MARCH went out like a lion as the Drama League of Ireland executive, at a meeting in Athlone, decided on legal action in the Summer School situation. Cries of anger from the rank and file reached this column. At a time when the Arts Council is beginning to recognise the value of the work being done in the voluntary sector of theatre, another heave is the last thing the movement needs. Thankfully, at the time of going to press, sanity seems to have prevailed.
I tossed a coin before listing, what is on offer next August and Gormanston Summer School won. Their main courses are: Mime with Rowan Tolley, Basic Acting with Joe O'Donoghue, Language & Voice in Performance with Tom Doherty The Dramatic Relationship with Richard Finch, The Theatre of Desire with Firenza Guidi Creating a Character with Kevin Dowselt, From Imagination and Psychological Gesture to the Character with Jvrg Andrees, and World's Elsewhere with Nigel Warrington. Participants may select an additional option from the following: Voice (J. Culleton) Stage Management (J. O'Donoghue), Production: The Basics (T. Doherty), Macnas, (An Introduction), Working with a Mask (K. Dowsett), Lighting (J. Connolly), Make Up (A. Hudson), Theatre of Desire (An Introduction with F. Guidi), Mime (R. Tolley), Ensemble Playing (R. Finch), Irish Language Theatre Workshop (Amarchlann de hIde).
There will also be technical advice on lighting, video recording and a full sporting and social programme. Booking and further information from Eamonn and Freda O'Donoghue, Beechlawn, Ballinasloe (0905/43338) The same couple offer Stagewise, a residential course in Youth Theatre (June 30th to July 6th for 12 to 15 year olds, July 7th to 13th for 15 to 17 year olds). Their Stageworks 96 for Primary and Post Primary teachers is from July 29th to August 2nd.
The DLI Summer School at Maynooth offers: Setting the Stage with Pat Murray, Starting Points Finishing Points with Richard Bell, Text to Theatre with Michael Vernon, Video View with Paul Hadfield, Playback Theatre with David Powley, Orla McKeagney and James King, Theatre of the Clown with Veronica Coburn, Something out of Nothing with Rebecca Partlett Judith Higgins, and Dramatic Moves with Caroline Lamb. Anne Mekitarian is tutor for their three day, non residential Drama and Communication workshop for secondary school teachers. There will be on campus social activities. Booking and enquiries from PO Box 3094, Dublin 8,
Tel: 088/502117, Fax 01/45 30369. Willie O'Brien from Trim is School Director.
