Show notes
In this episode, meeting Director Catherine and the cast of 'Merry Go Round' as they prepare to go on tour. The women talk about their experiences of getting to know their characters and the challenges of working in the very specific style of Forum theatre. There will be a FREE public performance (details below) at @LIT Clonmel. This project is the culmination of many months of work by Catherine and her cast and crew and is both tragedy and comedy, a thought-provoking insight into one young woman's journey to crisis point.
Merry-Go-Round public performance
LIT Clonmel Campus
14th November
2pm - 4pm
Free admission
Written and directed by:
Catherine McVicker
Cast:
Luna Kalo
Helena White
Fiona Kelly
Ciara Morrin
Sound director:
Maurice Caplice
Set Design:
Ali Dietrich
Merry-Go-Round explores a young woman’s journey as she tries to deal with the sudden death of her father. Trying to keep everything together on the outside, she begins to feel overwhelmed. She struggles to attend her training course. The roof over her head is at risk and financial disaster exacerbates everything.
This play was written by Catherine McVicker as part of the ‘Rehearsing Change’ project, funded by Creative Ireland.
About Forum Theatre:
Forum Theatre is a style of theatre created by the innovative and influential practitioner Augusto Boal, one of the techniques
under the umbrella term of Theatre of the Oppressed (TO). This relates to the engagement of spectators influencing and engaging with the performance as both spectators and actors, termed ‘spect-actors’, with the power to stop and change the performance. As part of TO, the issues dealt with are often related to areas of social justice aiming to explore potential solutions to oppression featured in the performance.
As Forum Theatre is participatory, it is essential the performance a) honestly explores obstacles and b) creates a ripple of frustration regarding the protagonist’s decision making encouraging the audience or spect-actors to engage with the story and suggest/try other possible choices. The acknowledgment of choice as a component for personal or group development is an empowering tool in the overall process, as is discussion regarding systemic constraints during times of adversity.
Helena White: https://youtu.be/TvR2SzSLkd0
Fiona Kelly: https://youtu.be/AqFitHXCWIs
Short Clip: https://youtu.be/_Y9blDMONQI
Merry-Go-Round public performance
LIT Clonmel Campus
14th November
2pm - 4pm
Free admission
Written and directed by:
Catherine McVicker
Cast:
Luna Kalo
Helena White
Fiona Kelly
Ciara Morrin
Sound director:
Maurice Caplice
Set Design:
Ali Dietrich
Merry-Go-Round explores a young woman’s journey as she tries to deal with the sudden death of her father. Trying to keep everything together on the outside, she begins to feel overwhelmed. She struggles to attend her training course. The roof over her head is at risk and financial disaster exacerbates everything.
This play was written by Catherine McVicker as part of the ‘Rehearsing Change’ project, funded by Creative Ireland.
About Forum Theatre:
Forum Theatre is a style of theatre created by the innovative and influential practitioner Augusto Boal, one of the techniques
under the umbrella term of Theatre of the Oppressed (TO). This relates to the engagement of spectators influencing and engaging with the performance as both spectators and actors, termed ‘spect-actors’, with the power to stop and change the performance. As part of TO, the issues dealt with are often related to areas of social justice aiming to explore potential solutions to oppression featured in the performance.
As Forum Theatre is participatory, it is essential the performance a) honestly explores obstacles and b) creates a ripple of frustration regarding the protagonist’s decision making encouraging the audience or spect-actors to engage with the story and suggest/try other possible choices. The acknowledgment of choice as a component for personal or group development is an empowering tool in the overall process, as is discussion regarding systemic constraints during times of adversity.
Helena White: https://youtu.be/TvR2SzSLkd0
Fiona Kelly: https://youtu.be/AqFitHXCWIs
Short Clip: https://youtu.be/_Y9blDMONQI