BENEFIT

PRESENTED as part of Pavilion21

WHEN | TUESDAY 21 JUNE 2022 | 8.00PM
TICKETS | €25
WHERE | Pavilion Theatre, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin
www.paviliontheatre.ie

Emma O’Kane was an exceptionally gifted artist who moved effortlessly across artforms and media. This special evening honoured her unique artistry, with proceeds being donated to the bursary founded in her name. Thank you to all those who attended.

Curated by Muirne Bloomer, with actor Mark O’Regan as MC – this eclectic, star-studded event crossed many artforms and featured live performances by singer/songwriter Alyth McCormack with dancer Donking Rongavilla, David Bolger and Ivonne Kalter for CoisCéim Dance Theatre, composer/pianist Conor Linehan,  comedian Katherine Lynch, singer Kathy Gleeson, members of Kíla, dancer Linzi Cowap, singer Lydia O’Kane, actor Pat Kinevane with singer Alex Sharpe for Fishamble: The New Play Company, actor/writer Shane O’Reilly, dancers Robyn Byrne, Aoife McAtamney and Jessie Thompson for Emma Martin’s United Fall, and broadcaster/writer Vincent Woods.

 

 

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Curator | Muirne Bloomer
Lighting | Eamon Fox
Hair & Makeup | Val Sherlock
Production Manager | Martin Cahill
Sound Engineer | Alexis Nealon
AV Engineer | Michael Stapleton
Stage Managers | Barbara Hughes, Stephanie Ryan
Stage Technician | Sarah Keane
Graphic Design | Siobhan Griffin
LX Supply | QLX Lighting
Catering | Luncheonette
Producer for the Pavilion | Hugh Murray
Producers for the Emma O’Kane Bursary | Sarah Latty & Bridget Webster

Pavilion21 is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

 

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Muirne Bloomer is from Dublin. She has had an extensive performance career in ballet, contemporary and dance theatre both at home and abroad, working with Dublin City Ballet, Vienna Ballet Theatre, Rubato Ballet, Dance Theatre of Ireland, Holland Show Ballet, Irish Modern Dance Theatre and CoisCéim Dance Theatre. Muirne choreographed INO’s productions of Rossini’s Le Cenerentola (nominated for Best Production Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards 2020), Brian Irvine and Netia Jones’s Least Like The Other – Searching for Rosemary Kennedy and Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. Other choreographic work includes Hamlet (St Anne’s Warehouse NYC), Look Back in Anger, The Great GatsbyPrivate LivesLittle WomenArcadia and Dancing at Lughnasa (Gate Theatre); DonegalYou Never Can TellShe Stoops to Conquer, A Doll’s HouseCavalcadersDrama at Inis and The Tempest (Abbey Theatre); Dandy Dolls and Gulliver’s Travels (Peacock Theatre); PageantThe Ballet RuseAs You Are, The TrainThe Making of ’Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Wallflowering, Hue and Cry, Moment and The Star Child (Project Arts Centre); Verdi’s Rigoletto (Opera Theatre Company); Red Riding HoodSsh! We Have A Plan, Duck and Death and the Tulip (Lyric Theatre); Egg (Lincoln Center, New York); Nivelli’s War (New Victory Theater, New York); Pinocchio and The Incredible Book Eating Boy (The MAC, Belfast); The World festival of Families (Croke Park, 2018); Laochra (GAA 1916 Commemoration, Croke Park); Intimate Details and Golf Swing (Opening Ceremony of Ryder Cup, K Club); A Dash of Colour (Special Olympics Opening Ceremony, Croke Park); and Rock Rivals (ITV).

Ályth is a singer, songwriter, actor, and filmmaker known for her pure voice and diversity. She was brought up on the Isle of Lewis in the Scottish Outer Hebrides but now lives in Ireland. In addition to her solo career, Ályth has been the featured singer with The Chieftains for the last 15 years. 

“Ályth McCormack loves singing, and lets you know that without telling you. You can hear it in her voice”  The List.

www.alyth.net

Conor studied piano at the Royal Irish Academy of Music with Therese Fahy and in London with Professor Peter Feuchtwanger. He has written scores for theatre companies including CoisCéim, Druid, The Abbey, The Royal Shakespeare Company, The British National Theatre, The Gate Theatre, the Lyric Theatre Belfast, Liverpool Playhouse, Hampstead Theatre, The Corn Exchange and Siren Productions. Recent productions include Richard the Third and Sive for Druid, Woyzeck in Winter for Landmark/Galway International Arts Festival and Dublin by Lamplight for Corn Exchange at the Abbey Theatre. Conor has solo piano commissions for the 2018 Dublin International Piano Competition and the renowned British pianist Joanna MacGregor which she performed on her 2015 Irish tour. Conor was 2018 Musician in Residence for Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown . As a pianist he has performed as soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, The RTÉ ConcertOrchestra, The Dublin Philharmonic and The Crash Ensemble. He is a member of the WhistleBlast Quartet. Conor is on the piano faculty of the Royal Irish Academy of Music.

