COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, February 27, 2017

QUESTION NO. 10

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

"To ask the Chief Executive if he will present a further report on efforts being made to attract regular shows to the Civic Theatre in Tallaght, appreciating that those interested in cultural activities in our Theatre wonder why the Theatre has not had regular productions in this quarter and will he make a statement?"

REPLY:

"Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the enquiry and to outline current market circumstances.

The current climate for touring and producing work is highly problematic, with an on-going downturn in the quality and quantity of theatre works available to be programmed. The Civic is not funded to produce its own work and depends on the wider market to source its offering. That is why I am taking a highly pro-active role in identifying the best on offer and working closely with calibre artists and companies to develop new projects that will be able to grace the Civic stage to the level of artistic merit and resourced output that I require for our discerning audience.

The quarter in question includes the run up to Christmas which is traditionally a very theatre light period for receiving venues like the Civic as is the January following. Despite this we still presented a sold out pantomime, (a hugely popular and vital introduction for families to a theatre experience), followed in January by our unique Tenderfoot programme in which 50 transition year students spend a month in the theatre being mentored to write and create 10 new self-penned theatre productions that are then performed to their peers. In the light of the Government’s Creative Ireland initiative this landmark programme will become even more important going forward as it offers a vital gate way into a relationship with theatre for a whole new generation of theatre makers and attendees.

Before the close of this season (in mid-March) we will also have presented 8 professional theatre productions, including the sold out, internationally acclaimed Dublin Old School by Tallaght writer/actor Emmet Kirwan, the opening of The Dead, an opera/theatre production of the Joyce classic, a play by and for the Estonian community, a hugely popular production around the life of Phil Lynott, and in the weeks ahead, a powerful production of Tallaght writer Mark O’Rowe’s Made in China and a world premiere (in a co-production with the Civic) of a new play about Tallaght comedian Dave Allen starring Bryan Murray one of the most recognised actors in Ireland.

Our new season, to be launched in early March will have no less than 15 plays and a further 4 musical dramas, including a unique weeklong festival called VOYAGE which will highlight some of the finest writing/acting talent in the country, works of social and political relevance, comedies, classic dramas, work by local artists and large scale drama works for schools audiences. It is my artistic policy to provide as wide a range of offering and taste to the whole community and all ages and I am very excited about the prospects for the next six months at the Civic.

I am in discussions with a significant number of nationally important theatre makers as well as those from abroad to continue to provide the people of South Dublin County and beyond with a stimulating, entertaining and high quality programme and one highly specific to the Civic, strengthening our roots locally and nationally as one of the most important venues in the country. Alongside our theatre output we will continue to offer a wide and appealing musical offering, dance, both contemporary and classical, comedy, light entertainment, etc. We know from the continuous and increasing feedback we are receiving from the general public that the variety and mix we now offer is highly appealing and considering the fact that we are still in recovery from the severe economic downturn, our performance is highly encouraging and promises great things for the future."