US acting troupe get a Friel for Donegal
Students perfect lilts in Ireland
A GROUP of US students staging a performance of Dancing at Lughnasa flew to Ireland just to perfect the Donegal accent.
Performing arts students from Lagrange College in Georgia’s theatre programme includes the work of Irish playwright Brian Friel.
The group are scheduled to put on Friel’s famous play next month back home in the States.
So determined were the group to get their accents just right that they took trains, planes and automobiles and travelled more than 6,000 kilometres.
The play is set in the town of Glenties which was made even more famous by the 1998 screen version starring talented Hollywood actress Meryl Streep.
The week-long trip, made partly possible by some generous donations, saw the group immerse themselves into Donegal culture.
The group travelled to Glenties where they met and were welcomed warmly by locals.
They began at Siopa Lughnasa for fresh scones, then it was off to The Laurels, Friel’s family cottage, to get a sense of the play’s setting. They were also treated to a fantastic piece by Helen Power from Friel’s play Faith Healer at the new Lughnasa Creative Art Centre, then went on to St Connell’s Museum for a chat with curator Anne Mcloone.
The drama troupe’s seven-day programme was hosted by the Bundoran-based Institute of Study Abroad Ireland.
Their curriculum for theatre studies was designed and delivered by multitalented actor, director, and playwright Maura Logue.
Maura, who is also founder of Dark Daughter Productions and Costume Hire, connected with the group in advance of their tour, and had workshops, interviews, exchanges and experiences all prepared for the players.
Maura and ISAI instructor Aidan Given worked with the students on history, cultural context, dialect and accent, costuming and rehearsal.
The actors were also blessed with fabulously clear and sunny weather, so they were more than satisfied with their visit. Kim
Barber
Knoll, of the Theatre Department at Lagrange College and director of the Dancing at Lughnasa production said their visit is something that they will never forget.
She said “This experience in Donegal has not only prepared us for our performance in February, but it has also changed all of us.
“Donegal is more beautiful and friendly and rich in culture than we could have imagined, and being guided so masterfully by Maura through the text was an enrichment our students will never forget.”
On the last day, the troupe, dressed by Dark Daughter costumes and photographed by Aidan Given, posed for a publicity shoot, left, on the Fairy Bridges in Bundoran.
The play will be performed back in Georgia next month.
Donegal is more beautiful and friendly and rich in culture than we imagined KIM BARBER KNOLL LAGRANGE COLLEGE