The Kinsale based theatrical events company RSVP, is excited to present three short plays to a Drive in Theatre audience on Friday 10th July for Kinsale Arts Weekend (KAW). The 45-minute performance, which commences at 6pm, is on an outdoor stage, where the audience view the action from the safety of their own vehicle. For only €20 the car becomes the pod where a group of friends or family, or a lone driver can park within a designated viewing point, and then tune in to the audio on the radio. In this way the sound is captured at a distance behind the windscreen, but the performance remains live within view.
Writer-Director Yvonne Coughlan is excited to premiere two new plays, and to bring home a performance of Unfinished Portrait, which she originated at Corcadorca’s Theatre Development Centre, and which was previously enjoyed by audiences at Cork Arts Theatre. Though busy with voluntary duties as the Chair of the Board of Directors at Firkin Crane Theatre, and
Cork South West Co-ordinator for the National Campaign for the Arts, she is delighted to have the opportunity to engage with Kinsale Arts Weekend at a challenging time in the landscape of theatre history.
With so many events cancelled and theatres closed this is an exciting adaptation to the times we live in. RSVP and KAW ensure compliances not only for the physical health and safety of audiences, but also in support of mental health through the creation and sharing of theatre and engagement in the arts.
RSVP begin with life’s philosophical meanderings through, 6 minutes to Wonderland; then explore the passions of love lost with, Unfinished Portrait; and finally, hope conquers fear in the monologue performance, With Love... Writer/Director Yvonne Coughlan. Opening the show are newcomers to the RSVP team, Tadhg O’Rourke, who made his theatre debut with Shamrock Hill directed by Kathy Ann Murphy at Smock Alley Theatre. With a wealth of experience in film, music video and radio play performance following his training at Bow Street Academy and the National Screen Acting School of Ireland, Tadhg, as JACOB, is paired with Wexford actor, Saoirse Wadding-Hayes. A BA graduate of Media & Performance, Saoirse has credits in Ireland and the UK that include Bui Bolg Street Theatre, Red Moon Theatre, County Wexford Youth Theatre, Skibbereen Arts Week, The Royal Exchange-Manchester, Salford Arts Theatre, and Wexford Opera Fringe Festival. RSVP are delighted to tempt Saoirse back to Kinsale, where she studied drama with Ian and Belinda Wild, for the world premiere of 6 minutes to Wonderland, as Stephanie. The duo have rehearsed completely on Zoom, yet have somehow managed to foster a hilarious chemistry that will
have the audience flabbergasted by the fact that these two have only just become acquainted on the KAW stage.
The company is extremely happy to finally have the opportunity to work with a shining star of Kinsale’s Rampart Players, Caoilfhionn McDonnell taking the role of Giselle in Unfinished Portrait. A graduate of the Gaiety School of Acting and The Irish Film Academy, Caoilfhionn is partnered by Stephen Wyley, playing Solomon, a Kinsale FEC drama student, and a long-time favourite of RSVP. An equal and exciting match, the pair’s acting skills include Shakespearian theatre with a peppering of multi-award winning film in both resumes. This new coupling takes the audience on a thrilling emotional journey, infused
with sexual tension, but peppered with comic relief. Closing the show with a rip roaring, comical high energy performance is, Noelle Ní Ríagáin most recently seen on Britain's got Talent performing ‘Clay Heads’ with Visual Artist Tom Campbell. This home grown performance artist has trained locally and internationally in clown and physical theatre, and ensures an impactful final impression, to leave the RSVP presents at Kinsale Arts Weekend audience exhilarated and uplifted.
The company are delighted to have Liz Lynch as the Art Director, her creative flair ensures eye-catching costumes, and attention to detail in props creation and set dressing. Their KAW producer Carol McNamara has been travelling the world for years, but lucky for RSVP she has returned to Kinsale for 2020. RSVP are also very grateful to the KAW crew of Maxine Acton-Carey, Anna Mulcahy and Lisa O’Brien among others, and for all the fabulous volunteers, for making this a wonderful experience for all.
www.rsvpireland.net
The experience is in line with government guidelines. There are no toilet facilities at the venue. Tickets per car €20 + booking fee (up to 5 persons per car). To ensure prompt start times ticket holders are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to the event to park. Late arrivals cannot be facilitated due to the layout of the space. No pedestrian access to the venue.
Photo: John Allen Photography
