10 minute read
ARTS DIARY
Kellie Burch
kellie@ulstertatler.com
HIT THE NORTH
The streets of Belfast were once again awash with colour as Hit the North, part of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, returned to town. Now in its 9th year, the street , returned to town. Now in its 9th year, the street art festival, which was organised by Seedhead Arts and and sponsored by Hennessey, saw 50 local, national and international street artists transform the streets of Union Union Street and Kent Street.
As onlookers chilled on seating located throughout the city size canvas, they enjoyed a mood enhancing DJ set as well as a selection of drinks from the Sun ower Bar, as pieces of art developed before their eyes.
My favourite piece from this year’s vibrant offering had to be the futuristic composition by London-based gra fi ti artist Mr Cenz, which adorns the side of a whole , which adorns the side of a whole building on Kent Street. After snapping a few (ok, a lot) of photos of it, I bumped into Ann and Ken from ArtisAnn Gallery. As well as talking about the visual east on display, they fi lled me on an e citing e hibition east on display, they fi lled me on an e citing e hibition coming to their Gallery in October: Looking Back. Thinking Black by Ciarán Harper which is part of Black which is part of Black History Month 2021.
As I continued to wander the streets, I was mesmerised by the breadth and wealth of indisputable talent on display. Danni Simpson, who has been brightening the city with her signature artwork on lectrical o es in the inen uarter, paid homage to her Australian roots during Hit the North with her eye-catching ‘G’day’ mural. Other highlights for me included the red hued portrait by Aches, ‘Right Here, Right Now’ by lana c owell, and the uber positive ‘You Are Enough’ by Micha Purnell and of course the outstanding pieces from Kev Largey (AKA KVLR) and Nuala Convery (AKA Wee Nuls) which were previously live painted at the Hit the North launch event.
Hit the orth, e pertly organised by the innovative and creative Adam Turkington of Seedhead Arts, has become a fi rm avourite in el ast s cultural calendar. The crowd, which was incredibly diverse and inclusive, perfectly illustrated the power of art: it can inspire, unite, and motivate. Most important of all, it can bring colour and hope to streets that have been deserted for too long.
Hit the North took place on 5 September 2021. Janine Walker and Adam Turkington. Skye Bompas and Kate Smeltzer.
Street artists MWAK and Yella G. Mollie McAtarsney, Tommy Blackley, Conor McClure, Andrea Shine, Carsten Quinn, Oisin Mallon and Kerry McClure.
Shane Watters and Ann-Marie Brown.
Ann McVeigh and Ken Bartley. Nigel O’Donoghue and Fabio Brenulato.
Liam Hannaway, Jimmy Fay, Roisin McDonough and Bruce Robinson. Claire Murray with IFA women footballers Danielle McDowell and Jessica Foy.
Bronagh McFeely and Stephen Coulter. Jim Cahill and Stella McCusker. Alan Meban and Jay.
Mark and Alison Carruthers. Lynne Crowther and Pamela Ballantine. The 22nd Ladies F.C. Woodvale football squad.
ROUGH GIRLS
Going into Rough Girls, the debut play penned by Tara Lynn O’Neill, I was told it might be one of the best Lyric Theatre productions yet. It certainly didn’t disappoint. Opening in 1917 it tells the story of a forgotten period of Belfast History: the ormation o the fi rst women s ootball team. s seats fi lled up with visitors such as Mark Carruthers, Stella McCusker, Pamela Ballantine, and several talented emale ootballers, it was immediately obvious we were in for a treat. The staging, which included seating in the midst of the action on stage, was remarkable and multifaceted. As well as setting the scene, elements of the staging were used by the cast in many ways. For example steel structures were used as instruments to help underscore the powerful musical numbers.
As narrator, Tara Lynn O’Neill was superb. She switched personas as easily as she did costumes. Her portrayal of the IFA chairman was genius and really needs to be seen fi rst hand to be appreciated. hroughout the production,in her many guises, she effortlessly commanded the audience’s attention as she guided them on this vibrant journey.
O’Neill’s ability to create complex and relateable characters is outstanding. And, each member of this strong all-female cast, should be commended on their pitch perfect performances. Eloïse Stevenson’s Molly, the team captain, is perplexing: she’s strong and bold but every so o ten we catch glimpses o her deeply hidden vulnerability. Jo Donnelly’s Mrs Stout, meanwhile, is honest and fearless. Her outburst that, “I’m bored of being told what I can’t do” is a rallying cry that would have resounded with women as powerfully a century ago as it still does to this day.
