrs / Duration: 90 mins.
music sat 18 may 8pm €16/14 3 for €33/4 for €40
The New Triangle The New Triangle is a newly formed ensemble comprising dynamic Congolese guitarist Niwel Tsumbu, highly regarded composer and Aosdána member Roger Doyle and acclaimed singer/cellist Vyvienne Long. Following a very successful residency in Mermaid Arts Centre, where their performances were rapturously received, The New Triangle embark on their very first nationwide tour. This unique ensemble marries classical, African, electro acoustic and folk traditions to thrilling effect demonstrating the rich collaborative potential of three very distinctive voices on the Irish music scene.
mermaidartscentre.ie 9 01 272 4030
local arts sun 19 may 4pm & 8pm €17/ Family ticket of 4 (2 adults & 2 children) €60
One Day More! Junior Musicals The very talented students at Junior Musicals present One Day More!, their exciting, action-packed end of term show with something for everyone including large excerpts from West-End hits Les Misérables and Oliver. The Junior Musicals Choir will treat you to their performance from Carmen having performed in the opera at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in March and the tiny tots will assist the Prince in trying to wake up Sleeping Beauty. One thing is certain however, the stage will be bursting from beginning to end with acting, singing & dancing. A show not to be missed!
film mon 20 may @ 8pm tue 11 june @ 2.30pm €8/6.50/5 Dur: 151 mins
Lincoln (12A) Steven Spielberg directs Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln, a revealing drama that focuses on the 16th President's tumultuous final months in office. In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change, Lincoln pursues a course of action designed to end the war, unite the country and abolish slavery. With the moral courage and fierce determination to succeed, his choices during this critical moment will change the fate of generations to come.
10
film wed 22 may 8pm €8/6.50
Shortlist Showcase – Signal Arts Centre Signal Arts Centre is delighted to invite you to the screening of the second Signal Film Fest Shortlist Showcase. Signal has launched a short film competition to encourage and support budding and amateur filmmakers. The ten shortlisted entries will be screened in Mermaid before a panel of judges and the winner of the grand prize of a national screening on 3e will be announced as well as awarding runner up prizes from Filmbase and Cinelectric.
local arts thu 23 may 8pm €10
Bray Music Centre
Annual Prize-Giving Concert Come and join our family of students, parents and music lovers! Performance practice is part of what students learn at the Centre and the concert is a celebration of the high standards achieved at our recent competitions. For the first time we have opened the violin competitions up to the public. All styles of music are represented: from rock to classical; infants to adult; solos; groups; and Bray Youth Orchestra (BRYO) making an appearance. Students performing do not pay.
mermaidartscentre.ie 11 01 272 4030
theatre fri 24 may 8pm €18/16 3 for €33/4 for €40
Oliver Reed – Wild Thing with
Robert Crouch
In this blistering, and often hilarious solo show, legendary hellraiser Oliver Reed has a few drinks and shares his incredible life story. From learning he was a descendant of Peter the Great, the success of Oliver, boozy adventures with Keith Moon and disastrous chat show appearances – this was a life well lived. But though he may seem an unstoppable force of nature, this is Malta in 1999, set in a bar during filming Gladiator, and time is fast running out for the Wild Thing. Breslin Productions
Music sat 25 may 8pm €25/23
Finbar Furey What better way to spend your Saturday evening than at an intimate performance by legend Finbar Furey in Mermaid? Finbar Furey has a unique pedigree - an All Ireland Uillean Pipe and Whistle Champion, singer/songwriter as well as playing 5-string banjo and guitar and now actor. Having toured extensively in Britain, Australia and Europe, treating audiences to evenings of pure Irish magic, great music, good humour, and the charm and sparkling wit associated with one of Ireland's great raconteurs, don’t miss your chance to see one of Ireland’s greats at Mermaid.
12
local arts sun 26 may 4pm & 7PM â‚Ź17/ Family ticket of 4 (2 adults & 2 children) â‚Ź60
Dance Magic
Barbara Donnelly Ballet Academy Greystones The Barbara Donnelly Ballet Academy returns yet again with another show not to be missed: Dance Magic. Pupils ranging from tiny tots to adults are sure to dazzle with their dance and performance skills. Displaying a range of classical ballet and modern dances featuring music from classical scores and Broadway hits, something for everyone is guaranteed!
film mon 27 may 8PM â‚Ź8/6.50 Dur: 78 mins
Pilgrim Hill (12A) Jimmy, a middle-aged bachelor farmer living in rural Ireland, is seen as a harmless misfit. He has spent all his adult life as the caretaker of the crumbling family farm on the outskirts of a small town. Life has been tough on Jimmy and is getting worse, as life hits a very rough patch. The film sheds light on the dark side of rural Ireland, where many are living out their lives in isolation and loneliness.
mermaidartscentre.ie 13 01 272 4030
local arts Thu 30 May Sat 1 Jun 7.30pm €15/12
The Magic of the Musicals Performers Theatre School
Performers Theatre School returns to Mermaid with a wonderfully energetic and entertaining show. Ranging in age from as young as 3 years to teens, these talented students will bring you on a magical journey through the musicals. Extracts include The Sound of Music, The Lion King, Wicked, Oliver, Matilda, Mama Mia and many more! A wonderful night's entertainment suitable for all the family.
film sun 2 jun 2pm €5 Dur: 107 mins
Wreck-It Ralph (G) Ralph is tired of being overshadowed by Fix-It Felix, the ‘good guy’ star of their game who always gets to save the day. But after decades of seeing all the glory go to Felix, Ralph decides he's tired of playing the role of a bad guy. He takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on a gamehopping journey across the arcade through every generation of video games to prove he's got what it takes to be a hero.
