Actor Evanne Kilgallon introduces An Lár, the new musical play that marks her playwriting debut, coming to Dublin's Glass Mask Theatre for the Christmas season.
Having graduated from the Institute of the Arts Barcelona in 2021, I ventured home and was fortunate enough to find myself in the actors' ensemble at the Glass Mask Theatre. After performing in three new Irish plays, the Artistic Director Rex Ryan challenged me to write the closing play of 2022 for the theatre.
I had never written an entire play before. A scene here and there, but mainly my writings consisted of searching poetry and satirical prose. Although many a play idea bumped impatiently against my skull, I didn't know if I could actually bring a piece to completion on paper, let alone stand up and stage it! But Rex’s faith in me as a company member and friend bolstered me into action. Why shouldn’t I write a play? Ach, céard faoi?
Initially I wanted to highlight some of the fierce women in my family, but I soon realised I needed an eight strong cast and full scale choreography to fulfill my so called 'vision’. If anyone has been to Glass Mask Theatre, they will know that this is an impossibility, as the space is of boutique size and the audience practically shares the stage with you (a rousing risk for any actor), so I have shelved that idea until the time is right.
I am superb at procrastinating unless the threat of exposure is imminent.
I dipped once again into the pool of belief and stumbled upon an idea... A bilingual Pagan purgatory play! Not the most straightforward concept, but it made perfect sense to me. My grá for Gaeilge and need to reconnect to it could be utilised. My desire to understand ár dtír’s Pagan roots explored and my own fascination and recent experience with death knitted out theatrically.
I set out to work, albeit very slowly and with resistance.
You see, I am superb at procrastinating unless the threat of exposure is imminent. Besides, something entirely new was happening to my inner world which was spilling out into a work that was to be shared with others, and I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about that. However, I ploughed and planted and now in the harvest, I find that my debut musical play has sprouted.
Set in an ancient Irish purgatory, An Lár follows Dorchas as she endeavors to clear her name for a crime committed hundreds of years ago. Her efforts are interrupted by the newly dead (and in denial) Solas. The jarring sparring pair team up to travel upstream in search of absolution and liberation, while contending with mythological creatures, malevolent spirits and mystical storms.
Old Ireland meets new in 80 minutes of uninterrupted theatre, with some musical numbers for added measure - come and join us!
An Lár is at Glass Mask Theatre on Dawson Street, Dublin from November 30th - December 17th (Previews on the 28th & 29th) - find out more here.
