Members Of Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair are currently brushing up on their lines for their upcoming production of “An Solas Dearg ” in An Grianán on Friday 18th July.
The play was performed to packed house in the GAA Clubhouse, Gaoth Dobhair duiring the Easter Holidays to great acclaim.
A two act play, written by Antoine Ó Flatharta, a playwright whose work has been produced at the Peacock Theatre, Project Arts Centre, The Taibhdhearc, and by the Dublin Theatre Festival.
He was writer in residence with Team Theatre Company in 1989-1990.
He has written radio and television plays for RTE and BBC.
This play was first produced by the Abbey Theatre in 1995, directed by Deirdre Friel.
It is one of the few newly written plays in Irish to be produced by the Abbey in the last 20 years.
This play was originally set in Connemara in the age of telecommunications and deals with the implications of the burgeoning communications industry on a rural community.
It has been adapted for the local audience in the Donegal dialect by Sean Ó Maolagain, a long time member of Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair
One of a few Irish language theatre producers, Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair was founded in 1931.
Because of a lack of Irish language plays they wrote and translated plays to suit the Irish speaking audience.
Their first performance was in Derrybeg Hall on the 10/01/1932.
They travelled extensively with their productions, even as far as Scotland, in the years 1932 to 1961.
Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair opened on the 03/09/1961 and the Aisteoirí produced many plays there over the years.
Many of Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair’s members have appeared on Tg4 over the years in programs such as CU Burn, Gleann Ceo, FFC, Rós na Rún,, Rasaí na Gaillimhe, and the upcoming Na Bunnions to name but a few.
The play is directed by Cathal Ó Gallchóir.
This is Cathal’s first outing as director but he has plenty of experience as an actor and has been a member of Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair for many years.
Cathal told Donegal Daily, “I had never directed a play on my own before but I had great support from the rest of the group, and the community in general, and lucky to have an excellent cast and stage crew.
“We had a great reaction to the play when it was staged here in Gaoth Dobhair at Easter, and we also travelled with it to Castlewellan.
“It’s always great though to get the opportunity to perform on a large stage like An Grainán, which Na hAisteoirí have been doing now for a good few years as part of the Errigal Arts.
The cast consists of experienced actors, Sean ÓMaolagain, Bernie Ní Dhuibhir & Máire Uí Rabhartaigh and some new faces, Áine Ní Bhreisleain, Colm Mac Giolla Easpuig & Dónal O Cnáimhsí.
Áine is well known as a reporter for TG4 news and Dónal is no stranger to the stage , performing with Aisteoirí De hÍde and Aisling Ghearr in Belfast, but this is his first production with Aisteoiri Ghaoth Dobhair.
The set is constructed by Sean Ó Duibhir and Manus Ó Domhnaill, long standing members of the Aisteoirí. Suzanne Ní Ghallchóir is taking on the role as assistant director and Cathal has the support and backing of all members of the aisteoirí.
Cathal concluded, “This play is very modern and of a different style but I think people will enjoy it, well, I hope they do.
Tickets available from An Grianán priced €12 (€10 Conc) .
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