Archive for September 8, 2010
NEWS: Autumn at CRAIC
Sep 8th
CRAIC has been working hard to finalise the Autumn Programme, with a mini film festival as part of the line-up in September.
Friday 1st October: Credit Union League of Ireland presents The Big Talent Show for 12-19 year olds…The CU Factor.
Sunday 9th October: Michael McCoy Star comedy Hypnotist.
Friday 15th October: The Boat Factory – a play written by, directed by, and starring Dan Gordon.
Thursday 21st October – Saturday 23rd October: Craic One Act Drama Festival. 6 plays over 3 nights. Companies from Wexford, Donegal, Bangor & Belfast.
Friday 5th November: “National Anthem” presented by Ransom Theatre Company.
Thursday 11th – Sunday 14th November and Thursday 18th – Sunday 21st November: Craic Theatre presents “The Righteous Are Bold” by Frank Carney.
Wednesday 24th November – Sunday 28th November: Martin Ryan presents “Music From The 70′s Stage Show”.
Monday 29th November -Friday 3rd December: Centre Stage presents “Little Miss Muffet’s Magical Christmas” Panto for schools.
Friday 10th December: Gaelscoil Ui Neill presents their annual “Christmas Show”.
Wednesday 15th -Sunday 19th December: Edendork Primary School presents “Jack and The Beanstalk”.
For information on joining the CRAIC film club or entering the CU Factor contact Oliver Corr.
Posted by Catherine Wylie
NEWS: A drama on elder abuse comes to CRAIC
Sep 8th
Sole Purpose Productions will take their gripping play on elder abuse, ‘See no Evil’, to CRAIC Theatre on Monday 21st June at 11am. Their tour, which runs from 2nd to 25th June, marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15th. This annual event was established by the United Nations to give abuse and neglect of older adults a global relevance and to highlight appropriate action.
Written by Patricia Byrne and directed by Shauna Kelpie, See No Evil tells the story of how vulnerable elderly farmer Danny, illiterate and living alone, is “looked after” by his neighbours. Grateful for their assistance, he is unaware that these helpful neighbours are actually helping themselves to his finances, manipulating his thoughts and actions, and turning him against the only family he has left. When his niece visits from London, she can sense that something sinister is in the air, but is she too late to stop it?
This riveting play looks at financial, emotional and psychological abuse. It illustrates the subtle dynamic that exists between the victim and the perpetrator and the difficulties in recognising this kind of abuse.
Posted by Catherine Wylie
Pride of the Borough
Sep 8th
by Councillor Sean McGuigan
“It gives me great pleasure as Mayor of Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council to be associated with Craic and the opening of their purpose-built theatre and arts centre in Coalisland.
Since its formation in 1995 Craic has endeavoured to pursue the involvement of young people in the Arts with the aim of providing a positive alternative to drugs and alcohol. Craic’s success has been outstanding. Prestigious shows such as Annie has been staged and some of the actors have progressed to star in television shows.
I would take this opportunity to extend congratulations to the Board of Craic on their hard work not only in highlighting the talent of their members but also provision of the excellent centre. Porjects such as this don’t just happen, they require foresight, planning and most importantly the securing of funding. As a Borough Council and through STAP Local Strategy Partnership, we are proud to have contributed funding for the development of the centre.
I would endorse the work of Craic and would wish them every success in theiry new premises as they continue to promote Art in its widest form in Coalisland and surrounding districts.”
Coalisland’s Wonderful Tradition
Sep 8th
by Vera Sullivan
“It is a pleasure to be part of the wonderful tradition of drama and music in Coalisland. Presenting our early plays in the old parochial centre was quite a challenge, the moving to St. Joseph’s school stage and returning to the new parochial center. With the late Dan Scott a wonderful stage and set designer, a great back stage and lighting team, talented actors and actresses we progressed.
One of the highlights at that time was the production of Right Again Barnham by author and playwright the late Joe Tomility who came to see our performance and was very complimentary about the production. With this encouragement we moved on to present many more plays including Arsenic and Old Lace and The Man Who Came to Dinner. Great plays, wonderful nights and performances.
Congratulations to the committee and management of Craic for keeping and developing the tradition of drama in Coalisland. Moving to their own modern Craic theatre is a significant acheivement.”
The Old White Room
Sep 8th
by Jim Canning, Chairman CDDA
“Coalisland and District Development Association (CDDA) are pleased to provide Craic with a permanent home in what was known as the “White Room” of Coalisland Weaving Co. The transformation of the premises into a fine theatre was brought about by the hard work and dedication of the members of Craic who gave generously of their time and talents to make it all happen. Anyone who saw them in action marvelled at their optimism for the venture and their enthusiasm while they worked.
The great Coalisland tradition of home grown entertainment is alive and well and Craic follows in the footsteps of groups from the past organised by legends of drama and variety like the late PJ Looney, Rory T. O’Kelly, Jim Devlin and Frank O’Neill and others who are thankfully still with us.
As well as the performer who is seen on stage Craic offers a great variety of opportunities to others in such stage-craft disciplines as Directing, Choreography, Sound, Lighting, Costume making and Set Design and has already helped some young people to find careers. This theatre will offer many people particularly our young people to do one of the most difficult things – to perform before their neighbours. It will seek out their talents and give them confidence to face life.
I look forward in this theatre to many high standard performances that have been the hallmark of Craic over the years and I congratulate them on their magnificent achievement.
Well done Craic!”