12-hour stage show set to bring classic novel to life
Mon, March 12, 2018
A unique presentation of one of American literature’s most iconic novels is coming to Limavady this month.
The 31 chapters from the Harper Lee classic ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ will be presented by people from all walks of life over a 12 hour period on Wednesday 21st March in Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre.
Work on the ‘Book Your Chapter!’ initiative began earlier this year with a call for performers which resulted in an overwhelming response from members of the community, arts organisations and individuals. Aged from 8 - 78, students, unemployed, professionals, retirees, carers and grandads will take to the stage to show their love for the novel.
Limavady Reading Group, Big Telly Theatre Company, Kabosh Theatre Company, Spark Opera, The Makeyuppers, D'sign Deaf Arts Group, Thornhill College, Coleraine College, and The Helen O' Grady Drama Academy are among the groups taking part.
Looking ahead to the event, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Joan Baird OBE said: “This unique concept has really captured the imagination and we are looking forward to welcoming all our participants on March 21st for this very exciting multicultural and multi-art form event.”
Highlights will include Atticus' final summation in defence of Tom Robinson performed by prominent Limavady solicitor Peter Jack and interactive theatre from circus performer and actor Gweneth Doherty. Gaelcholáiste Dhoire will dramatise a chapter through Irish while D'sign will use sign-language. Individual readers include poetic performer Niall Ó Maoinín, South African poet Nandi Joel and Simone Coetse who will use a chapter to express personal experience of apartheid in South Africa with her daughter. Donegal duo Great White Lies will use music and animation, Beyond Skin will present a chapter in Spanish with musical accompaniment and songwriter Rachel Mc Cabe will create a bespoke musical interpretation.
Myra Zepf, Children's Writing Fellow for Northern Ireland, said: “This is a truly unique project and one which challenges us out of a passive reading of a classic. Instead, we are invited to interpret, to respond and to take our rightful place as readers - as intellectual collaborators with the author.”
The event on Wednesday 21st March takes place across six two-hour sessions, each containing a number of chapter performances. It is completely free to watch but booking is advisable. Please ring Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre on 028 7776 0650.
Follow @Roe Valley Arts on Facebook or Twitter or go to www.roevalleyarts.com for further information.