Shadows of the Táin– Smock Alley – Review by Frank L.

Produced by Candlelit Tales

15 – 18 Nov | 7.30pm | Main Space – Smock Alley

Candlelit Tales was formed by siblings Aron and Sorcha Hegarty in the winter of 2014. They have a passion for storytelling. In particular the telling of ancient Irish folktales and epics in a manner that will help embed them into the consciousness of a contemporary audience. In this production “Táin Bó Cúailnge” is performed which is the tale of Queen Medb and her attempts to steal the giant bull Donn Cuailnge opposed only by Cú Chulainn.. The tale is told by the two siblings, assisted by a group of musicians and a number of puppeteers, as shadow puppets are projected onto the back wall of the theatre.

The musicians are divided into two groups seated on each side of the stage. In the centre foreground of the stage is a hide-covered mound which permits the four hidden puppeteers to project their light and shadows onto the back wall.

There are two narrators who are the Hegartys. Each of them is clad in “Celtic” attire.  Aron’s doublet consists of quite a bit of black leather which looks spankingly new. Given the tone of the piece a little bit of distressing of the leather would make it look more credible. However his own physical attributes help eclipse this flaw and overall he looks as if he came in a direct line from the warriors of ancient Ireland. He is the prime story teller and he tells the complex tale with enthusiasm and also the occasional double entendre thrown in for good measure. Sorcha contributes to the story from the female perspective. She too is not above a double entendre but she makes it clear that it is the women who rule the roost.

Apart from the two narrators the other important visual element are the shadow images which appear on the back wall. Many of them come from the images inspired by Ireland’s ancient past but also the red hand of Ulster features.

The Hegarty’s mission is to bring back to the forefront of popular culture these Ancient Irish folktales. That is an entirely admirable ambition. However many of the audience including this reviewer will have only the sketchiest notion of the stories at best. Therefore a programme with some guide as to the dramatis personae would assist. The music complements the varying moods of the story as it is being told and this is augmented by the ever changing shadows on the back wall. The images keep the story visually alive. However the story is complex with very many characters.  The challenge for the Hegartys is to bring to life and vivify this very large number of characters.  A challenging task which was not always accomplished.

Undoubtedly the task the Hegartys have set themselves is one that should be pursued. The shadow puppets and the music worked well. The nut to be cracked is to make the various characters more accessible.

Directed by Aron Hegarty
Written by Sorcha Hegarty
Lighting Design by Dean Venture
Set Design by Sinead Purcell
Costume by Jude Stynes
Sound Design by Gavin Hennessy
Dramaturgy: Emmett Byrne
Puppet design: Jay Lambert
Puppetry Choreography by Jay Lambert
Cast: Aron Hegarty, Sorcha Hegarty,
Understudy: Catriona Loughlin (performing the 15th)
Shadow puppeteers: Marie Denham, Meg Woods, Lucey Smyth & Elena Brossa.
Music by Darragh Kenny, Audrey Trainor, Aoife Kavanagh & Emmet Byrne