Renowned director delivers masterclass in physical theatre in Kilkenny

A leading director who has performed all over the world and spent most of his career with The Abbey Theatre and Druid, as well as in a host of well-known Irish films including The Banshees of Inisherrin recently delivered a workshop in Kilkenny as part of National Heritage Week.

Cavan native Aaron Monaghan is the artistic director of Livin’ Dred Theatre and ensemble member of Druid Theatre Company. He has received numerous awards including The Lucille Lortel Award, The Irish Times Theatre Award, The Manchester Evening News Award and most notably The OBIE for Outstanding Performance

Aaron recently travelled to Graignamanagh in Co. Kilkenny on where he facilitated a drama workshop on script analysis and physical theatre. The workshop was a celebration of the formal state recognition of the amateur drama tradition and its inscription on the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Theatre historian Dr. Fiona Brennan, whose submission resulted in the Irish Amateur Dramatic Tradition receiving this formal recognition and being inscribed to the national inventory alongside Gaelic football, the practice of weaving St. Brigid’s crosses and set dancing as part of Heritage Week, was curating a number of events across the country to celebrate this big honour for the amateur dramatic movement, of which this workshop was one.

The funding Fiona secured from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports & media and the National Monuments Service, resulted in the opportunity to host such a prestigious and highly sought after workshop Graignamanagh.

The local workshop co-ordinator was Edward Hayden.

The workshop, which took place during Heritage Week, had 25 participants with16 drama groups from around the region, and indeed around the country represented with participants travelling from Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath, Kildare, Dublin, Carlow, Waterford & Clare. These participants will now return to their respective drama groups and share the learning gleamed from Mr. Monagan.

Aaron, in this evening workshop, took participants through all elements of performance in the context of traditional Irish Dramatic Texts: from initial research, first readings, rehearsal process and performance. The workshop explored the physical and vocal elements of performance, incorporating movement and voice elements, as well as script analysis and character studies.

The evening concluded with a delicious fork supper and an opportunity for the group to mingle, share knowledge and immerse themselves fully with their drama peers.