Technically speaking, 2011 is the future. Even though it’s in a couple of days. My plan for this futuristic time is a little project called In The Future When All’s Well.
In my role as general theatrical dogsbody for Devious Theatre, I’ll be working with our usual Devious crew and some exciting vibrant new additions to create a 6 month programme of theatre based entirely in the Kilkenny County Council Arts Office.
Mary Butler, the Kilkenny County Council Arts Officer and a lady of extreme go getting, has long being trying to get us into a building of our own. After a couple of thwarted attempts, she’s decided to use their long standing Artist In Residency programme to bring in an entire theatre company. So we were pretty damn chuffed and have spent the latter half of 2010 putting our brand new season together. The vibrant new additions to our team will function in a way that I imagine the new Ghostbusters movie will play out. With us grizzled veterans training in a group of new Kilkenny ‘Theatrebusters’. Because I’m writing this I can lay claim to being the Venkman, Ken is obviously the Stanz and Paddy is the Spengler. Angela is a sure fire Janine. And I think Eddie is most likely the Zeddmore. We will spend our days standing around planning theatre and sliding down poles in the Arts Office. Here’s what we looked like when we did it in 2007 (Ken took the photo so he’s behind you).
Who Are You Going To Call? Devious Theatre!
I’m not yet in a position to say what the plays are yet but in line with already has been announced, there’s 3 of them. And there will be another one for the radio which Ken is directing and will involve a great big bunch of writers. And there will be lots of other exciting things that will happen I’m sure. The actual announcement of what the plays are will be happening in the next couple of days once the festive season has died down. And they’re all originals. Well, by originals they either haven’t been done before or they haven’t been done before by anyone that isn’t Devious Theatre. My role in the season involves doing a whole bunch of writing, directing and acting which will make my head spin. I am hoping that the Dario Fo Season has put me in fairly decent shape for directing 3 plays in 6 months, but it’ll be a hell of a theatralathon (that’s my new word).
And why the title? Well, the 3 main plays are dealing with the theme of the future. Specifically relating to a bunch of disillusioned Irish folks in their teens, twenties and thirties. Unless something drastic happens, we won’t be setting the plays in the future with hoverboards and robot dogs (I wish). The title comes from the Morrissey track and it will no doubt be getting an airing (with a bit more from the amazing Mr. Morrissey besides)
We commence work on January 10th and I really can’t wait for it. It’s the biggest project we’ve undertaken in the (near) 5 year history of Devious Theatre and we’re hoping it kicks off our next 5 years with a solid bang. Got to look to the future after all.