14
film sun 2 jun 4.30pm €5 Dur: 98 mins
Quartet (12A) Quartet tells the story of retired opera singers and lifelong chums Wilf and Reggie who, together with their former colleague Cissy, reside in the Beecham House retirement home. No ordinary residence, Beecham is host to an entirely musical clientele, from orchestra members to operatic luminaries. Each year on Giuseppe Verdi’s birthday, the residents arrange a concert to raise funds for their home. Enter Jean, Reggie’s ex and the fourth, most famous member of the former quartet, and it’s not long until long-buried grievances rise to the surface, rivalries resume, and plans begin to fall apart.
film mon 3 jun 4.30pm €8/6.50 Dur: 118 mins
No (15A) In 1988, Chilean military dictator Augusto Pinochet is forced to call a plebiscite on his presidency due to international pressure. The country will vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to Pinochet extending his rule for another eight years. Opposition leaders for ‘no’ persuade a brash young advertising executive, René Saavedra, to spearhead their campaign. Against all odds, with scant resources and under scrutiny by the despot’s minions, Saavedra and his team devise an audacious plan to win the election and set Chile free.
mermaidartscentre.ie 15 01 272 4030
theatre Wed 5 & Thu 6 Jun 8pm €18/16 3 for €33/4 for €40
I F Alice F I Alice and Alice are coming out. Finally. Two exceptional, opinionated women were spotted winking at each other in Crumlin Shopping Centre. Now they’re in a show…reluctantly. Defying stereotype, they’re here to share with you something they’ve never dared to before. A fresh, human and hilarious piece, I F Alice F I explores the monumental journey of a most unlikely couple. HotForTheatre
music Fri 7 Jun 8pm €16/14 3 for €33/4 for €40
David O'Rourke & Dublin Jazz Orchestra A Prophet in His Own Land
Guitarist, David O’Rourke left Ireland in 1989, in pursuit of a dream and became a part of New York’s jazz scene. He joins the Dublin City Jazz Orchestra to enable his new compositions and arrangements to be performed for Irish audiences. The DCJO were last in the Mermaid in November 2010 and warmly received by a welcoming audience. Tour sponsored by The Arts Council Touring Scheme.
16
music Sat 8 Jun 8pm €16/14 3 for €33/4 for €40
L au The warmth and excitement Lau generate with each new release, and at every live gig, has culminated in armfuls of plaudits, including three consecutive years of being crowned Best Group at the BBC Radio Two Folk Awards from 2008 to 2010 and Best Live Act in the Scots Trad Music Awards 2009. Lau have played at some of the foremost festivals and venues in the UK and Europe, including Glastonbury Festival, WOMAD and Celtic Connections. A highlight of this season at Mermaid, be sure to book early to avoid disappointment! 'Quite frankly, the best band in the world right now' Channel 4
local arts Sun 9 Jun 3pm & 7pm €10
Encorps Stage School Annual Show Encorps Stage School celebrates its 10th anniversary having been established by Niamh & Cliona O'Brien in 2003 where the aim is to provide classes to children and adults that not only offer a fun and friendly environment, but where students can pursue their dreams. The performances in Mermaid will showcase the talents of the Encorps classes in Blackrock and Dundrum/Ballinteer. This year's show includes routines from Dirty Dancing, 13 The Musical, Cheryl Cole, The Script, Bruno Mars, Disney and Nicki Minaj.
mermaidartscentre.ie 17 01 272 4030
film Mon 10 Jun 8pm €8/6.50 Dur: 83 mins
Jiro Dreams of Sushi (G) An appetising documentary in every sense, Jiro Dreams of Sushi follows 85-year old master sushi chef Jiro Ono, owner of the esteemed 10 seat, $300 – a – plate Sukiyabashi Jiro restaurant in Tokyo. From the intricacies of the tuna auction to the right way to massage an octopus, director David Gelb profiles the craft with style and detail, paying homage to the process of preparing the artisan sushi that earned Jiro an elite three Michelin stars. Language: Japanese with English subtitles
visual arts/ children Wed 12 Jun 3pm €5
Children’s Flipbook Workshop Learn how to plan and create a short flipbook in this advanced form of cameraless animation. Facilitated by animator and educator Éimhín McNamara. Primary Schools’ workshops are also available on the same date: please contact the box office for more details. Suitability: 7 – 11 yrs / Duration – 90 min
18
music Thu 13 Jun 8pm €20/18
Scullion Regular Mermaid favourites Scullion continue to be one of the most innovative forces in Irish music today. After three decades, their signature sound is as strong as ever, maturing like a good wine, gaining depth and clarity. The voices of Sonny Condell and Philip King have taken on a seamless harmony, pinioned by the bravura guitar playing of Robbie Overson, who has ably filled the role of founding member Greg Boland. Their new album ‘Long Wave’ is another example of their eclectic melding of various styles while retaining a trad core. Their back catalog include the anthems, ‘Down In the City’, ‘Eyelids into Snow’ ‘Carol’ and ‘John the Baptist’.
