Over the past year the Linenhall Arts Centre has showcased a varied and diverse range of arts experiences and the latest offering is theatre production, Mustard, written and performed by artist Eva O’Connor.
Theatre is the artform that has perhaps been hit hardest during the pandemic and it may be one of the last to return to normal. Theatre artists have continued to defy expectations in the form of virtual experiences for their audiences and playwright and performer Eva O’Connor is one such artist. O’Connor will showcase her one-woman play, Mustard through the Linenhall Arts Centre’s on-demand platform on Thursday, April 29.
"I am absolutely thrilled to be coming to the Linenhall (virtually! ) with Mustard I wish I could be there in person, but I'm thrilled that the show is reaching Mayo audiences during such unpredictable times. It's been an incredibly challenging year for artists, emotionally, financially and creatively. I've really missed performing live, the buzz, the solidarity, the unpredictability," said O’Connor.
Mustard tells the story of E, a young Irish woman struggling to overcome a difficult relationship break-up, who is on the verge of madness, using mustard as a coping mechanism and as a means of self-harm.
Both funny and heartbreaking, the show has been winning acclaim across the sector for O’Connor’s performance and has been resonating with audiences particularly around the issues of mental health, prevalent now more than ever during this time.
The Linenhall team is looking forward to presenting their first theatre offering in 2021, through their online platforms. The show is 55mins and audiences will have between 6pm and 11pm to view the show.
"Everyone has a different artform that speaks to them and brings them comfort," says Director of the Linenhall, Bernadette Greenan. "We want to ensure that those who love theatre will continue to have access to new and exciting work from artists like Eva. It’s crucial to continue to support theatre artists, so that they can keep making work until things return to some kind of normality".
The show is presented by Fishamble: The New Play Company and Sunday's Child Theatre. Fishamble is the Olivier Award-winning, internationally acclaimed Irish theatre company who has previously brought theatrical gems to Mayo audiences including Pat Kinevane’s Forgotten, Underneath, Silent and Before as well as Dublin Fringe Little Gem Award winners Swing and The Humours of Bandon.
Jim Culleton, Artistic Director of Fishamble says: "Fishamble has a long history of touring productions to the Linenhall and I’m delighted to be working with our friends there. Thanks to the audiences who have been so loyal and enthusiastic over the past year.
"Mustard is a powerful, funny, and moving piece of award-winning theatre, so we hope the Linenhall audiences sit back, turn off their phones, pour a glass of wine or a cup of tea, and enjoy a great night at the theatre!"
The Linenhall has a wide variety of art workshops, engagements, interviews and performances available both through their website and on their YouTube Channel. See www.thelinenhall.com for tickets and more information.
