Two men. Grandfather and Grandson. One born 1919. One born 1974. Dylan Quinn Dance Theatre’s new performance ‘My Grandfather’s House’ tells a uniquely intimate and local story. Opening on 15th July and running to the 30th, the audience will be invited into a specially constructed performance space on Quay Lane, Enniskillen.
Traversing the innocence of childhood memories from deep within his Grandfather’s House, juxtaposed against the chaos of the troubles in Northern Ireland during the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, Fermanagh based choreographer and performer Dylan Quinn explores his experiences of growing up in a place of conflict.
“And they started bombing us, and they bombed us all the way towards Malta, heavy bombing it was, very terrible heavy bombing. Never seen as much black air in the sky in all my life.” Brendan Burns, Irish man and Royal Marine 1935 – 1949.
Recalling the horror of witnessing explosions as a young boy, to the playful joy of the 1989 St Joseph’s Christmas Concert and on to the classic days of the Vintage, this highly personal creative reflection will recall the reality of growing up in this place we call home and ask us to consider its future.
Artistic Director Dylan Quinn added; “I was interested in exploring my sense of belonging to this place and how this had been influenced by my grandparents and in particular my maternal Grandfather. I was fortunate to know and have loved all of my Grandparents. And in my Granda Burns case I identified with what I felt was both a strong sense of belonging and being slightly separate or separated from this home place. For me this becomes particularly apparent when we review my life, between the collapse of the Sunningdale Agreement in the year I was born 1974, and the establishment of the Good Friday Agreement when I turned 24 in 1998.”
An audience of 4 per show will be transported back to 1970’s Belmore Street in a performance space specially constructed by Jon Kelly. Through theatre, movement and music the audience will interact and be engaged by the memories and experiences that are shared.
Working with composer, vocal artist and long-term collaborator Andy Garbi, to curate a companion sound installation, there will be space for the audience’s own private contemplations whilst sitting within ‘My Grandfather’s House’.
This unique immersive event will take place in 2 parts: a performance presented daily between the 15th and the 30th of July, and the sound installation which will be open to the pubic between performances. Tickets for the performance and details can be found on www.dylanquinndance.com.
‘My Grandfather’s House’ is supported by the National Lottery via the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, The Reconciliation Fund Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Experience Enniskillen. The performance was originally developed through a Commemoration Attachment at the Abbey Theatre/Amharclann na Mainistreach.
ENDS
Production Details
Produced by Dylan Quinn Dance Theatre Artistic Director: Dylan Quinn Devised and Performed by: Dylan Quinn
Sound Installation: composer and vocal artist Andy Garbi
Set: Jon Kelly
Publicity Images: Sarah Little, Liberty Studios
Further enquiries Dylan Quinn admin@dylanquinndance.org 028 66328686
www.dylanquinndance.com