After its premiere at the Galway International Arts Festival last year, theatre company Branar will tour its new show Story of a Day – Scéal Lae across Galway next month as part of a national programme.
Written by renowned children’s author Mary Murphy with an original score by award-winning composer Tom Lane, the production will be presented in both English and Irish language versions.
First stop is Amharclann Chois Fharraige in Inverin on February 6 and 7, followed by the Station House Theatre in Clifden on February 13, An Taibhdhearc in Galway City, February 16-18, and Tuam’s The Mall Theatre on February 27. In addition to these public performances, the show will also be presented in schools across Galway County.
Commissioned by Branar, Story of a Day – Scéal Lae follows a young boy (performed by Eoin Ó Dubhghaill ) from morning to bedtime as he navigates small wonders, big thoughts and the simple magic of daily life. It is a music-filled story of one child’s “nothing special happens kind of day” that turns the ordinary into the extraordinary through storytelling, animation and live music, performed by the ConTempo Quartet, in a collaboration between Branar and MusicConnects.
“I usually work in picture books, so creating Story of a Day with Branar was an exciting new approach to storytelling for me,” says Murphy. “Tom Lane’s music and Eoin Ó Dubhghaill’s performance lifted the work in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I hope children will immerse themselves in the show, and meet themselves in it, and that perhaps they can explore some of the themes, creating story and art for themselves.”
Marc Mac Lochlainn, Artistic Director of Branar, added: “We’re delighted to bring Story of a Day – Scéal Lae to children and families across Galway City and County in Branar’s 25th anniversary year. The piece captures the wonder of how children experience the world – their imagination, their questions, their ways of thinking and feeling.
“High-quality children’s theatre like this gives young audiences a chance to pause and reflect, to imagine, and to connect with others and with themselves. We want to share those experiences with children wherever they are – from major arts venues to community spaces and schools.”
Story of a Day – Scéal Lae is a 40 minute show for audience aged over four years old.
For tickets see www.Branar.ie
