COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, March 22, 2021

QUESTION NO.17

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the CEO to confirm if plans are being made for the reopening of the Civic Theatre when the lifting of restrictions allows, will he detail any contacts made to arrange future shows and will he make a statement?

REPLY:

"The Civic continues to monitor the circumstances regarding reopening to the public in line with Government guidelines. As Councilllors are aware the restrictions on performance based venues, such as the Civic are acute at all levels including level one, whereby our 320 main auditorium may still only present work to the public not above 100 capacity in the audience. We are however doing everything we can to put in place provisonal preparations for an exciting and timely series of engagements with our local community.

The Civic is doing all it can to remain actively in contact with our community via digital and online means, as well as exploring ways to bring work to the community, be it outdoors or directly to their neighbourhood. We continue to work with our stakeholders and partners.

Some examples of work in preparation includes:

Ready Steady Show! Up to 50 different engagements by artists with early years audiences, creches and primary schools.

Songs of Change. New stories and integrated self composed songs, made and delivered by a group of residents across South Dublin, reflecting on life lived today by all ages and backgrounds.

Milk and Videos. A new play for Tallaght by Emmet Kirwan, in partnership with lead national/international producer, Landmark Productions, to be premiered at the Civic, before transferring to the Project Arts and the Olympia Theatres.

Traction. An EU funded virtual reality opera, in partnership with the National Opera, partially to be made in South Dublin, with direct input from local communities.

This is a Blank Page. A newly developed work by Tallaght Young Ensemble Freshly Ground which - in conjunction with secondary schools - explores the pros and cons of the Leaving Certificate and it's imapact on young people's lives.

Mother Tongues. Continued support and partnership with this fast-growing mini festival, that celebrates a range of work produced in a wide number of tongues and which celebrates diversity and inclusion".