EntertainingSligo
COURSES AT HAWK’S WELL
The new year can offer a new start, with many of us using the fresh beginning to usher in some positive changes. New year’s resolutions come in many forms, and offer a great opportunity to pick up a new skill or to brush up on some old ones. Happily, Hawk’s Well Theatre is launching a raft of courses to suit all interests, as January begins. Whether it’s singing, acting, or music, the theatre has something for both young and old as 2020 kicks off.
Starting with the youngest theatre goers, Deirdre Gaule’s Toddler Drama and Drama at the Well return on Sat 11, and Thurs 16 January. Offering various courses for age groups from 18 months to 10 years, Deirdre’s ever-popular classes are fun and engaging, and encourage young children to act and participate in many different activities specially designed to explore creativity and build confidence. With limited availability, early booking is advised.
For those who wish to get on song, there’s two chances to join Michele Feeney’s Sing Your Heart Out; with fiveweek courses beginning on 13 Jan, and 24 Feb. If you love to sing, or would like some direction Michele’s intense vocal coaching sessions may just be what you’re looking for. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or improver; Michele’s workshops will travel through all aspects of your voice, and will have you singing with full force and hitting all the right notes. Catering for both children and adults, these two courses run for five weeks
John Joe Kelly’s ever-popular Bodhrán Workshops begin the same day. Renowned worldwide for his energetic teaching methods, this is a rare opportunity to enjoy a six-week course with the bodhrán master. The course welcomes both experienced players and beginners (in two separate sessions), and runs every Monday until 17 th February, with experienced classes beginning at 6pm, while beginners follow at 7.15pm.
Acting for Adults with Margaret Kilcoyne also begins on 13 Jan. This class gives adults of all ages a chance to explore their acting skills. Suitable for people with little or no acting experience, the course aims to inspire confidence-building via theatre exercises, and help with getting to grips with a script or two.
Back to music, and Sligo Fiddle Workshops with Oisín MacDiarmada, Declan Folan and John Carty run from 14 Jan. Fiddle players of all ages interested in improving their technique and expanding their repertoire in the Sligo style can avail, with the 6.15pm workshop open to those who already frequent sessions and are looking to expand their repertoire in the Sligo style in particular, while the 7.15pm focusses on fiddle players who want to develop their playing technique to the level of being able to join a session.
Finally, Roisin Egan’s popular Singskool Mini returns, from Wed 15, and Sat 18 Jan. With two groupings - Beat Buddy Babies for ages 6 months - 2.5 years, and Mini Melodies for ages 2.5 years - 5 years, these exciting pre-instrumental music programmes allow your child to explore orchestral instruments, musical literacy and singing, while putting the FUN back into the fundamentals of music!
Full details for all courses including pricing, are available by picking up the just-released January – April 2020 brochure, or by visiting the theatre online at www.hawkswell.com. For ticketing, visit the website, or call the Box Office on 071 916 1518.
THE BOY FROM THE FAR SIDE OF THE MOON
The Boy From The Far Side of The Moon is a new, original musical from the pen of Shaun Purcell. Writing and producing musicals is a tough game. Although Shaun’s previous musicals were small budget, they received critical acclaim. The late Gay Byrne described ‘ The Raven Beckons’ as “sad but thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking”.
The Boy From The Far Side of The Moon is a cross between The Wizard of Oz and The Playboy of The Western World. It boasts a choreographed hurling cup final, a ballet, jazz dance scene, dance on stilts and moon scene.
Steve, the boy, is bored on the far side of the moon and decides he wants to visit the green planet, which may not be green for much longer.
He lands in the village of Stratton in the West of Ireland. Stratton have been beaten in the county hurling final in Ballycar for the last 20 years. Steve inadvertently becomes the lethal weapon for Stratton, and the rest is history.
There are big show songs, energetic dance numbers and soft romantic ballads.
The Mad Ravens, a Sligo production company, are staging this highly original musical in Hawk’s Well Theatre on March 12 th, 13th and 14 th as a premiere.