Youth theatre production explores impact of climate change - Kilkenny Live

The near future. The climate emergency is gathering pace, and our generation is being judged. The jurors are young people. But are they delivering justice – or just taking revenge?

Following last year's successful run of Macbeth, Barnstorm’s Senior Youth Theatre returns to Ionad Dara, Goresbridge with their annual production - The Trials by Dawn King.

This year's production is directed by Andrew Dawson who is an exciting theatre maker with an array of experience to bring to this project. He is Artistic Director of A Very Good Place to Start Theatre Company, a company that has an emphasis on creating and developing high-end and engaging musical theatre in Ireland; and has worked with the Gate and Gaiety Theatres in Dublin.

“Over the past eight years, I've gained experience in a variety of different roles in the theatre industry (from lighting designer, stage management to producer and director). I love collaboration that is so important in the theatre Industry and I’m delighted with the challenge of working with Barnstorm” says the young director on his first outing with Kilkenny’s Youth Theatre.

This new play offers an exciting opportunity for theatre companies to address the climate emergency and intergenerational conflict, as the jury of teenagers hold the stage alongside adult defendants.

This timely and exciting production is presented in the now annual venue in Goresbridge and again has costume design by award winning Joan Brennan who last created the magnificent The Importance of Being Earnest in the Watergate Theatre in March. This time Joan will be upcycling materials to create the futuristic costumes for the actors.

The task of managing the entire production again falls to experienced Mags Whitely who is skilled on either side of the stage in Kilkenny with an array of acting, directing and stage management experience.

There are three performances on Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27 at 7.30 pm, with a matinee on Saturday at 3pm, in Ionad Dara, Goresbridge, R95 D654.

Tickets are €15 and €12 concession.

You can book online here https://www.gr8events.ie/barnstormtheatrethetrials