Co-Author Áine Ryan introduces From Out The Land, an epic new production coming this September that traces the journey of over a hundred years in Clonmel's military life, inspired by the experiences of Irish soldiers and their families, and the largest theatrical event ever produced in Tipperary.
It is often a far flung dream as young theatre artists, to be tasked with creating a work of magnitude and scale in any location, never mind getting the opportunity to invent a spectacle that will be produced and presented in our home county.
From Out the Land happens to be exactly that - an outdoor theatrical spectacle for the new civic space in Clonmel, the former Kickham Barracks site which is set to be the largest theatrical production to ever take place within the county, and a major component of the national ART:2023 Decade of Centenaries programme, and it is being produced by Clonmel Junction Arts.
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Listen: The makers of From Out The Land talk to RTÉ Arena
Blending history with both imagination and inspiration from true stories and real-life events that happened in the barracks, co-writer Jack Reardon and I have created a tapestry of drama, music and movement that encompasses three storylines related to Kickham Barracks within the last century, and takes a unique Clonmel and Tipperary angle on the national history of these periods.
The first story follows Will and Padraig who sign up to fight in World War One. Their story begins in Victoria Barracks, which has become Kickham Barracks by the time they leave. Based in experiences from the period of 1914-1923, it follows iconic events like the Easter Rising, Bloody Sunday and the Civil War from the perspective of soldiers in the barracks.
Watch: Day one of rehearsals on From Out the Land
The second story takes place years later, when a young man from the industrial school in Ferryhouse joins the Defence Forces. We follow Declan's career and life, focusing on his time serving in The Lebanon with the United Nations Peacekeeping forces in the 1980s. The final story is about Declan’s daughter Ella, and the efforts of the Wives and Partners group to keep Kickham Barracks open in 2012.
We wrote the scenes based on a range of stories that were told to us, and we are proud to have a play about the town, for the town and largely by the town, considering the unique contributions, perspectives and participation by the local Clonmel people.
Watch: From Out The Land - Music Director Kate Twohig introduces the citizen ensemble
The play itself couples a cast of seven professional actors alongside a large community ensemble which Clonmel Junction assembled from an open call in March. Over 100 local people are involved and there’s a marching band and live musicians.
The professional cast includes Liz FitzGibbon, Éanna Grogan, Dylan Kennedy, Ciara Laste, Julie Maguire, Cathal Ryan and Darragh Shannon.
Set in the barracks itself, there is also an epic design team overseeing a spectacular set (by Jack Scullion), ambitious lighting (from Eoin Lennon) and stunning original music and choreography by local artists Kate Twohig and Shane Dempsey respectively, with Clonmel native Jack Reardon also directing this explosive production.
From Out The Land is at Kickham Barracks, Clonmel, with a preview on Thursday, 31st August, and runs from Saturday 2nd - Sunday 10th September - find out more here.
