Over at the Project @ the Mint, there was not an ounce of excess in Cois Ceim's new dance work, Ballads, which deals dramatically with aspects of the Famine. The company's artistic director, David Bolger, was well pleased with the week's previews which had played to audiences of gob-smacked and impressed schoolchildren. "We didn't expect to enjoy ourselves!", more than one reported to Project press officer, Madeline Boughton.
The energetic and emotional performance included some fine, athletic moves, and some unexpected treats, including Diane O'Keefe's expert cello playing - while lying on her back with cello on tummy. The enrapt first-nighters included the Abbey Theatre's Patrick Mason, Dublin Theatre Festival director Tony O Dalaigh, Rough Magic's Lynne Parker and Anne Byrne, who is presently playing in Glenroe, and Smiley Bolger, organiser of A Vibe For Philo, the annual commemoration of Phil Lynott.
Jimmy Fay, director of Bedrock Theatre Company, was there sizing up the Project stage for his next production, Quartet by Heiner Muller which previews on December 5th. And actor Phelim Drew, most recently seen in RTE's gorgeously-seamy thriller series, Making The Cut was also there. He's off to Boston for a spot of relaxation before going into rehearsal for Tom Murphy's The Wake which opens at the Abbey in the New Year.