Donking Rongavilla is a Street Dancer and Actor from the Philippines, and has been based in Ireland since 2002. He started his professional dance career at 16, and later he went on to become a choreographer, break-dancer, acrobatic teacher, actor and music video dance director.

Acting credits include LOVE ROSIE with Lily Collins, HERSELF produced by Sharon Horgan, Television credits include THE VIKINGS, LOVE HATE, RAW, ASHLING’S DIARY, GRAND OPENING, THE ORCHARD THIEVES and EIR SPORTS ads. He featured in BALLET CHANCERS with Monica Loughman Ballet in 2008 and many more…

He represented Ireland in the world hip-hop championship in the USA 2006, 2007 and 2012 and was awarded Ireland’s Dance Masters Choreographer of the Year(2011). 

Choreography credits include the award-winning Bollywood short film MOORE STREET MASALA and RTÉ’s TINA TIMES TWO (Dyehouse Films). He has been the Assistant Choreographer for the Gaiety Panto every year since 2016

Donking made his CoisCéim debut in AGNES and worked with David Bolger on RTÉ’S CENTENARY 2016. Uncle Ray 2021 and one of the dancers for Orfeo Ed Euridice 2022 with the collaboration of Black Valley Opera Festival in Waterford 2022

This is my first time to be involved in a bursary, and I’m privileged to meet and work with Emma O’Kane. I’ve learned a lot from her. And I have the best laugh working with Emma in cois ceim, she is an incredible dancer, humble heart with a  gentle spirit 

Irish Wheelchair Association is one of Ireland’s leading representative organisations and service providers for people with physical disabilities. We were founded on the belief that everyone should be able to live a life of choice and equality. IWA’s youth service supports young adults to plan clubs, projects and activities of their choice, with the underlying ethos of supporting young people with disability to become involved in every aspect of Irish life. Our ‘Northside Legends’ young adult club is a diverse, creative and positive group of young adults whose passion for dance was ignited by the very special Emma O’Kane.

Katherine Lynch  is an actress and Comedian. She has had several television series broadcast on RTÉ with titles like Working Girls, Wonder-women, Single Ladies and Wagons Den.  She’s been a contestant on Dancing with the Stars and has worked in musicals and theatres in the UK and Ireland. 

She’s very proud to be part of the celebration of Emma’s life.

www.katherinelynch.tv

Kathy Gleeson is a singer from Irishtown, Dublin. She is an amateur artist and has performed and sang in varied productions curated by Muirne Bloomer as part of The Dockers & Demons Festival that takes place in Irishtown and Ringsend annually. It was through this festival that Kathy met Emma O’Kane and had the good fortune to witness her work and her artistry.

She was honoured to be invited to sing Olaruf Arnald’s ‘Particles’ for ‘The Dance of The Light’ performed and choreographed by Emma. Directed by Muirne Bloomer and with musical arrangement and accompaniment by Conor Linehan. It was filmed on location at The Ringsend Bottle Makers Hall in October 2020. 

Linzi Cowap: Theatre: ‘Vanessa’, Cover and Played Ariel’, “The Little Mermaid” (Gaiety Theatre)‘Conchita Flangita’,‘Éirevision’ (Gaiety Theatre) ‘So-Shy’, “Aladdin” (Gaiety Theatre) ‘Kaz’, “Tinder, a Musical Comedy” (UK Tour)’Grab-bags’ “The Snow Queen” (Gaiety Theatre) ‘Dance Captain/Ensemble’, “The Wizard Of Oz”(Cork Opera House) ‘Dance Captain/ensemble/Cover Wanda’”Rapunzel” (Gaiety Theatre) ‘Ronnie Boylan/Dance Captain/Ensemble’ in “Annie” (Cork Opera House) ‘Dance Captain/Ensemble/cover Maid Marian’ “Robin Hood” (Gaiety Theatre) ‘Goldilocks/Dance Captain’ “Little Red Riding Hood” (Gaiety Theatre) ‘Zelda’ “Singin’ in the Rain” (Cork Opera House) ‘Ensemble/cover Surfia’ “I, Keano” (Olympia Theatre) ‘Ensemble/Cover Wendy’ “Peter Pan” (Gaiety Theatre)‘Ensemble/cover Marty, Patty, Jan’ “Grease” (Gaiety Theatre)‘Amber’ “Hairspray” (Cork Opera House) ‘Ensemble/cover Marty/Patty’ in “Grease” (Cork Opera House) ‘Ensemble/ cover Snow White/Evil Queen’ “Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs” (Gaiety Theatre)‘Ensemble’ “Aida” (Gaiety Theatre)‘Ensemble/cover Velma’ “Westside Story” (Gaiety Theatre) Cinderella,Robinson Crusoe,Sleeping Beauty, Mother Goose, Jack and The Beanstalk, Beauty and The Beast and Aladdin (The Gaiety Theatre) Tours: ‘Miss Kate’, (Electric Picnic, Love Sensation, Beatyard 2019), Daniel O’Donnell’s World Tour 2016 ( Daniel’s Strictly Come Dancing partner/Dance Captain), Peter Corry’s Celtic Rhythm’s Dutch Tour and numerous Tony Kenny’s Ireland Us Tours. Television/Film Credits include: ‘Cherry’, (Galway Film Fleadh), Daniel O’Donnell PBS Special, Laochra, Aprės Match, Penny Dreadful,The Late Late Show, The Saturday Night Show, Eurosong 2013/2010/2008  The IFTA Awards, 2013/2011, Fame The Musical, The Tudors, Eurovision Song Contest 2005, You’re a Star.

