Thursday, February 19, 2009

Pick of the Week: Positive Dead People


My pick of the week is this two-hander "Positive Dead People" by Pauline Shanahan, and featuring herself and Clodagh O'Donoghue, directed by my old pal and collaborator Paul Meade, at Bewely's Cafe theatre. It's great fun and perfect for that charming space, all to be imbibed with a bit of grub on the side. It's a sort of Huis Clos meets Heaven Can Wait meets The Wedding Planner. Runs until March 14th, at 1pm. Tickets €15 including lunch. www.bewleyscafetheatre.com

& by the way, I don't agree with Peter Crawley's review of Marina Carr's "Marble" in today's paper. No, not at all. I think men often have difficulty getting Marina Carr's plays.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Dublin Culture

There has been an abundance of great stuff on of late here in Dublin:
1. Artist Gary Coyle's fantastic and often hilarious "At Sea" meditation on the 40 foot and
the last decade of his oeuvre at Project Cube. What a pity if you missed that. Might the 'living sculpture' come back ever? www.garycoyle.ie
2. Marina Carr's wonderful new play "Marble" - I loved this and it was only the 2nd preview,
so I recommend you go and see this. She is out of the midlands and into contemporary
urban life - albeit with a big fat unconscious undertow. Brilliant.
3. Jonathan Mitchell's photographic show "still, life", at "Dance House" - 'a photographic exploration of Ireland's Modern Dance Pioneers'. Drop in and see these wonderful, quirky
portraits of some pretty special artists. It's on all year.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Long Quest for Lost Abbey Photographs


The discovery of these lost Abbey School of Ballet photographs (below, previous post), was part of a long quest. First, there was the 2004 RTE Radio Series, "Nice Moves"; then, there was the adjacent letter to the Irish Times, on December 31st, 2004; then there was the discovery of hidden gem, Doreen Cuthbert, and the consequent Irish Times Irishwoman's Diary (also adjacent - click on it to enlarge), about her extraordinary life and contribution, on March 12th, 2005. Then came the publication of "IRISH MOVES" in 2006 - but still no photographs. It wasn't until 2008, as a result of the book being seen by a certain person who shall for the moment remain nameless, that the below SEVEN lost images re-surfaced. Let's hope we'll get to exhibit them for the public very soon, along with broadcasting Doreen's wonderful interview... Getting closer... Keep watching this space!