film / Visual arts Sat 15 Jun 2pm €5 Dur: 75 mins
Wittgenstein, 1993 (12) Wittgenstein is a bold offbeat biography of philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, personalised by director Derek Jarman's unique style to address the politics and sexuality of the great but troubled man. The result is no dry treatise, but a treat for eyes and mind alike. This screening is part of the visual arts project 'I Won't Say I Will See You Tomorrow' curated by Aoife Tunney.
mermaidartscentre.ie 19 01 272 4030
music off-site Sat 15 Jun 8pm €20/18
NSO & Choirs Beethoven: Symphony no.9
Shoreline Leisure Centre, Greystones
Enjoy one of the most joyous and uplifting works of classical music – Symphony No. 9 (Choral) by Beethoven with the choral finale “Ode to Joy” in a massive 200-piece performance by the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and Bray Choral Society, Wicklow Choral Society and others. Vocal soloists include Miriam Murphy (soprano), Imelda Drumm (mezzo) and Manfred Hemm (bass), conducted by Fergus Sheil. This off-site performance is presented by Wide Open Music.
film / Children sun 16 Jun 2pm €5 Dur: 98 mins
The Croods (G) When their cave is destroyed, the Stone Age Croods family must find a new home in a strange and unpredictable world. Mother Nature is in her experimental phase; busily creating unusual beasts and planning the continents. What will these survivors of prehistory learn on their journey to the unknown? In a world full of challenges, everyone must overcome their fears. They discover that each family member already has all they need to survive – each other.
20
FILM Sun 16 Jun @ 4.30pm & Tue 25 Jun @ 2.30pm €5 Dur: 93 mins
Song For Marion (15A) Arthur is a grouchy old man who struggles with any form of emotional expression. His terminally-ill wife Marion is embracing life to the last and is an enthusiastic member of a contemporary choir. Arthur fearfully opposes Marion’s participation in the group and dismisses their son who is struggling to come to terms with his mother’s condition. The bubbly, perceptive and endlessly determined Elizabeth detects that Arthur is suppressing more than just his feelings and gradually unlocks his true voice.
FILM Mon 17 Jun 8pm €8/6.50 Dur: 109 mins
Lore (15A) Cate Shortland offers a unique perspective on the nature of collusion with this story of a young German girl who, at the end of WWII, leads her siblings through a devastated and defeated nation. Shortland’s attention to detail and the beauty of the imagery she creates in her account of a national psyche brainwashed to believe in their own supremacy, only to confront the horror that resulted, is filled with brilliance and surprise. Language: German with English subtitles
mermaidartscentre.ie 21 01 272 4030
local arts Thu 20 Jun @ 8pm Fri 21 Jun @ 12.45pm & 8pm €15/10
Bray Lakers With over 70 performers, enjoy Music and Movement with our drummers, dancers and singers. Enjoy the routines of our hip hoppers; be uplifted by the rhythms of our drummers; watch out for our younger members in the opening number and move over One Direction as our singers show you how it is really done! In part 2, Blue is the story of Joanna and David, who have just broken up. They go on a journey of self-discovery – Joanna to find out what she wants in life; David to forget what has happened. He has a strange adventure which brings him back to his girlfriend a changed man!
theatre Sat 22 Jun 8pm €16/14 3 for €33/4 for €40
Solpadeine is my Boyfriend Solpadeine is my Boyfriend is about a new Irish generation. They were promised everything; a life of financial stability and job security but they now find themselves queuing either at the airport to emigrate or the social welfare office to sign on. They feel entitled not to experience depression, economic or personal, and the availability of over-the-counter medication allows them to numb both. The show received rave reviews and extensive interest from around Ireland and abroad and was nominated for 2 ABSOLUT Fringe Awards in Dublin 2012. Written & Performed by Stefanie Preissner / Directed by Gina Moxley
22
FILM Mon 24 Jun 8pm €8.50/7 Dur: 76 mins
Caesar Must Die (CLUB) Paolo and Vittorio Taviani’s film deftly melds narrative and documentary in a transcendently powerful drama-within-a-drama. The film is set in Rome’s Rebibbia Prison, where the prisoners are preparing to stage Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. The prisoners begin exploring the text, finding in its tale of fraternity, power and betrayal parallels to their own lives. As we witness the rehearsals, we see the inmates also work through their own conflicts, both internal and between each other. Language: Italian with English subtitles
theatre Fri 28 Jun 8pm €10
Guaranteed! A documentary play about the bank guarantee. On the night of September 29, 2008, the Taoiseach and Minister for Finance decided to guarantee Ireland’s banks – to the tune of €440 billion. Guaranteed! tells the story of that night, and how they got there. Written by journalist and documentary-maker Colin Murphy, and based on official documents and off-the-record interviews, Guaranteed! reconstructs Ireland’s banking boom and bust – as it was seen from inside the corridors of power. You will come away informed, enraged and perhaps a little heart-broken. Fishamble: The New Play Company A Members’ Selected Show
mermaidartscentre.ie 23 01 272 4030
music Sat 29 Jun 2pm €10
Music Makers’ Summer Rock Spectacular! The students of Music Makers’ Academy Dun Laoghaire present an afternoon of non-stop rockin’, showcasing their skills on guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, ukulele and vocals in a concert guaranteed to have you dancing in your seat. Performing songs from rock, blues, funk, indie, R&B and pop, Music Makers’ Academy is proud to showcase Ireland’s stars of tomorrow! All are welcome. www.academymm.com
music Sat 29 Jun 8pm €16/14 3 for €33/4 for €40
Carmel McCreagh Carmel McCreagh performs songs by Johnny Mercer from her new album, Skylark, and other songs from the Great American Songbook. Johnny Mercer’s songs have been a backdrop to Carmel’s life since childhood. He was one of the major contributors to the Great American Songbook and co-founded Capitol Records and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. On Skylark, Carmel has chosen Mercer songs that are familiar, but also include some less well-known songs, such as Drinking Again, Empty Tables and The Long Goodbye.
