Ready, steady, go! Kilkenny theatre company takes on "Hare & Tortoise"

Who’s the fastest? Who’s the winner? Excitable, energetic Hare or patient, peaceful Tortoise? Ready? Steady? Go!

Kilkenny's Barnstorm Theatre Company opened its latest production, a heartwarming and enchanting adaptation of the beloved Aesop’s fable, Hare & Tortoise, on February 24. The show, reimagined by award-winning playwright Brendan Murray, will run until March 14 at The Bank (former KBC bank premises) on the Parade in Kilkenny (R95 Y672). The show stars Leanne Bickerdike as Tortoise and Éanna Grogan as Hare.

"The characters are both very unique and bring two fun but different energies to the play, which I think the kids are really going to love", said Leanne, who has just finished production on "Dublin Riots" in the Axis Theatre as part of a commemorative piece for the one-year anniversary of the Dublin riots.

Éanna, a graduate of The Lir Academy, feels very lucky to be working on such a high-quality production so close to home. “Hare & Tortoise reminds us that imagination knows no age limits, leaving both children and adults reflecting on the beauty of seeing the world through fresh eyes," said the Clonmel native. "The energy of Hare brought out the inner child I had long forgotten.”

Hare & Tortoise is also the first production for young audiences by Barnstorm’s new artistic director, Janice De Bróithe. “I am excited to be bringing my first Barnstorm production to the young audiences of Kilkenny. This is a gentle story for little ones, ideal for schools age four to seven. Hare & Tortoise are fantastic characters that children will absolutely identify with, and it's full of fun energy and imagination and sure and sure to bring a smile to everyone's face," said Janice. 

School shows are on weekdays at 10am and noon until Friday, March 14. To book in your junior and senior infants and first class, ring Barnstorm at 056-7751266. Family shows take place on Sunday, March 9 at 1pm and 3pm, and can be booked on Eventbrite. Tickets are only €10 and teachers and SNAs are free. Booking details are on barnstorm.ie/hare-tortoise.