Mark O’Regan has been working in Irish theatre, film and tv for over 30 years. He has appeared in all the main Dublin theatres including the Gate, Abbey, Gaiety and Olympia. He has toured abroad to Tokyo,Hong Kong, Edinburgh and New York. Favourite recent stage roles include Eddie Hogan in Circle of Friends, Laman Griffin in Angela’s Ashes the Musical and Charles Giteau in Sondheim’s Assassins. Film and TV work includes The Commitments, Leap Year, series 1 and 2 of Blood with Adrian Dunbar and he’s just finished filming The Land of Saints and Sinners with Liam Neeson. Mark is delighted to be hosting this evening’s celebration for Emma with whom he worked with on many occasions

Cobhman Pat has worked as an Actor for 33 years in Theatre, Film, Tv and Radio.  Pat won an Olivier Award in 2016 for his solo Silent. A Helen Hayes Award followed in Washington DC 2020.  His Multi-Award Winning Forgotten, Underneath and Before are also produced by Fishamble, all directed by Jim Culleton. Pat’s new piece King will have it’s World Premiere in 2023. Forever grateful to Fishamble, Pat continues touring Ireland and Internationally with his work.

www.fishamble.com

Shane O’Reilly is an actor and a writer. 

Shane’s recent theatre writing work includes: swansong (Barnstorm Theatre Company) windowpane (The Abbey Theatre; Dear Ireland); Gold in the Water (Coming in 2023); The Water Boys (Equinox Theatre); Näher…closer, nearer, sooner (Liz Roche Company); FOLLOW, FARM and CARE (co-created with WillFredd Theatre); The Matador (Show in a Bag) The Genealogy Project (development showing at The Abbey Theatre, 2017). 

Shane’s film writing includes: PAL (Culture Night 2020); Näher (co-created with Liz Roche and directed by Alan Gilsenan). He is currently in development with Equinox and KCat on a new experimental documentary film. 

As an actor Shane has performed with The Abbey Theatre, The Gate Theatre, Rough Magic, Druid, Landmark, Barnstorm and Prime Cut along with other Irish and international companies.

Val has worked as a hair and makeup artist as well as a wigmaker for a quarter of a century. As well as television, film and advertising work, Val has worked for all major theatre companies in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Val has had the pleasure of working across all aspects of theatre, opera, contemporary dance, and ballet. He has worked on multiple productions for the Lyric Theatre, Druid, Rough Magic Theatre Company, CoisCéim Dance Theatre, Fishamble: The New Play Company, the Abbey Theatre/Peacock Theatre, The Corn Exchange and Landmark Productions, amongst others.

Vincent is a well-known broadcaster and writer who has presented many arts and cultural programmes on RTÉ Radio 1. His plays for stage include ‘At The Black Pig’s Dyke’ and ‘A Cry from Heaven’ and radio plays include ‘Broken Moon’ and ‘Last Supper at the Imperial Hotel’. He has published several collections of poetry and is a regular reader of his work in public, both in Ireland and internationally. He has worked extensively with musicians and been part of stage shows which mix music and spoken word. With the dancer and film-maker Edwina Guckian he co-directed ‘Bealach an Fhéir Ghortaigh/Hunger’s Way’, a film exploring poetic responses to Ireland’s famine experience. He has won many awards for his work and is a member of Aosdána.

ABOUT THE EMMA O’KANE BURSARY

The Emma O’Kane Bursary is a new award for independent artists who want to think beyond the boundaries of their art form and practice and to explore dance or a physical language in their work. It honours the exceptional ethos and artistic practice of artist Emma O’Kane who died in 2021.

‘Go big or go home’ was an Emma expression. She would say it to encourage (and challenge) those she worked with to be ambitious and brave about what they wanted to achieve artistically. Emma believed in people’s potential and in trying things out. She was never afraid of failure. The purpose of the bursary, why it exists and its unique contribution to artists, aims to capture this essence.

BURSARY PARTNERS

Launched on 25 November 2021, bursary partners include: ANU Productions, CoisCéim Dance Theatre, Crash Ensemble, Dublin Dance Festival, Fishamble: The New Play Company, Pavilion Theatre, Project Arts Centre, The Ark together with a number of independents artists and producers and was established with the support of an Arts Council Collaborative Capacity Building Grant.