24
film / children Sun 30 Jun 2pm €5 Dur: 104 mins
The Odd Life of Timothy Green (G) Academy Award nominated director/writer Peter Hedges brings enchantment to the screen with this inspiring, magical story about a happily married couple, Cindy and Jim Green who can’t wait to start a family but can only dream about what their child would be like. When young Timothy shows up on their doorstep one stormy night, Cindy and Jim - and their small town of Stanleyville - learn that sometimes the unexpected can bring some of life's greatest gifts.
film Sun 30 Jun 4.30pm €5 Dur: 89 mins
Robot & Frank (12A) Frank is a retired burglar, a second-story man ready to hang it up at 70. His children don’t know what to do with him, his parental neglect extended to two prison stints. Enter Robot, a talking machine that will keep the old-timer in line (or so Frank’s kids think!) After a few days of Robot’s lectures on diet and exercise, Frank gets his own idea to enlist Robot in a new robbery scheme. There’s bracing humour, a dash of heartbreak, and many surprises.
mermaidartscentre.ie 25 01 272 4030
film Mon 1 Jul 8pm €8.50/7 Dur: 127 mins
I Wish (CLUB) The original Japanese title is Kiseki, or “Miracle”, and a miracle is being longed for by two 10 year old brothers whose parents have split. The warring parents have taken a child each: withdrawn, thoughtful Koichi has gone to his mother; easygoing and smiley Ryu has gone to live with his dad. The brothers hear that two newly built bullet train lines create a supernatural energy at the point where the trains whoosh past each other. If the boys can just contrive to skive off school and make a wish at this focal point, their happiness can be restored. Language: Japanese with English subtitles
music Sat 6 Jul 8pm €18/16
Juliet Turner Juliet Turner’s albums include Let’s Hear it for Pizza, Burn the Black Suit and Season of the Hurricane. Her 2008 release People Have Names was described by Hot Press as ‘a serious contender for album of the year’ and she will be releasing a new collection of songs this year. Turner has won ‘Best Newcomer in Music’ from the Irish Post newspaper and was awarded the 2005 Meteor Music Award for best Irish female performer.
See poet’s note, P.40
Blue Poles
After Jackson Pollock
Freedom is a prison for the representative savant addled on bath-tub gin and with retinas inflamed from too long staring into the Arizona sun or into red dirt which acknowledges no master but the attrition of desert winds and melt-water. Is that why you cast such desperate lariats across space, repeatedly anticipating the fall into disillusion; the sine wave skewered by the oscilloscope, the mirror’s hairline fracture? The West was won and there was nowhere left to go so you vanished into a dream of perpetual motion knowing that once to touch the surface was to break the spell, but that while the colours hung on the air an instant, there was no such thing as the pushy midwife, the veiled mother in the photograph, the rich woman’s bleated blandishments. Tracing the drunken white line at midnight on the highway, you were too far gone to contemplate return, like Crowhurst aboard the Electron; not meaning to go to sea, but drawing about you such a field of force that there was nothing left to do but plant blue poles amongst the spindrift and iron filings and step, clutching your brass chronometer, clean off the deck and into the sky’s transparency where a lens rose to meet you like a terrifying eye. Caitriona O’Reilly
28
film Mon 8 Jul @ 8pm Tue 9 Jul @ 2.30pm €8/6.50/5 Dur: 116 mins
Love Is All You Need (15A) In a standard romantic comedy, the way in which Philip, a widower/ workaholic fruit-and-veg mogul, and Ida, a cancer survivor weathering her husband’s infidelity, first meet after a fender-bender at the airport, might be construed as a "meet cute." However, Oscar-winning director Susanne Bier aspires to something more sophisticated. As these strangers jet off to Sorrento for the wedding of his son and her daughter, they tumble into a charming drama containing character dynamics and meticulous plot construction. Language: Danish with English subtitles
music Sat 13 Jul 8pm €18/16 3 for €33/4 for €40
Beginish When four of Ireland’s top traditional musicians of the calibre of Brendan Begley (vocals, accordion), Paul McGrattan (flute), Noel O’Grady (bouzouki) and Gavin Ralston come together, you are in for something very special and that’s exactly what you get with ‘Beginish’. Their combined talents provide for a vibrant and exciting live show of music and song. 2013 sees the band reform and for this concert they will be joined by the wonderful Donegal singer Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill. The concert gathers together in one place a potent ensemble, composed of some of the most significant musical talent in Ireland today.
