David Bolger developed BALLADS out of a desire to come to terms with the emotional aspect the great Irish Famine of 1845. Using the power of dance to articulate beyond the spoken word, it captures the emotion of the real people who were caught up in this natural calamity and political holocaust which even today historians are keen to ignore. BALLADS sets out to explore defining emotional moments in the psyche of the Irish people. Tangible key objects are presented to us on this journey – a pair of boots, a mound of earth, the log books of ships that record our connection with the greater world beyond Ireland. We witness the manipulation of objects as symbols which transform themselves – a plank of wood becoming a door – an empty table – a platform to perform on- a gangplank.

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Gallery

Original Cast Ella Clarke, James Hosty, Diane O’Keefe, Simone Litchfield, Kevin Murphy, Liz Roche
Subsequent Cast Muirne Bloomer, Benjamin Dunks, Anne Gilpin, Robert Jackson, Simone Litchfield, Martin Nolan, Diane O’Keefe

Choreography & Direction David Bolger
Cello Music & Improvisations Diane O’Keefe
Music & Sound Designer Bell Helicopter
Lighting Designer Paul Keogan
Costume Designer Helen McCusker
Hair & Make-up Val Sherlock
Technical Manager Eamon Fox
Stage Manager Catherine Nealon