Fíbín Irish language Theatre Company, Galway is celebrating their 15th anniversary this year and are bringing their biggest production to date ‘Tóraíocht’ out on a nationwide tour in April. This is a new version of the epic tale from the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology ‘The Pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne’, written by Philip Doherty and directed by the renowned actor and director Mikel Murfi. Preview shows of the play were well-received in Galway back in November 2016.
‘Tóraíocht’ is a love story full of outlandish feats and monsters. The story moves faster than any car-chase, jumps higher than any vaulter, and loves twice as much as any Frenchman, as Diarmuid and Gráinne attempt to stay one step ahead of Fionn and the Fianna! All performances will be subtitled in English and the story is told by using stunning visuals throughout.
‘Tóraíocht’ will be performed by a cast of six comprising of Gráinne Bleasdale, Méabh Ní Chualáin, Kate Finegan, Liz Fitzgibbon, Fionnuala Gygax and Seán T. Ó Meallaigh. The creative team includes award-winning playwright Philip Doherty and award-winning set designer Sabine Dargent. ‘Tóraíocht’ is a highly physical performance with quick changes, over-sized props, masks, and a breath-taking aerial routine.The ensemble of 6 actors portray over 30 characters with mask work. There is a great deal of humour in the story, in both the dialogue, and in the execution of the play with a very vivid, emotional closing scene.
Fíbín will kickstart their ‘Tóraíocht’ tour in Galway’s Town Hall Theatre on April 9th with a special matinée schools performance on April 10th. The tour heads south to The Everyman in Cork on April 13th and from here makes it’s way to the Draíocht in Blanchardstown with performances on 17th & 18th April. The tour wraps up in the VISUAL in Carlow on April 26th. There are special matinée schools performances in each venue and the play is suitable for ages 12 upwards. A pre-engagement pack will be sent out to all schools who book tickets to enhance their enjoyment and experience of the play. Theatre devices, lighting design and set design will be some of the topics discussed within this pack. Tickets are now available from all venues and check out the Fíbín website www.fibin.com for booking details.
Fíbín are delighted to have received touring funding from the Arts Council to undertake this tour as it’s very seldom Gaeltacht based companies get the chance to tour nationwide. Fíbín is the biggest and most active Irish language theatre company in the country and an audience in excess of 150,000 people have enjoyed productions here at home and abroad during the last fifteen years. ‘Tóraíocht’ is kindly supported by the Arts Council, Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge and RTÉ Supporting the Arts.