Another chance to catch Creating Constance show
THE Hawk’s Well theatre is offering another chance to catch its lauded ‘Creating Constance’ production, in a special 48-hour streaming event from the theatre’s website.
Centered around the life of Constance Markievicz, the show offers a glimpse into the creation of the ‘Constance’ show, and brings to life in music and words, the story of one of Sligo’s most storied figures. Constance, an original Hawk’s Well Theatre production, premiered in Lissadell Church in December 2019 to rapturous acclaim. Sadly, like countless other productions, the highly anticipated national tour of the show was cancelled due to the global pandemic.
Creating Constance, which will be available to view from tomorrow, Friday, offers a rare behind the scenes look at this exciting production.
The production was created by writer/director Kellie Hughes and composer/musician Michael Rooney in collaboration with the Constance Ensemble, and developed in association with Hawk’s Well Theatre and Imbolc Festival.
An intimate unplugged session, Creating Constance was performed on the Hawk’s Well Theatre stage. The show was originally broadcast in a limited run in February and garnered an overwhelming response from it’s global viewers. A well-known yet elusive figure, the complexities, contradictions and extraordinary humanity of Constance Markievicz remain largely unknown. Reflecting on her life and legacy, Creating Constance features an octet of traditional Irish and classical musicians comprised of Niamh Crowley, Stephen Doherty, David Doocey, John Joe Kelly, Clare Horler, Marie O’Byrne and Michael Rooney. Creating Constance combines original compositions by Michael Rooney with Constance’s prose and poetry, performed by actor Nichola MacEvilly, to create a rich sonic experience that celebrates one of Ireland’s most iconic figures. In addition to the performance, Creating Constance features interviews with playwright and director Kellie Hughes.
Hughes said: “I found a beautiful letter to her brother Josslyn, where she tells him ‘My enemies will make a monster out of me, my friends a heroine, and both will be equally wide of the truth’ and I thought that is such a prophetic statement.
“She really understood how she was going to be viewed and she went for it anyway.”
Creating Constance is free but is a ticketed event, with just a €1 booking fee per ticket to pay. It will stream tomorrow evening at 8pm. You can book your ticket via the Hawk’s Well website or by emailing boxoffice@ hawkswell.com.
The Hawk’s Well acknowledges the support for Constance from Arts Council Ireland, Creative Ireland, Sligo County Council, MSLETB and Ecclesiastical Insurance. Creating Constance was supported by Imbolc International Arts Festival.