In an artist’s studio, shadows talk, objects come alive and she draws her very bones to overcome loss and celebrate love and the cycle of life. The Holding Bones lovingly recalls a host of characters – songsters, storytellers and mischief makers.
A new original piece from Púca for adults The Holding Bones is a fitting celebration of Samhain, All Soul’s and The Day of the Dead. At this time of year, they say, the veil between our world and the next is at its thinnest. Once we would have set an extra place at the table, left the door unlocked and lit a candle for each of our loved lost kin at Halloween and remembered our dearly departed throughout the month of November.
Since 1997, award winning
Púca Puppets have been producing shows for adults and children from Ballymun to Bangkok, in theatres, canals and other ordinary and extraordinary places. In this new show, Lawlor, veteran performer from Púca for nearly 30 years, counts her ancestors on her very bones and brings them back to life on stage. Set in her studio she draws upon her skills as a puppet maker and visual artist to enrich the tale she has to tell, as funny as it is deeply moving. In paying playful homage to her ancestors Niamh Lawlor contemplates the purpose of life. Her life.
Vital theatrical storytelling invites you to meditate on family, memory and rituals of grieving and how to embrace the bittersweet turns of the cycle of life.
This will be among the opening performances of a very personal yet universal show that has been crafted over several years, assisted by support from The Arts Council, dlr County Council, South Dublin Live a South Dublin County Council Arts Office initiative, Pavilion Studio and the Mermaid Arts Centre, Draíocht and Civic Theatres. A work in progress was well received by test audiences who said:
“Outstanding show, brought back so many memories, very emotional, laughed and cried, great”.
“What a beautiful piece…it came from the heart and touched my heart… it hit all the senses”
“Compelling…dancing with life and death and the shadows… Massive round of applause”
“Poetry and Heart and Soul Food”
Writer / Performer Niamh Lawlor
Director Emma Finegan
Production Manager, Stage Management and Operation Aimee Crilly
Lighting Design Colin Doran
Producer Púca Puppets
Created in collaboration with Dramaturg / Director Veronica Coburn; Artist Lian Bell; Sound / Music Composition Sinead Diskin
The Holding Bones Schedule 2024
Rehearsals Supported by Mermaid Arts Centre, Fringe Lab and The Civic Theatre
Civic Theatre Studio, Tallaght
30th Oct – 1st Nov 7.30 pm
2nd Nov 1pm
Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray
12th Nov 8pm
Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge
14th Nov 8pm
Lexicon Studio (next to Cafe) Dún Laoghaire
15th Nov 3.30 pm and 17th November 2.30 pm with after show discussion.
