COPE Galway is to benefit from a theatrical performance in the city next week, when Fishamble present Forgotten, a solo piece for theatre which explores four characters, between the ages of 80-100 years old, who reside in care facilities and retirement homes.
Presented in a fusion of European and Japanese Kabuki theatrical styles, the piece is a dark and comical portrayal of the challenges facing older people in Ireland today. This is a special one night performance with all proceeds going to support COPE Galway’s Senior Support Services in Galway.
The award-winning Fishamble: The New Play Company is now in its seventh year of touring Ireland and abroad. It has been performed in more than 100 performances throughout Ireland and on tour to England, Scotland, US, France, Czech Republic, Iceland, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey, as well as in the U.S. to New York, Boston, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles.
Pat Kinevane says: ‘'I am very honoured to have this opportunity to support the wonderful work of COPE Galway. Because I believe nobody should be allowed to suffer alone – no one should be ignored. We cannot leave anyone behind.'
Fintan Maher of COPE Galway said “I cannot thank Pat and Fishamble enough for bringing Forgotten to Galway in aid of our services. Following the wonderful night we had in February when Pat performed Silent I was thrilled when Pat suggested doing a one off performance of Forgotten in aid of our senior support services here in Galway.”
Fishamble: The New Play Company has been at the centre of new work in Irish theatre for 23 years. It has won numerous awards for its productions which have toured extensively in Ireland, as well as to the UK, US, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Iceland, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey. Fishamble’s future plans include the continued Irish tour of Silent, as well as touring to the UK to Hotbed Festival Cambridge and Brighton Festival and a US premiere in New York and Irish and international touring of The Wheelchair on My Face by Sonya Kelly.
Pat Kinevane is one Ireland’s best loved actors. He has worked as an actor in theatre, film, radio and television for the past twenty years. Most recently he appeared in a short Shoe, shortlisted among the last ten for Best Short Film at this year’s Academy Awards, the Oscars.
COPE Galway provides a range of services to older people to enable them to remain living in their own homes for longer. Their services include community catering meals service which delivers some 200 meals daily, Sonas Day Centre in Mervue and their community development projects in the Renmore and Headford Road areas of the city. The services are provided by paid staff and volunteers and they are developed in consultation with older people. Volunteers working with older people provide a range of activities such as art, music, yoga, and craft programmes.
Tickets for the performance on Tuesday April 17 are available from the box office at the Town Hall on 091 569777 or online at www.tht.ie
