Fairy Tree
New theatre production and companion workshops for children
Fairy Tree is a multi-phase initiative combining theatre and inclusive workshops, led by our professional actors, to schools across Galway City and County. It is an interdependent project that fosters creativity and collaboration between our actors and children with/without disabilities and those who are neurodivergent.
HOW FAIRY TREE EVOLVED
Artistic Director Petal Pilley – “The impetus for the Fairy Tree project came from conversations with our actors to inform our Strategic Arts Plan (2023-2027) and capture their artistic ambitions. Several expressed they wanted to create theatre for children with one actor saying that he’d never seen anyone like him on stage as a child.
Not long after, I read a short story written by Rod Goodall about the presence of the fairy realm in our everyday lives and sayings and saw the spark for a new piece of children’s theatre that led to commissioning the development of Fairy Tree into a play.
THEATRE PRODUCTION
Written and Directed by Rod Goodall
Fairy Tree is a humorous, charming theatre show that incorporates puppetry, original music and song, especially created for children aged six years + and suitable for all audiences. The show has a cast of eight actors.
STORY: Its mid-winter, the land is covered in snow and ice. The fairies are so cold they are freezing to the trees. Two young girls notice them and ask the community to take the fairies into their houses to warm up. Not everyone is pleased about the idea but they agree, as long as the fairies do not overstay their welcome. But will the fairies stick to the agreement?
December Galway Shows: Wednesday 4th – Saturday 7th December 2024 at 7pm, with extra matinee on Saturday at 3pm. Venue: Blue Teapot Theatre.
COMPANION WORKSHOPS
Fairy Tree is about giving children the rare experience of being led by actors with intellectual disabilities through an inclusive theatre workshop combined with then seeing them perform in a high quality children’s theatre production. The message is clear – artistic and professional achievement is possible for all.
Participating Schools (2024)
Galway County: TUAM: St Oliver’s National School and Educate Together NS
CLIFDEN: Scoil Mhuire Clifden, BALLINASLOE: Ballinalsoe NS.
Galway City: Claddagh National School, St Iognaid NS and Shantalla NS
GRATITUDE
Fairy Tree is made possible through arts grant funding from the Arts Council. The Ireland Funds Heart of the Community 2024 grant supports academic research and project evaluation. Galway County Council Arts Office for continued support in our Outreach work.
