Read the latest update from our Community Company in Residence Encore Productions
With only four weeks until the opening of their brand new ‘Beckett List’ show, the cast and crew of Encore productions in the thick of the rehearsal process – learning the last of the tricky lines – trimming and clarifying scenes and movement – working with music and props.
The costume rack is groaning under the weight of baggy suits and over coats while sand dunes and dustbins wait to be drilled and painted. If you know the work of Beckett you will know what we mean!
But amid all this activity there’s always time to learn new skills and welcome new friends to Dundalk.
As part of a cultural exchange between An Táin Arts Centre and The Appalachian Centre for the Arts in Pikeville, Kentucky, Encore took part in workshops with actor and director Crockett Ward. His work explored energy and gesture – helping the actors unlock the physical aspects of storytelling – how much we say with our bodies before we ever open our mouths to speak. The games and exercises were fun, energising and rewarding and have added to the vocabulary of how our actors can communicate with audiences. We hope this will be the beginning of a longstanding collaboration with Crockett and his Theatre.
On Wednesday the creative work has continued with our poetry writing in the morning and with Workshops with Orlaith Cullinane which have explored portraiture through shadow, outline and cut outs which have left room for the participants to explore texture pattern and expression. The work was stimulating and surprising and has added to the material we hope to exhibit later this year.
But for now – Beckett Beckons!
Sandy Sneddon
Encore Productions.