‘FAIRY TREE’ IN REHEARSAL

Rehearsals for new children’s play Fairy Tree are underway.  Written and directed by Rod Goodall, Fairy Tree is our first time creating and producing theatre specifically for children. Featuring seven of our ensemble actors, Fairy Tree is a humorous, charming and colourful play incorporating puppetry, original music and song. The play is themed on  our relationship with the Fairy world and why we need to respect them.

Artistic Director Petal Pilley gives an insight in to the origins of the new project –  “Fairy Tree is about giving children the rare experience of being led by actors with intellectual disabilities through an inclusive theatre workshop and also seeing them perform in a high quality theatre production. The message is clear – artistic and professional achievement is possible for all.”

Currently,  the cast are working on their puppetry and performance skills, characterisation & singing, so we asked Rod Goodall how the daily rehearsals are going. This is what he had to say –

“So far, so good! We’ve had 9 days of creative work from all the team. From read through to blocking, backstage layout, to the puppetry AND to learning the lines. We have a wonderful Stage Manager in Orla Kelly Smith and a very active ASM in Barry Ryan behind the scenes. It’s a luxury! See you in November. Theatre Abú”.

Fairy Tree is aimed at child audiences aged 6+ years and for children with intellectual disabilities. Accompanying Fairy Tree are inclusive theatre workshops led and facilitated by our actors to six National schools across Galway City and County, touring to Ballinasloe, Clifden and Tuam.

We are programmed in Baboró International Children’s Arts Festival (11-20 October 2024), delivering workshops to pre-assigned schools, before we take the show on the road in November and December.

FAIRY TREE is funded by The Arts Council, The Ireland Funds and supported by Galway County Council.