mermaidartscentre.ie 29 01 272 4030
film Mon 15 Jul 8pm €8.50/7 Dur: 105 mins
In the House (CLUB) Weary literature teacher Germain finds himself enlivened by talented student Claude, who infiltrates the middle-class family of a classmate for a writing assignment. Germain and his art curator wife are soon transfixed; critically examining what might be a genius work of naturalism, a class satire, or something else entirely. Director Francois Ozon takes inspiration from Spanish playwright Juan Mayorga’s The Boy in the Last Row for a scintillating thriller about story-telling. Language: French with English subtitles
children/ workshop MON 15 Jul Fri 19 jul 10AM - 2PM Concert FRI 2.30PM €100
Junior Songschool Join the team from Songschool for a week of music making, songwriting, recording, performing and more. Ideal for 8 - 12 year olds who want to create songs, explore soundscapes and invent soundtracks. You don't have to play an instrument to take part in the workshop and all music lovers are welcome. The workshop will conclude with a showcase concert for friends and family. Ages 8 - 12
30
music Wed 17 Jul 8pm €12
The Diamond Family Join the renowned Diamond family (Dermy, Tara, Danny and Helen) and friends for a great evening of Irish music. Fiddler Dermy Diamond learned his early music from local players in Belfast, Antrim and Down, including Andy Dickson and Gerry McCartney. Tara is one of a group of accomplished flute players who emerged from the greater Belfast area in the late 1970’s, and is renowned for the tone and smoothness of her playing. Danny is an accomplished fiddler, while Helen began singing and playing the fiddle at an early age, performing in Europe, the USA and Ireland. With talent to burn, the Diamonds will give a great night’s music and entertainment. Don’t miss it.
mermaidartscentre.ie 31 01 272 4030
theatre Fri 19 & Sat 20 Jul 8pm €18/16
These Halcyon Days Seán sits alone in a nursing-home, abandoned to his memories, when in storms Patricia, a feisty woman with a zest for life and handsome men in wheelchairs. This wonderfully funny, lifeaffirming play by the writer of Moment and Bogboy is infused with Deirdre Kinahan’s hallmark humour and humanity. Nominated for Best New Play, Irish Times Theatre Awards for 2012, it features remarkable performances from two of Ireland’s leading actors, Anita Reeves and Stephen Brennan. First produced by Tall Tales Theatre Company and Solstice Arts Centre, These Halcyon Days is a glorious celebration of the human spirit against the odds. Landmark Productions
FILM Mon 22 Jul @ 8pm Tues 23 Jul @ 2.30pm €8/6.50/5 Dur: 102 mins
Good Vibrations
(15A)
A chronicle of how one chancer/record-shop owner, Terri Hooley, was an instrumental player in bringing the punk movement to Belfast. Terri grew up in Belfast and decided to open his hub for music buffs, Good Vibrations, in Gt Victoria Street, one of the most bombed streets in Belfast during the Troubles. It’s this simmering sense of dread and conflict which gives ‘Good Vibrations’ its edge, and allows its many moments of uplift to shine that much brighter.
32
music Sat 27 Jul 8pm â‚Ź20/18
Mundy Irish singer/songwriter Mundy is one of a number of artists to successfully make the transition from street busking in Dublin to international stardom. Mundy's mainly acoustic, folk-based pop/rock style is upbeat and celebratory, and his jangle pop influence experiments with unconventional sonic textures and beats. Mundy has toured internationally, including support slots with Bob Dylan and Neil Young. He also founded his own record label, has had hit songs featured in films and more recently, he performed for President Obama.
film Mon 29 Jul 8pm â‚Ź8/6.50 Dur: 140 mins
The Place Beyond the Pines (15A) Luke is a motorcycle stunt rider working for a travelling circus and happy to drift from town to town, free of commitments or restrictions. When he discovers that he has a baby son, he takes the responsibility seriously. Robbing banks is his means of family support, but that soon puts him at odds with an ambitious cop with an idealistic belief in justice. Both men must address the sins of the past in a powerful American epic.
mermaidartscentre.ie 33 01 272 4030
FILM Mon 5 Aug 8pm €8.50/7 Dur: 95 mins
The Gatekeepers (CLUB) The brutal recent history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is rivetingly recounted by some of its most prominent players in The Gatekeepers. Granted an extraordinary level of access to six former heads of Israel’s Shin Bet counter-terrorism agency, first-time documaker Dror Moreh achieves a powerful and remarkably clear-eyed assessment of how state-sanctioned violence, whether pre-emptive or retaliatory, has exacted a crippling toll on the region. Language: English & Hebrew with English subtitles
MUSIC SAT 10 Aug 8pm €15 /10
Blind Yackety Blind Yackety is a constantly evolving eight-piece band, incorporating many influences, from 1950s lounge pop to psychedelic Arabic soul music, to Ennio Morricone’s film scores. Their sound is spun with multi-layered vocal harmonies, tropical rhythms and spidery guitar. After a busy year of gigs and festivals in Ireland and the UK, Blind Yackety released their debut album, Fences and Furnaces, last November. The band are ably supported by Bray locals Wyvern Lingo.
