An Irish-language verse play by poet Cathal O Searcaigh, based on the story of Salome is one of the innovative productions to be staged shortly at An Grianan theatre in Letterkenny.
The poet has teamed up with director Paraic Breathnach of Macnas fame for the production. It will be the first play by O Searcaigh to be staged professionally and he has praised An Grianan for taking the risk to commission such a production given the commercial constraints.
The Donegal poet said he was attracted to the story which he described as one of "depravity and decadence". While keeping to the original story he had tried to include comedy as well as tragedy.
O Searchaigh places the story in a contemporary setting and two gay characters have been introduced to the drama playing court jesters. Irish language theatre in the past, he says, has been too language-based and "bogged down by props".
"I like theatre that draws on the capabilities of the actors, that uses mime, movement, dance, song - theatre that is visually stimulating," he said.
He hoped it would appeal to a wide audience and not just to Irish-speakers. O Searcaigh said it was important that all the actors were fluent in Irish. In some productions in the past, actors who were not fluent "did not know anything of the life beyond the words". This, he said, was particularly "galling" for native speakers.
The play, titled Oiche Ghealai, runs from October 27th to November 3rd.
This weekend An Grianan stages Between the Jigs and the Reels which includes leading traditional musicians and performers Martin O'Connor, the Ni Dhomhnaill sisters and Paddy Glackin. The show sets out to celebrate the music and spirit of Donegal.
An Grianan can be contacted on 074-20777.