November 2013
An Grianán Theatre in association with Making Waves
Based on the novel “CAISLEÁIN ÓIR” by SEAMUS Ó GRIANNA, published by MERCIER PRESS
We presented Caisleáin Óir as our flagship production for The Gathering in 2013 (a tourism initiative aimed at encouraging the Irish diaspora to return to Ireland).
This beautiful musical, in English, is based on the story by the famous Donegal writer, Séamus Ó Grianna. Featuring a cast of 60 performers, at the centre of Caisleain Oir (‘golden castles’) is the love story of childhood sweethearts Séimí Gallagher and Babaí Mháirtín Friel and what happens to them when poverty forces Séimi to emigrate to America. Through music, dance and song, we see the life of Donegal people at the end of the 19th and early 20th century. Hardships, eviction and emigration contrast with playing on the beach, fair days, dances, cards and céilís.
Director PHIL DALTON
Music and Lyrics by LESLIE LONG
Additional Music and Lyrics by KATHLEEN RUDDY
Translated to English by SEAN Ó DUIBHIR and JOSEPH BRENNAN
Initial Research by Packie Boner
Adaptation by LESLIE LONG, KATHLEEN RUDDY and PHIL DALTON
PRODUCTION TEAM
PRODUCER Patricia McBride
COMPOSER, MUSICAL DIRECTOR Leslie Long
DIRECTOR, CHOREOGRAPHER Phil Dalton
ASSISTANT MUSICAL DIRECTOR, VOCAL COACH Kathleen Ruddy
COSTUMES Mary Kelly
STAGE MANAGER Maeve Sweeney
LIGHTING DESIGNER Niall Cranney
IRISH DANCE SEQUENCES choreographed by Nora Kavanagh
SOUND OPERATOR Cathal Boyle
SET CONSTRUCTION Alan McLaughlin
PRINCIPALS
SÉIMÍ Chris McLaughlin
BABAÍ Catriona Doherty
SÉIMÍ ÓG Oisín Nee
BABAÍ ÓG Sophie McCauley
SÉIMÍ (aged 5) Mark Lowry Connelly
SARAH GALLAGHER Michelle Nic Grianna
GRANNY Rachel Akkoç
EAMONN Brendan Horgan
MRS FRIEL Mary Harkin
MÁIRTÍN FRIEL Sean Mac Ruairí
CEARRBHACH John Ruddy
MEABH Maighréad Hanlon
ANNA Caroline Dorrian
PÁDRAIG Ó DÁLAIGH Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde
SIUBHÁN Ríana Lynch
KATHLEEN / BETTY SHEILS Audrey McDaid
SCHOOLMASTER Brian Sweeney
MICHAEL DUBH Niall McDonagh
FATHER O’DONNELL Bill Vaughan
BAILIFF Jim McLaughlin
MÁIRE Winnie Felle
CHILDREN
Alannah Ferry
Meabh Foley
Brendan Horgan
Conor Horgan
Brooke McCauley
Kira Mills
Lydia Neeley
John Quinn
Roise Quinn
Taylor Staritt
Cloadagh Sweeney
Shannen Wilkin
CHORUS
Tomás Barriscale
Emma Rose Callaghan
Hugh Carr
Michael Carroll
Crona Kerr
Rosie McGarvey
Liam Molloy
Róisín Ní Churráin
Ronan O’Donnell
Margery Quinn
Patrick Quinn
Megan Reid
Anita Shovlin
SET DANCERS
Charlie Boyle
Margaret Brennan
Ellen Druce
Eimear Gallagher
Pauline Hunter
Phyllis Loughrey
Seamus Loughrey
Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde
Niall McDonagh
Eddie McFadden
Connie McKelvey
Liam Molloy
Hillary Russell
Sammy Russell
Anita Shovlin
Sophia Strain
FAIR DAY DANCERS
Nora Kavanagh
Eimear Gallagher
Sammy Russell
STAND-IN DANCER
Josie McKelvey
Patrick McNulty
FIDDLE PLAYER IN SCOTTISH SCENE
Robert Peoples
ORCHESTRA
MUSICAL DIRECTOR & KEYBOARDS Leslie Long
ASSISTANT MUSICAL DIRECTOR, VOCAL COACH Kathleen Ruddy
KEYBOARDS, REHEARSAL PIANIST Denise Roper
PAGE TURNER Caitríona Doherty
VIOLIN Robert Peoples
FLUTE Eileen Carr
ACOUSTIC & ELECTRIC GUITARS, DOBRO Lee Curran
BASS Michael Gillespie
DRUMS & PERCUSSION John Doherty