34
FILM Mon 12 Aug 8pm €8.50/7 Dur: 116 mins
Reality (CLUB) The new film from Gomorrah director Matteo Garrone, is a comedy drama satirising reality television. Luciano is a Neapolitan fishmonger who supplements his modest income by pulling off little scams together with his wife Maria. A likeable, entertaining guy, Luciano never misses an opportunity to perform for his customers and countless relatives. One day his family urge him to try out for Big Brother. In chasing this dream his perception of reality begins to change. Convinced that he is assured a place on the next series, Luciano starts to behave as if he is already part of the television spectacle, alienating those closest to him in his madcap pursuit of fame. Remember the mantra: Never give up! Language: Italian with English subtitles
FILM Mon 19 Aug 8pm €8.50/7 Dur: 128 mins
The Reluctant
Fundamentalist (CLUB) Mira Nair’s timely new film is a gripping thriller that explores the cultural divide between East and West post 9/11. Changez and Bobby meet in a Lahori teahouse, where the young Pakistani professor tells the American journalist his story. He recounts his pursuit of success on Wall Street and the path that led him back to his native Pakistan when his American dream began to crumble after 9/11. Eventually, the hidden agenda of the meeting is revealed.
mermaidartscentre.ie 35 01 272 4030
MUSIC SAT 24 Aug 8pm €16/14 3 for €33/4 for €40
The Henry Girls The Henry Girls are the latest talent from Inishowen, Donegal, an area rich in musical tradition, to cast their musical spell over audiences in Ireland and beyond. Subtle and enchanting, their haunting and melodious harmonies are transporting and this first visit from Karen, Lorna and Joleen McLaughlin to Mermaid Arts Centre promises to be something very special.
FILM Mon 26 Aug 8pm €8.50/7 Dur: 111 mins
Populaire
(CLUB)
This sparkling romantic comedy matches Gallic savoir faire with vintage Hollywood style. The retro look of Mad Men and the glossy allure of a Doris Day/Rock Hudson tussle are among the influences on this beautifully crafted first feature from Régis Roinsard, the director of dazzling music videos and award-winning short films. Packed with period colour, Populaire is a delight and the fantastic soundtrack is the icing on a very special cake. Language: French with English subtitles
36
18 APR – 13 jun Launch 18 APR @ 6PM 10am – 6pm (later on show nights)
Open Exhibition 2013 For the first time since 2008, Mermaid is delighted to have invited submissions from artists who are living in, working in or originally from County Wicklow for an open exhibition in all visual art practices, including all 2D and 3D work, craft, video and audio works. The exhibition has been selected by Patrick T. Murphy, Director of the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin. Mermaid Arts Centre will present €1,000 to the overall winner and two runners-up prizes of €250 each. All are welcome to the launch on Thursday 18 April at 6pm.
37
20 jun – 29 Aug 10am – 6pm (later on show nights)
Mirjam Siefert Food For Swans brings together a series of photographs made over the past three years in and around the Bray Head Inn located on Bray’s Victorian promenade. These photographs were made over the past three years during the artist’s regular visits to Wicklow. 'My photographs are not a detailed account or a document of the daily life of the Bray Head Inn, they are a series of vignettes, which reveal the Bray Head Inn exactly as I encountered and experienced it: as this incredible jewel of the past, somewhat lost in time, yet very much alive and thriving with a spectacular collection of unique personalities who all appeared at the right time during each of my stays there.' Mirjam Siefert studied photography at Fotografie am Schiffbauerdamm with Prof. Arno Fischer. Her photographs have been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions around the world and several of her works have been published in books.
Vote & D onate ! Congratulations to IADT students Jennifer Ward, John Reynolds and Elaine Smyth Harper whose automaton donation boxes were shortlisted to be placed in Mermaid’s foyer after the Bray Night and Day exhibition concluded in Mermaid’s Gallery. The three donation boxes now compete for the winning slot! Come in to Mermaid’s foyer and give all three a try and vote with your coins! The automaton that receives the most donations over the coming months will be deemed the overall winner. Congratulations to all participants in the Bray, Night & Day exhibition. All of the automaton pieces were delightful and well received by all visitors to Mermaid’s Gallery.
40
Creative Team Tom Hughes - Designer Tom Hughes is a graphic and motion designer from Belfast, who studied at Belfast Art College. He has provided identities for Bray's Arcadia Festival and Belfast's Household Festival. Having spent many summers with his grandmother in Dalkey, the Dart journey to Bray never fails to inspire. He also plays cello with the band The Lowly Knights. hughestom.com
Kate Brangan - Illustrator Kate Brangan is a freelance illustrator and graphic designer. She grew up in Dublin and attended IADT, Dún Laoghaire until 2005. She has worked in Dublin-based design agencies for the past seven years and is currently studying for a Master’s degree in Communication Design at Central Saint Martins, London. Kate’s illustration work for Mermaid has been greatly inspired by the beauty of the Bray and Wicklow landscapes. Finely detailed, it treads the line between organic and architectural forms. katebrangan.com.
