Blue Raincoats celebrate 25 years of culture
IN 1991, Niall Henry and Malcolm Hamilton formed ‘ The Famous Blue Raincoats’ known today as the Blue Raincoat Theatre Company.
The Blue Raincoat Theatre has become the key stone to Sligo and the North West’s cultural life and it celebrates 25 years as one of the most vibrant, creative and enduring independent theatre companies working outside of Dublin.
Marking the end of their 25th year the Blue Raincoat Theatre Company ensemble will perform Jocelyn Clarke’s acclaimed stage adaption of the classic 1865 Lewis Carroll novel ‘ Alice in Wonderland’ in The Factory Performance Space from 26th October to 5th November.
This classic literary tale has enthralled and engaged both children and adults alike, as they follow Alice who falls down a rabbit hole and lands into a fantasy world full of strange people and unpredictable events.
The company first presented a fast- paced and physical retelling of Alice in Wonderland in 1998, and are excited at developing a new production from the original script almost two decades later.
Co- founder and Artistic Director Niall Henry said: “The great challenge of returning to the script of Alice in a Wonderland is that we find ourselves nearly twenty years later with a good part of the company still intact, trying to reinvent and out create our younger selves is a strange but exciting experience. Most of the ensemble has worked together for over twenty years and, in that time; the collaborations with Jocelyn as writer have produced some of our best work.”
The company has presented the world premieres of Clarke’s critically acclaimed original productions Shackleton ( 2016) and First Cosmonaut ( 2015); Clarke also adapted for stage the award- winning Flann O’Brien trilogy, The Third Policeman, At Swim- Two- Birds and The Poor Mouth.
Introducing Miriam Needham as Alice, the production is adapted from the Lewis Carroll classic with supporting cast Hilary Bowen John Carty, Sandra O’Malley, Brian Devaney and Barry Cullen.
Hailing from Ballisodare, Hilary Bowen Walsh began acting at the age of only six and with several successful projects behind her she is destined for great things.
Hilary says that while this is the first time she has worked with the cast, she appreciates how lucky she is to be able to come home and work locally: “I have seen most of the Blue Raincoat productions since I was 16, they were hugely inspirational and fantastic productions. Their stage craft is unique it’s very good.
“While this is the first time I’ve worked with them, it’s lovely to come home and work locally and with people I would have seen on stage and would have known for many years beforehand.” Last year Hilary attended the highly acclaimed Cannes film festival where the first Irish language musical ‘ Bonsuir Luna’ premiered. Looking towards the future she admits she isn’t looking for fame, instead finding sustainable work that continues to let her do what she loves.
“With acting there is no definitive path of A B and C and then you get to Z. Everyone finds their own path with acting. It’s a small industry in Ireland.”