On the town Ali BrackenWho said opera is all about fluttering soprano highs? The Wexford Festival Opera 2007 includes a ballet, play and music far removed from traditional baritones and tenors. "Our festival is something that you try once and then can't help but come back to every year," said festival chief executive Michael Hunt at its launch in the Guinness Storehouse. "I'm almost prepared to give people a money back guarantee. Almost."
This year's festival runs in May and June instead of its usual October and November slot, and will be staged in the picturesque grounds of Johnstown Castle, in a temporary theatre specially designed by Joe Vanek, who described it proudly as "the biggest single structure of a temporary venue in the country". Production manager Dave Stuttard said he expects audiences to be intrigued by their handiwork, which will enhance the "beautiful and romantic" music.
The new Wexford Opera House is due for completion in 2008, but artistic director David Adler said everyone was excited about this year's setting. "We embrace all things new; fingers crossed the sun will shine."
Arts Council chairwoman Olive Braiden and Emer Lovett from the Wexford Chamber of Commerce discussed how the diversity of the festival was making opera more accessible. "The Wexford Fringe Festival runs in tandem with it and there'll be 70 art exhibitions as well as poetry readings and plays running in the town," said Lovett.
Former MEP Mary Banotti agreed, saying the exclusiveness of opera was fading as it begins to connect with people with varying musical tastes. "But opera is in desperate need of an awful lot more money," she added. "Wexford Festival Opera has put Ireland on the international map."
Wexford Opera 2007 runs from May 31 to June 10, www.wexfordopera.com, 053-9122240
Supply of Demand and Katz
American artist Alex Katz, who celebrates his 80th birthday this year, attributes his continuing career (and slim physique) to his 300 daily press-ups. "And I go running for miles. How else could I find my way around those 10x20ft canvases?" Eat your heart out Louis le Brocquy, quipped Pat Murphy, artistic director of the Office of Public Works.
German artist Thomas Demand, who launched his exhibition of photographic pieces alongside a selection of Katz's paintings and aquatints at the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin's Kilmainham, takes a different artistic approach. "After I've finished with a photographic model, I destroy it," he happily explained. "It's the best release in the world. After spending two to six months with it, it's a soothing relief to be rid of it." The contrasting nature of the two artists - in background, age and style - made for an interesting combination, said Joe Mulholland, chairman of the National College of Art and Design, as he chatted to Irish artist Camille Souter.
Robert Storr, Dean of the Yale University School of Art, said that both men's approach to art was so at odds it was almost similar. "Both artists deal with the everydayness of life, but in completely different ways."
Poet and broadcaster Theo Dorgan, who was preparing to interview Katz publicly, was also there. "Looking forward to it? I am not. No doubt I'll make a fool of myself asking stupid questions." Poet, playwright and painter Anne Hartigan perused the exhibitions with artist Zita Reihill.
Poet Vincent Katz, who recited his work at the launch of his father's exhibition, spoke of his first impressions of Ireland. "It's great to be in the land of great poets but more than a little bit daunting for a Yank."
Alex Katz's New York runs at IMMA until May 20. Thomas Demand's L'Esprit d'Escalier runs until June 3. Admission to both is free
New Theatre newer than ever
It seemed fitting that the first play to be staged in the renovated Connolly House in Dublin's Temple Bar was Sean O'Casey's classic, The Shadow of a Gunman. The playwright and socialist James Connolly were firm friends. "Sean O'Casey was a personal friend and comrade of James Connolly," said director Ronan Wilmot, as he urged the audience in the intimate 66-seater venue to enjoy the "great man's work".
The Connolly Bookshop, in partnership with the New Theatre, has re-opened the premises after two years of restoration work. "We hope this venue will break new ground," said Eugene McCartan, a member of the Communist Party involved in the refurbishment of the building. "It's an alternative cultural venue for the people of Dublin."
Theatre-lovers packed into the opening night of the production. Stewart Roche, Dermot Magennis and Victor Grennan, all of Purple Heart Theatre Company, echoed sentiments of appreciation and relief at the theatre's re-opening, especially following the recent closures of Rupert Guinness Theatre, the SFX, Andrews Lane Theatre and the temporary closure of the Gaiety Theatre.
Beryl and Allan Williams along with their friends Victor Railton and John Dunne travelled across the water to catch the production. "We're the Liverpool fanclub of Ronan Wilmot," said Allan, The Beatles' first manager. Wilmot staged a play about the ex-manager's exploits in the same venue four years ago, The Man who Gave Away the Beatles, and they've kept in touch since.
Marie-Louise O'Donnell, involved in drama at the Helix in DCU, chatted with Tony Ó Dálaigh, former director of the Dublin Theatre Festival. His wife, Margaret Ó Dálaigh, acts in the production.
Carmel White, director of the New Theatre, was anxiously waiting for the play to begin with her husband Peter White.
Also present was actor JJ Rolly and director Tim McDonnell. "Where else in the world," asked McDonnell, "would you find a theatre behind a bookshop?"
The Shadow of a Gunman runs until April 13 at the New Theatre, Connolly building, Temple Bar. Tickets (€15 to 20) from 01-6703361
Fans of Flann turn out in force
Flann O'Brien may well have been the prime wit of a generation of Dublin intellectuals, but that didn't stop a new generation of comedians, actors and literary figures honouring his work with further satirical twists.
What would he think of today's Ireland, where women drink freely in pubs and journalists can't survive without Google? He'd have no shortage of material, everyone agreed.
The scene was Vicar Street and homage was paid to the man who wrote with manic imaginativeness for many years under the name Myles na gCopaleen in a column in The Irish Times.
Comedian Tommy Tiernan and playwright and novelist Patrick McCabe were just two of a host of well-known faces that took to the stage to celebrate his work with a contemporary slant.
Many recognisable faces mingled in the audience. Actor Stephen Rea, joined by Anne Marie Naughton, producer of The Third Policeman's Ball, became momentarily animated on the subject of O'Brien. "He's crying out to be read aloud," Rea said, "but it'll be hard to capture the surreal genius of the man." David Coffey, star of RTÉ television's Dan & Becs, was joined by Ciara Gogarty from Accomplice Television, which is currently producing a second series of the spoof show.
Poet and novelist Anthony Cronin chatted with director of the Abbey Theatre Fiach Mac Conghail and director and writer Sam Shepard, who is currently working with Rea on his new play, Kicking a Dead Horse, which begins its run at the Peacock in two weeks' time.
Arthur Riordan, a founder member of Rough Magic Theatre Company, who wrote some of the material for the production, said ahead of curtain call that he hoped it was a "fitting tribute".
Billed as a one-off show, Riordan hinted that, depending on the reception, more might follow. "You never know. There's so much Flann O'Brien to draw from, someone's bound to want to do a follow-up."
Catherine Foley is on leave