Caitriona O'Reilly - Poet-in-Residence Caitriona O’Reilly grew up in Wicklow Town and was educated at Dominican College, Wicklow and at Trinity College, Dublin, where she completed a doctorate in literature. She has published two collections of poetry with Bloodaxe Books, The Nowhere Birds (2001) which was awarded the Rooney Prize in Irish Literature, and The Sea Cabinet, (2006) which was shortlisted for the Irish Times Poetry Prize. She is also a widely-published critic and is a former editor of Poetry Ireland Review. She lives in Lincolnshire. ‘Blue Poles’ was inspired by details from the lives of the American artist Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) and the English yachtsman Donald Crowhurst (1932-1969), who was lost at sea in controversial circumstances during the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race in 1969. The final section of the poem uses imagery from both men’s biographies, in Pollock’s case referring specifically to the notorious photo shoot with Hans Namuth which took place in the early 1950s during which Namuth filmed upwards through a sheet of perspex onto which Pollock applied paint.
41
Thank Yous A big thank you to all the people who help make things at Mermaid go swimmingly:
Mermaid Staff Alan Byrne - Fiona Carey - Marian Carroll Stephanie Casey - Katie Davenport - Aoife Demel Fionnuala Downes - Eoin Fegan - Siobhan Gallagher John Galligan - Hannah Golden - Nora Hickey Jane Horner - Maureen Kennelly - Sophie Keogh Eilis Lavelle - Asia Lupo - Dermot Marrey Emmet McSwiney - Eoin Murphy Ruth O’Hagan - Aisling Ryan
The Mermaid Board of Directors Dave, Paula and the whole team at Betelnut Cafe All Mermaid Live 10 Album supporters Big Garden Sound Tom Hughes Kate Brangan Caitriona O'Reilly
All our local funders, arts partners and friends of Mermaid
And most importantly‌ our brilliant patrons thanks for all your support and enthusiasm
42
Funded By
Mermaid Project Sponsor
More Thank Yous... We would also like to thank all of our Friends of Mermaid, including the following Corporate Friends: Bray Tourism Bray Wanderers CRH Plc Dargle Valley Nursing Home Frank Duff Lounge Bar Key Plastics Liam O’Brien
Level 1 - €60+
•••• •• ••
1 free ticket per season to a Members’ Selected Show Unlimited €11 tickets to shows on the Mermaid Seasonal Menu list* Mermaid Recommends - an exclusive offer for a local business each season 10% off at Betelnut Café
Level 2 - €120+
•••• •••• •••• ••
2 free tickets per season to a Members’ Selected Show Unlimited €11 tickets for events in the Mermaid Seasonal Menu list* Concession rate on all film screenings Mermaid Recommends - local deal for Mermaid members every season 10% off at Betelnut Café Mermaid perks and surprises throughout the year (e.g. last minute €5 tickets for select shows, competitions, etc.) Complimentary copy of Mermaid Live Album
Level 3 - €350+
•••• •• •••• •• ••
4 free tickets per season to a Members’ Selected Show Unlimited €11 tickets for events in the Mermaid Seasonal Menu list* Mermaid Recommends - local deal for Mermaid members every season 10% off at Betelnut Café Unlimited concession rates for all shows (where available) Mermaid Surprises throughout the year (e.g. last minute €5 tickets for select shows, competitions, etc.) Complimentary copy of the Mermaid Live album
Level 4 - €1000+
••
All of the above perks along with tailor-made promotion and partnership opportunities to meet your needs
*Restrictions may apply
Ahoy Mermaid friends and supporters! We have relaunched our friends programme as the new and improved Mermaid Membership club. Mermaid needs your help and support now more than ever so we’ve come up with a plan that offers you more. We will still have lots of the perks and benefits which our friends enjoyed previously but we’ve added some special extras to help you get the most from your arts centre. We have been incredibly lucky with the support and loyalty of our patrons over the last ten years and now we need your help to ensure we can continue to host the best of local, national and international artists on your doorstep. Mermaid is a registered charity and as such tax relief is available on donations of ₏250 or more in any one tax year from both individual and corporate donors.