This accomplished - and hilarious - stage debut is shored up by its own remarkable teamwork. Director Kimberley Sykes vision and Musical Director Katie Richardson’s soundscape combine to amplify and support O’Neill’s message: in the face of ine uality and adversity women should not be silent. When women are empowered, and when they help lift each other up, they are unstoppable. ou ust have to look at today s trailblazing Northern Ireland Women’s National Team to see the real impact and remarkable legacy the original team of ‘rough girls’ left for future generations. his world premi re weaved together skilled writing, talented performances, innovative direction and inspirational music to create a ground-breaking, poignant and empowering production - the Lyric Theatre’s return certainly has hit the back of the net.
Rough Girls ran from 9-25 September.
OGHAM GROVE
Culture Night Belfast once again returned this year but with a new look and feel. Rather than pop up exhibitions, performances and activities sprawling the streets in and around the Cathedral Quarter, this year’s offering was centred in one location. For one weekend only, Writers’ Square was transformed into Ogham Grove. The concept for the ambitious structural, lighting and sound installation came from Belfast artist Gawain Morrison and his creative team. Accompanied by a digital trail, Ogham Grove takes its inspiration from the ancient Celtic Ogham Tree Alphabet.
Composed of two monumental sculptures in Writers’ Square, Ogham Grove managed to attract a curious crowd from the offset. The visually impressive Tree Alphabet provided an opportunity to learn about the Ogham characters, their meanings and their tree associations, while the Celtic Ogham ear heel signifi ed the links with our natural environment particularly apt when we have reached a moment in time when the call to action over the climate crisis is critical.
Gawain Morrison explained: “The Ogham Grove offered a unique window into an alternative interpretation of the world around us, highlighting the importance that nature played in the societies of our ancestors, enabling us to reconnect with this heritage in a playful, thought provoking and visually stunning way, at a time when the natural environment and spending time outdoors has never been so important.”
When I visited, the installation was just being unveiled to the public. apturing their fi rst glimpse o this immersive piece o art were ‘The Gourmet Boys’ Brian Haslett and Mark Irvine; Tina Calder of Excalibur Press; and Nathan Emery, Norma Crothers and Keith Murray from Pivotal Film. hilst the ormat o ulture ight el ast has and may remain altered, it s impact was still pro ound. y hosting one central experience as opposed to an open submission programme, Culture Night Belfast was able to offer support to local artists a ter a particularly di fi cult year.
The 2021 edition of Culture Night, which was supported by Belfast City Council, Arts Council for Northern Ireland, Tourism NI, Belfast Harbour Commissioners and Translink, was an amazing feat to behold. As night fell on Writers’ Square the installation really came to life. The lighting in the sculptures worked in unity with the sound to create a pulse of energy which reverberated throughout the space. The weekend attracted scores of people and once again Culture Night succeeded in bringing the people o el ast and urther afi eld together.
Ogham Grove took place 17-19 September 2021. Alexandra Steele, Rebecca Steele and Tina Calder.
Bernie McAllister and Will McConnell.
Nathan Emery, Norma Crothers and Keith Murray.
Brian Haslett and Mark Irvine.
Sharum, Surina and Theresa Nemeti. Beatrice Tinsley and Jade King.
BEST OF THE REST
Derry City is warming up for the sensational return of the City of Derry
International Choir Festival
(CoDICF) when an unrivalled programme of events – including rammy award winners and e clusive global premier per ormances will fi ll halls, churches and homes with world class, choral entertainment. This special festival runs live and virtually rom ctober. Headline acts include the internationally acclaimed all male chorus Chanticleer and award winning vocal ensemble Tenebrae. Pictured celebrating the launch are: members rom award winning erry chamber choir Codetta, CoDICF Artistic Director, Dónal Doherty and cellist Kim Vaughan. For more information: www.derrychoirfest.com his ctober, award winning Tinderbox Theatre Company will premiere Jonathan M. Daley’s thrilling new play Sylvan in site specifi c locations across orthern reland. Sylvan promises to be a nightmarish visual feast with stunning design by Stuart Marshall and eaturing acclaimed local cast Ruby Campbell, Maria Connolly and Seamus O’Hara. Sylvan will be performed live in Forest locations in Belfast and Coleraine over the Halloween holidays and will also premiere as part
Imagine Arts Festival
in Waterford. Sylvan will be directed by award winning riter and Director, Patrick J O’Reilly. For more information, visit:
www.tinderbox.org.uk
Twelve D/deaf, neurodivergent and disabled professional artists based in Northern Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland have produced new fi lm and audio works as part o BBC Arts’ Culture in Quarantine initiative. This initiative aimed to bring exciting, new, digital arts content into people’s homes during lockdown. All works are now available to view on i layer. ictured ( ) is Gilly Campbell, Arts Council of Northern Ireland with Northern Ireland based artists, playwright, Shannon Yee, poet/comedian, Alice McCullough and animator, Joel Simon, who took part in the initiative. Visit www. artscouncil-ni.org for further information.
