Drive and ambition in the face of adversity
THE Italian opera Pagliacci is the most ambitious show to ever be staged at the Everyman in Cork (the venue has just been re-branded from the ‘Everyman Palace Theatre’). The production, a collaboration between the Everyman and Cork Operatic Society, stars soprano Cara O’Sullivan and will see a cast of over 100, including a full symphony orchestra, take over the building from June 20-26 as part of the Cork Midsummer Festival.
Pagliacci is co-directed by Michael Barker-Caven, the artistic director of the Everyman, and conductor John O’Brien. The two agreed that Leoncavallo’s classic commedia opera would be the perfect vehicle for a large-scale show featuring singers, musicians, clowns, circus acts and a choir. Their production will turn the Everyman into an interactive funfair in which the audience and artistes can mingle. Some of the seating will be removed to allow for mobility.
The Everyman is one of just four producers in the country that was granted an Arts Council Award for opera productions. “Without the award, we couldn’t produce this opera,” says Barker-Caven.
“It’s deliberately ambitious. Musical drama is immensely important to me and is an important part of the cultural life of Cork city. There’s a sense at the moment that it has been watered down. Opera has become an elitist concept, which is so wrong. John and I want people to come and embrace the art form. From the moment the audience comes in the front door of the building, there will be the sense of being at a fair.” A fantastical troupe of ‘Italian’ clowns and musical performers will materialise to enact their play-within-a-play. The drama centres round the tragedy of a marriage torn apart by infidelity.
Barker-Caven, who took up his position at the Everyman late last year, has a number of initiatives in train aimed at supporting local theatre artistes. “I’m introducing a new process called ‘Cork Shorts’. We will be co-producing short plays from different companies in Cork which will be performed before the main productions.
“It will be like showing a short before the main feature at a cinema. This will enable companies to work in a large scale theatre without feeling they have to fill 650 seats. We believe this development is unique to Cork. It’s all part of the strand of bringing new local writers into the building.”
Another opportunity for Cork writers is a competition entitled ‘The Day JFK’. Barker-Caven is inviting local writers to pen a play that will be staged next year, which is the 50th anniversary of US president John F Kennedy’s visit to Cork in 1963.
“I’d like to suggest to writers that they question what those 50 years have been about in terms of the history of the city and the residue that may have been left behind as a result of JFK’s visit. It can be a personal story or a greater story. The winner will receive some money and they will be brought in to work with me on a full draft of their play.”
In keeping with Barker-Caven’s hands-on approach to his role at the Everyman, he is also introducing the Playroom. “The Playroom is a space in the building where theatre artistes can come in and explore their work privately with me. The idea is to develop people’s craft and produce work which can be staged.”
From July, Cork playwright and screenplay writer, Carmel Winters (B for Baby and Snap) will be the Everyman’s artist-in-residence. Also, Cork writer Tony O’Sullivan is currently developing a musical about the effect of the closure of Fords on the city.
All this activity is set against the backdrop of decreasing financial resources. This is manifesting itself in a dearth of touring plays. “A lot of touring companies are losing confidence because their grants are being cut by the Arts Council. There is a disconnect around what is happening between audiences and some elements of the theatre community that are producing work that maybe isn’t suitable for touring.”
The Everyman summer programme includes the return of Guerilla Days in Ireland by Tom Barry, adapted by Neil Pearson. The Cha & Miah Farewell Laughter Show also opens on Jul 12.
The Girl Who Forgot To Sing Badly opens on Jun 28. “It’s a highly acclaimed piece of family theatre by local artist, Louis Lovett. Our plan is to develop quality pieces about family themes because that is something that is under-resourced in the city.”
Looking ahead to September, Druid will be bringing two Tom Murphy plays, Conversations on a Homecoming and A Whistle in the Dark to the Everyman as part of its DruidMurphy programme.
“Druid is an example of a company that successfully bridges the gap between companies and venues by producing work that excites our audiences.”
* See www.everymanpalace.com
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