May - Jun Mon 6 May
The Sessions, 8pm
Wed 8 May
Action Arts, 7.30pm
Thu 9 May
Action Arts, 7.30pm
Fri 10 May
Action Arts, 7.30pm
Sat 11 May
Action Arts, 7pm
Sun 12 May
Action Arts, 7.30pm
Mon 13 May Searching For Sugar Man, 8pm Tue 14 May
The Sapphires, 2.30pm
Thu 16 May Colm O’Regan & Mary O’Rourke, 8pm Fri 17 May
Wicklow Male Voice Choir, 8pm
Sat 18 May
National Drawing Day Workshop, 2pm
Sat 18 May
The New Triangle, 8pm
Sun 19 May
One Day More! 4pm & 8pm
Mon 20 May Lincoln, 8pm Wed 22 May Shortlist Showcase, 8pm Thu 23 May Bray Music Centre, 8pm Fri 24 May
Oliver Reed – Wild Thing, 8pm
Sat 25 May
Finbar Furey, 8pm
Sun 26 May
Dance Magic, 4pm & 7pm
Mon 27 May Pilgrim Hill, 8pm Thu 30 May The Magic of the Musicals, 7.30pm Fri 31 May
The Magic of the Musicals, 7.30pm
Sat 1 Jun
The Magic of the Musicals, 7.30pm
Sun 2 Jun
Wreck-It-Ralph, 2pm
Sun 2 Jun
Quartet, 4.30pm
Mon 3 Jun
No, 4.30pm
Film
Music
Theatre
Local Arts
Dance
Children
Jun - Jul Wed 5 Jun
I F Alice F I, 8pm
Thu 6 Jun
I F Alice F I, 8pm
Fri 7 Jun
David O’Rourke & DJO, 8pm
Sat 8 Jun
Lau, 8pm
Sun 9 Jun
Encorps Stage School, 3pm & 7pm
Mon 10 Jun
Jiro Dreams of Sushi, 8pm
Tue 11 Jun
Lincoln, 2.30pm
Wed 12 Jun
Children’s Flipbook Workshop, 3pm
Thu 13 Jun
Scullion, 8pm
Sat 15 Jun
Wittgenstein, 1993, 2pm
Sat 15 Jun
NSO & Choirs, 8pm
Sun 16 Jun
The Croods, 2pm
Sun 16 Jun
Song for Marion, 4.30pm
Mon 17 Jun
Lore, 8pm
Thu 20 Jun
Bray Lakers, 8pm
Fri 21 Jun
Bray Lakers, 12.45pm & 8pm
Sat 22 Jun
Solpadeine is My Boyfriend
Mon 24 Jun
Caesar Must Die, 8pm
Tue 25 Jun
Song for Marion, 2.30pm
Fri 28 Jun
Guaranteed! 8pm
Sat 29 Jun
Music Makers’ Spectacular, 2pm
Sat 29 Jun
Carmel McCreagh, 8pm
Sun 30 Jun
The Odd Life of Timothy Green, 2pm
Sun 30 Jun
Robot & Frank, 4.30pm
Mon 1 Jul
I Wish, 8pm
Sat 6 Jul
Juliet Turner, 8pm
Comedy
Workshop
Opera
Visual Arts
Literature
Jul - Aug Mon 8 Jul
Love Is All You Need, 8pm
Tue 9 Jul
Love Is All You Need, 2.30pm
Sat 13 Jul
Beginish, 8pm
Mon 15 Jul
In The House, 8pm
Mon 15 Jul
Junior Songschool, 10am-2pm
Tue 16 Jul
Junior Songschool, 10am-2pm
Wed 17 Jul
Junior Songschool, 10am-2pm
Wed 17 Jul
The Diamond Family, 8pm
Thu 18 Jul
Junior Songschool, 10am-2pm
Fri 19 Jul
Junior Songschool, 10am-2pm
Fri 19 Jul
These Halycon Days, 8pm
Sat 20 Jul
These Halycon Days, 8pm
Mon 22 Jul
Good Vibrations, 8pm
Tue 23 Jul
Good Vibrations, 2.30pm
Sat 27 Jul
Mundy, 8pm
Mon 29 Jul
The Place Beyond the Pines, 8pm
Mon 5 Aug
The Gatekeepers, 8pm
Sat 10 Aug
Blind Yackety, 8pm
Mon 12 Aug Reality, 8pm Mon 19 Aug The Reluctant Fundamentalist, 8pm Sat 24 Aug
The Henry Girls, 8pm
Mon 26 Aug Populaire, 8pm
Gallery Thu 18 Apr Open Exhibition 2013 Thu 13 Jun Thu 20 Jun Mirjam Siefert Thu 29 Aug
We have full disabled access, please let box office know of any special requirements when booking.
Film Club Information 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 need to operate as a film club. This nominal fee has been integrated into the ticket price for all CLUB films. Everyone is welcome to attend CLUB films. You will find Mermaid Arts Centre in the civic offices complex at the top of Bray Main Street, before the Bank of Ireland. To get to Mermaid from the N11 Northbound, you exit at Bray South, where you’ll see signs for Bray leading to the Killarney Road. You can follow this road to Main Street. To get to Mermaid from the N11 Southbound, you exit at Bray North, following signs for Bray onto the Dublin Road. Cross over the Dargle Bridge and you will be on Main Street. Bus Routes: 145, 184, 45A, 84/a, 84N The DART/train station is a 10 minute walk from Mermaid. To Dublin
M11 & N11
Royal Hotel
Dargle Bridge
h Road
ug Quinsboro
Ro
Florence Road
Mai n
Stre et
rt
rbe He
ad
Novara Avenu
e
Mermaid
Parnell Road
Kil
larn
To South
M11 & N11
oad ay R Vev
ey R oad
Bank of Ireland
Town Hall
To Dart
Bray Town Council
Free underground car-parking is available for Mermaid patrons for the duration of shows in the evenings and at weekends. This is located under the Civic Offices complex beside Mermaid. A private pay and display car park is available weekdays and is located in the grounds of the complex.
mermaidartscentre.ie