2009 Press Releases

UCC students launch new Theatre Company
29.05.2009

Students Jennifer Rogers and Rachel Yoder, who are completing their final year of Drama and Theatre Studies at UCC, have just launched ROUNDHOUSE, a new theatre company.
The first ROUNDHOUSE production, Lipstick by Rachel Yoder, previews tomorrow Saturday, May 30th at UCC’s Granary Theatre, opens on June 2nd and runs until June 6th.  This is followed by Spitting Love by Jennifer Rogers, which previews on June 8th, opens on June 9th and runs until June 13th.

Launching the new company, Dr Ger FitzGibbon (Head of Drama & Theatre Studies) congratulated the students on their courage and initiative.  He pointed out that, while these were difficult conditions in which to launch a new venture, the arts had always demonstrated a remarkable capacity to deal with tough times.  A great many of the most important Irish theatre companies had started in the 80s but had survived, he believed, because those involved believed passionately in the work they were doing.   

The whole venture grows organically out of the UCC Drama & Theatre Studies programme, whose final year students form mini-companies to present their own devised work.  The first DTS graduates had appeared in 2004 and alumni are now establishing careers in theatre, the arts and education all over Ireland, the UK and further afield.  Drama & Theatre Studies graduates are now working in performance, direction, design, research, arts administration and education.  

Jennifer Rogers, co-founder of ROUNDHOUSE, said: “We aim to produce new and exciting drama that considers all forms of artistic expression.”  ROUNDHOUSE will shortly commence the summer programme at the Granary Theatre where it is planned to take up a year-in-residency thanks to the generosity of its artistic director, Tony McCleane-Fay.

Lipstick explores the absurd world of Jane and Archibald, a newly wed couple, who despite both traditional and modern pressure find a way to express their love. It comically describes the situations young lovers can find themselves in when the communication cord gets tangled with an interfering mother-in-law!

Spitting Love is a dark comedy about the trauma of losing a child. The play shifts through the inner world of Harry, as he tries to make sense of his loss. It portrays the transformation that takes place between the inner thoughts of Harry and the perception of the outer world.

ROUNDHOUSE is fortunate to have a great cast of well-known actors; James Brown, Mary- Louise McCarthy (DTS), Peadar Donohoe and Shane Falvey. Lucie Ryan Donnelly (Post DTS), will head up the production team.

Picture shows: Kelly Chisholm, who is currently taking the MA in Drama (Performance) and is the leading lady in Spitting Love.

1126MMcS



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