Creating CONSTANCE

Creating CONSTANCE

Friday, 21 May 2021, 8.00pm

The Hawk’s Well is offering another chance to catch its lauded ‘Creating CONSTANCE’ production, in a special 48 hour streaming event direct from the theatre’s website. Centered around the life of Constance de Markievicz, the show offers a glimpse into the creation of the CONSTANCE show, and brings to life in music and words, the story of one of Sligo’s most storied figures.

CONSTANCE, an original Hawk’s Well Theatre production, premiered in Lissadell Church, in December 2019 to rapturous acclaim. Sadly, like countless other productions, the highly anticipated national tour of CONSTANCE was cancelled due to the global pandemic.

Creating CONSTANCE, which will be available to view from Friday 21 May, offers a rare behind the scenes look at this exciting production, which celebrates the life and work of Constance de Markievicz, one of Ireland’s most enigmatic icons. The production was created by writer/director Kellie Hughes and composer/musician Michael Rooney in collaboration with the Constance Ensemble, and developed in association with Hawk’s Well Theatre and IMBOLC festival.

An intimate unplugged session, Creating CONSTANCE was performed on the Hawk’s Well Theatre stage. The show was originally broadcast in a limited run in February, and garnered an overwhelming response from viewers. “It was so magical”, commented Cáit Ní Choinn, while Sheila Downs called it; “absolutely beautiful”. Dermott Cunningham meanwhile, praised the “fantastic performance”, and Claire Kelly added; “that was magnificent. I enjoyed every moment of it. I was particularly enthralled with Michael Rooney’s music & his harp-playing, which was sublime”.

A well-known yet illusive figure, the complexities, contradictions and above all, extraordinary humanity of Constance de Markievicz remains largely unknown. Reflecting on her life and legacy and Creating CONSTANCE features an octet of traditional Irish and classical musicians comprised of Niamh Crowley, Stephen Doherty, David Doocey, John Joe Kelly, Clare Horler, Marie O’Byrne and Michael Rooney. Creating CONSTANCE combines original compositions by Michael Rooney with Constance’s prose and poetry, performed by actor Nichola MacEvilly to create a rich sonic experience that celebrates one of Ireland’s most iconic figures.

In addition to the performance, Creating CONSTANCE features interviews with playwright and director Kellie Hughes. Says Kelly of Constance de Markievicz; “I found a beautiful letter to her brother Josslyn, where she tells him ‘My enemies will make a monster out of me, my friends a heroine, and both will be equally wide of the truth’ and I thought that is such a prophetic statement. She really understood how she was going to be viewed and she went for it anyway.”

Creating CONSTANCE is free, but ticketed event, with just a €1 booking fee per ticket to pay. It will stream Fri 21 May 8pm. You can book your ticket for this special streamed event via the our website www.hawkswell.com or by emailing [email protected].

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Creating CONSTANCE Ag cruthú CONSTANCE - Trailer May 2021

Published by Hawkswell on 12 May 2021

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