Creative Ireland boost for Quintessence Theatre Company
Dundalk’s only professional theatre company, Quintessence is expanding its programme for the coming season thanks to funding from Creative Ireland.
The company has just finished their most recent production, an adaptation of the much loved children’s classic ‘ The Wind in the Willows’ which they performed in the sylvan setting of Anaverna, Ravensdale.
Embracing the roles of Toad, Badger, Ratty, Mole, and Weasley in an energetic performance, they led the audience of children, parents and grandparents through the lush gardens before making their way to ‘ Toad Hall’, where the play ended with an invitation for all to join a party.
The play was typical of the ‘very interactive, physical ensemble based theatre,’ which lies at the heart of their ethos, according to director and founder member Anna Simpson.
Quintessence Theatre was founded in 2015 as the inaugural theatre company in residence at the Táin Arts Centre and stages three productions every year.
This puts An Táin in the lucky position of being one of the only theatres in the country to have a theatre company in residence, says centre director Paul Hayes,
‘It’s part of our ethos to foster and support emerging theatre companies by giving them the space, time and funding to produce shows,’ he explains. ‘It’s great to be able to give a professional theatre company that level of support.’
The funding from Creative Ireland enables the company to expand its work with schools and young people.
‘We are bringing ‘Cracks’ back in October for Transition Year students,’ says cast member Leah Rossiter.
The company first staged ‘Cracks’, a piece which they devised themselves, last autumn and once again they will be inviting the audience to discuss the issues around mental health which it highlights.
‘ This was a piece we created from our own stories and it’s about taking the stigma away from mental health and talking about it,’ she explains. ‘It’s something we feel is very important and it gives young people the opportunity to ask questions. We always have a counsellor present to discuss the issues raised by the play.’
The company are also getting ready to work on their Shakespeare for Schools production of ‘ Romeo and Juliet’ which will run in An Táin Arts Centre at the end of November.
In addition to bringing the story of the warring families of the Montagues and Capulets and their ‘star crossed’ offspring to life, they will be offering workshops to schools as the play is on the Junior Cert course.
The funding they receive allows them to bring productions like ‘Cracks’ to other venues such as The Garage Theatre and Iontas in Monaghan.
‘It gives us the opportunity to flourish and to create professional work outside of Dublin’ says Leah.
Originally from Drogheda, Leah now lives in Dundalk and appreciates the opportunity of being able to work in her chosen profession.
‘Half the cast are based she notes.
The role of Toad in ‘ The Wind in the Willows’ was played by Anthony Kinahan, who is also in the cast of ‘Cracks’. A native of Dromiskin, Anthony has appeared in ‘Red Rock’ and ‘ The Vikings’. Fiona Keenan O’Brien (Mole) is from Monaghan while Dubliner Amy locally,’ Kellett played Ratty.
Past productions by Quintessence include ‘ The Picture of Dorian Gray’, ‘Alice in Wonderland’, ‘Vessel’. ‘Hamlet’, ‘Grimm Tales for Young and Old’, ‘Dracula’ and ‘ The Warrior of the Tain’.