In celebration of St. Brigid’s Day 2021, the Hawk’s Well Theatre is delighted to present Creating CONSTANCE, an intimate unplugged session performed by the Constance Ensemble on the Hawk’s Well Theatre stage.
Creating Constance
Hawk’s Well Brings Constance to Global Audience
Creating CONSTANCE - Actor - Nichola MacEvilly
In an exciting collaborative event, the theatre has partnered with IMBOLC International Arts Festival to bring this riveting documentary to audiences locally and around the world. Creating CONSTANCE is a free but ticketed online event. It will stream 8pm, Friday 5th February 2021.
CONSTANCE, an original Hawk’s Well Theatre production, premiered in Lissadell Church, Sligo, December 2019 to rapturous acclaim. Sadly, like countless other productions, the highly anticipated national tour of CONSTANCE was cancelled due to the global pandemic.
Creating CONSTANCE offers a rare behind the scenes look at this exciting new production, celebrating the life and work of Constance de Markievicz, one of Ireland’s most enigmatic icons. Created by writer/director Kellie Hughes and composer/musician Michael Rooney in collaboration with the Constance Ensemble and developed in association with Hawk’s Well Theatre and IMBOLC festival.
A well-known yet illusive figure, the complexities, contradictions and above all, extraordinary humanity of Constance de Markievicz remains largely unknown. Reflecting on her life and legacy, Creating CONSTANCE features an octet of traditional Irish and classical musicians; Niamh Crowley, Stephen Doherty, David Doocey, John Joe Kelly, Clare Horler, Marie O’Byrne, Shaza O’Hara and Michael Rooney. Creating CONSTANCE combines original compositions by Michael Rooney with Constance’s prose and poetry; performed by actor Nichola MacEvilly to create a rich sonic experience that celebrates one of Ireland’s most iconic figures.
Creating CONSTANCE features interviews with playwright and director Kellie Hughes. She is Artistic Director and Theatre Director of UCD Ad Astra Academy, a highly trained theatre-artist with twenty years of professional experience as a director, writer, performer and collaborator. Her work has toured extensively both nationally and internationally.
Kellie says
“I found a beautiful letter to her brother Josslyn, where she tells him ‘My enemies will make a monster out of me, my friends a heroine and both will be equally wide of the truth’ and I thought that is such a prophetic statement. She really understood how she was going to be viewed and she went for it anyway”
On the exciting collaboration Maggie Maguire, programmer of Derry’s IMBOLC International Arts Festival, says
“We are really excited to present ‘Creating CONSTANCE’ in collaboration with Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo at the IMBOLC International Arts Festival 2021. We consistently aim to present new and innovative commissions by respected composers and collaborators. It is an honour to be bringing this unique musical celebration of Constance Markievicz, one of the most remarkable and influential women in Irish history. We look forward to bringing this production to a global audience”.
Imbolc marks the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the spring equinox. The festival marking the beginning of Spring is also known as St Brigid’s Day, traditionally held held on 1 February. A most fitting time to share this powerful and unique new production of Constance de Markievicz, presenting the artist, activist and revolutionary through her own words. Creating CONSTANCE is a FREE but ticketed event. It will stream 8pm, Friday 5th February 2021 and will be available for viewing for 48 hours. You can book your ticket for this special streamed event via the Hawk’s Well website or by emailing boxoffice@hawkswell.com.