Theatre group back to square one as audition space not accessible
SQUARE ONE theatre group found themselves locked out of the former Coláiste Ráithín last week when they arrived to hold auditions.
The auditions for the forthcoming ‘Unbroken Circle’ were to be held there on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 28 and 29.
Maeve Miller of Square One said that the arrangement had been made with school personnel prior to the move to a new school building.
The Florence Road building, which is owned by the Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board, was not accessible.
‘We had been told that KWETB would be changing the locks on August 31,’ said Maeve. ‘We went down on Tuesday night and the door was locked.’ She said that they held auditions upstairs in the Harbour Bar.
‘We are obviously very sad. We’ve been in and out of there for over 35 years, since before even Coláiste Ráithín was there.’
Maeve said that they have enjoyed a great relationship with the school and also KEWTB over the years. ‘We really hope we can use the space again,’ she said.
They are looking around at different options but have not given up hope that they can use the Florence Road facility. Other groups have also used the school for rehearsals, including Bray Comhaltas and Sheevawn Musical Youth Theatre.
Maeve said that Square One representatives have sent emails and left messages by phone with KWETB but have not yet had the chance to speak to anyone. She said that she has been a member of a group petitioning for the building to be used as an arts centre.
‘Square One have always appreciated having it and knew we were very lucky,’ said Maeve. ‘We are a community group and not funded. For us to pay rental for rehearsal space is beyond us.’
KWETB had not responded to a request for comment at the time of going to press.