The Loose Canon Theatre Company has been building a sturdy reputation for its Shakespearian productions, so when Coriolanus opened in the Project @ the Mint on Monday night, there was a fair number of well-established fans there to wish them well.
Director Jason Byrne was moonlighting from his day job as staff director at the Abbey Theatre but his colleagues, voice coach Andrea Ainsworth and publicist Lucy McKeever came along to lend their support. It was also a tribute to Jason and the company that there was a fierce number of people from other theatre companies checking out the work.
A big Rough Magic posse included Siobhan Bourke, Lynne Parker, Gina Moxley and Janis McAdam, while Jim Culleton and Maureen Kennelly arrived from Fishamble. Mind you, that crew could have been checking out the theatre space as they are soon coming to the Project with actor Pat Kinnevane's first script-writing venture, The Nun's Wood.
Also looking forward to a run at the Project was Jimmy Fay of Bedrock Theatre Company, just back from London where Alex Johnston's play, Deep Space, is running at the Bush Theatre before it's move to the Mint. The play's Dublin run will also coincide with the company's fifth anniversary, so a good party can be expected.
Actors there on the night included Karl Shields, who just finished a run in the Peacock theatre with Declan Hughes's Twenty Grand; Phelim Drew; Garett Keogh, and Des Nealon, who is currently in rehearsal for the next Peacock production - Chris Lee's spookily monikered The Electrocution of Children. It was quite a family affair for the Nealons - Des's son Stephen Nealon was on stage while his daughter, Catherine Nealon was behind the scenes as production manager.
For others in the company, the night was more of a school reunion. Administrator Gilly Clarke, set and costume designer Johanna Connor, and actor Dee Roycroft all share an alma mater - Newtown School in Waterford. The school is celebrating it's bicentenary this weekend with a large reunion and Gilly at least was heading down to join in the festivities.