With the Gap Arts Festival now just a matter of weeks away details of the shows and workshops on offer continue to emerge. And, after months of speculation, this year’s play has been announced.
eaturing former Game of Thrones actor Deirdre Monaghan, Michael J. Harnett’s The Cloudspotter, set in Dublin’s inner city documents the relationship between a grandmother and her sometimes dodgy grandson. Danger, disappointment and heartache are balanced by sharp humour and the grandmother’s worship of Sonny Knowles, with his spirit and songs woven through the action.
Deirdre, whose other credits include Inspector George Gently, Jack Taylor, Bachelor’s Walk, and Fair City, plays the grandmother. Viewers might also remember Brenda Brooks from her stint in Fair City. She learned Russian in order to play the internet bride Olga.
Callum Maxwell, a recent graduate of the Gaiety School of Acting, plays the grandson. He has received accolades for his performance and is regarded in acting circles as ‘one to watch’.
Festival Director Garrett Keogh said live theatre has always been integral part of the programme since it started in 2011.
“It has always been central, when we started out back in 2011 it was the first time professional theatre was seen in Ballythomas since the fit-ups came with a tent in the 1950s.”
And Garrett believes audiences are in for a treat with this year’s play.
“After successful runs at the Five Lamps Festival and the Viking Theatre in Dublin, we’re lucky to get this new play before it travels further,’ he says.
An old friend, June Rodgers, recommended this play to Keogh. “She told me to try and get to see this beautiful piece of theatre and said the audience laughed and cried and sang along with everyone up on their feet applauding.”
Allergy Theatre and the Gap Arts Festival will present The Cloudspotter at Ballythomas for two nights only, Friday and Saturday July 29-30. Booking on eventbrite.ie
The Short Story Writing workshops have just ended, and the participants are putting the final touches to their stories before publication on the Gap website www.gapartsfestival.com
The Music Mentoring workshops are in full swing, rehearsing for the Gig@TheGap. The complete line-up, six hours of live music, will be announced soon. And the giant puppet-making workshops are underway.
