An Grianán Theatre and Parrabbola in association with Earagail Arts Festival and Donegal County Arts Office
The Winter’s Tale
by William Shakespeare
July 2019
Directed by Philip Parr
Performance locations:
Ballymacool Town Park & An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny
Greencastle, Donegal & Magilligan, Derry/Londonderry.
Produced by An Grianán Theatre (IRE) and Parrabbola (UK) this large scale, immersive community theatre production crossed the borders, the traditions and the waters of the north west.
This immersive promenade show featured live music, a garden party, food and for our Inishowen performances, a ferry crossing.
Our Letterkenny performances were in An Grianán Theatre (Fri 19 July, moved indoors due to poor weather), Ballymacool Town Park (Sat 20 July) while our Inishowen performances (Tues 23 & Wed 24 July) took place either side of the Foyle with the show including a ferry ride from Greencastle to Magilligan and back.
The Cast
Sicilia
The Royal Family
Leontes, King of Sicilia – David Monteith
Hermione, his Queen, daughter of the Emperor of Russia – Katie Prinsloo
Mamillius, their son, a Prince – Darragh Dunne O’Sullivan
The Court
Camillo, chief of staff to Leontes and his closest friend and adviser – Sean Donegan
Solius, the most senior of the lords and First Minister to the King – Aiden O’Shea
Antigonus, a noble lord, member of the inner cabinet and husband to Paulina – Cathal Stephens
Adamus, a young nobleman, and keeper of the prison – Anthony Redmond
Paulina, a noble lady, friend to Leontes and Hermione and wife to Antigonus – Maggie Hannon
Cleomenes, a noble lady, member of the court and the King’s ambassador – Razan Elnaim
Dion, a noble lady member of the court and the King’s ambassador – Saja Elnaim
In the Palace
Emilia, principal lady in waiting to Hermione – Marie Kelly
Iras, a singer, and lady in waiting – Christiona McGettigan
Samina, nurse to the Prince Mamillius, and a valued member of the Royal household – Laura Dunne
Bohemia
The Royal Family
Polixenes, King of Bohemia, childhood friend of Leontes – Tom Nelis
Florizel, his son, a prince – Jasper Lee Kardos
Narcisa, a noble woman in the Bohemian court and the Kings trusted messenger – Louise McCrossan
Theodora, a noble woman in the Bohemian court, sent as emissary to Sicilia – Triona Burke
Archidamus, captain of the King’s private ship, and a respected member of his entourage – Fionn Robinson
In the country
The Shepherd, an unlearned old man, farming and living simply in a remote rural community – Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhrigdhe
The Clown, his son, an honest but simple man full of hard work and loyalty – Oscar Murtagh
Perdita, a foundling, taken in by the Shepherd and brought up as his daughter and The Clown’s sister – Laramie Carey
Tereza, a country lass who sings very sweetly and prefers making music to making hay – Maryann McDonnell
Autolycus, a rogue – Patrick Quinn
In both countries
The Guides, who lead us through the story, and police Sicilia and Bohemia – Siobhan Coyle, Ciara Cunnane, Nicky Peeters, Guy Le Jeune
The Bohemians Musicians
Fionn Robinson, guitar
Dónall McGinley, fiddle and pipes
Matthew Melia, percussion
Siobhan Shiels, accordion and voice
Stephen Doohan, bouzouki
Liam Wagstaff, bouzouki, mandolin, guitar, voice
The Royal Sicilian Concert Band
The Creative Team
Director: Philip Parr
Producer: Patricia McBride
Additional dialogue and music: Guy Le Jeune
Musical Director: Fionn Robinson
Stage Manager: Jude Barriscale
An Grianán Technical Manager: Niall Cranney
Production Assistant: Annemarie Langan
Prop/Set Design: Brian Hanlon
Prop/Set Builder: Robert Attewell
Prop Assistants: Jasper Kardos, Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhrigdhe, Wenda Jean Campbell
Costume Designer: Joanne Quigley
Costume Coordinator: Annemarie Kilfeather
Costume Assistants – Deirdre McGinley Ramsay, Dorothy Mottram
Photography: David Faughnan
Marketing: Daithi Ramsay, Nicola Burns
Administrators: Helene McMenamin, Laura Ferry
Catering: Yes Chef Catering, Kealy’s Seafood Bar
Thanks to:
Paul Brown, Edel Corcoran (EAF) Phil Dalton, Brian Vaughan, Ian Mannix, Mohamed Hamouda (Bord Iascaigh Mhara), Gerard Kelly, Paul O’Sullivan (Scenic Lough Foyle Ferry), Richard Gillen (Causeway Coast and Glens), Michael Morgan (DAERA NI), David Donnelly (Donegal County Council), Traolach O’Fionnain (Arts Officer), Charlie Robinson, Martin McKinney (Irish Red Cross), Patricia (Kealy’s Seafood Bar), Susan McAleer (Greencastle Community Centre), Kevin Shields. Michael and Andy (Yes Chef), Charlie McConnalogue TD, Eoin Gillespie, Anne McGowan
Production dedicated to the memory of Matt Marks, composer of Daffodils and Autolycus’ Trio.
Shaking the Tale is part of Shaking the Walls, a project co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. The project is led by Gdański Teatr Szekspirowski (Poland), the other partners are Parrabbola (UK), Cooltour Ostrava (Czech Republic) and Ratatam (Iceland). As well as Creative Europe, our co-funders for Shaking the Tale include the Donegal County Council, Arts Council of Ireland and the Earagail Arts Festival.
