“Not alone does it bring story and drama directly to us but it shows, by its very existence, the transforming power of the arts in the lives of those involved. I have not been as moved or as energised in a very long time and I was not alone.”
Peter Sheridan, writer
was staged in the OLV Building in July 2016
Over 2 days participants presented ‘1916 Kids’ to a full house. Participants spent the majority of 2015 researching the 1916 Rising. The production involved performances from many newcomers. Tommy KD opened the show with a rap about the Rising.
Watch a short video from production above.
After a long rest Get Stoned was recast for a new audience
To mark the official handover of funds raised from our performance of A Hundred Years Ago we performed Get Stoned in May 2014, at the Dublin Simon Social Club in Capel Street. For some participants this was their first live performance. The performance was warmly received by the Dublin Simon group.
The cheque of €1,487.30 was accepted by Sam McGuinness for Dublin Simon Community.
Get Stoned was written and directed by Mick Egan.
RTE auditions
RADErs auditioned for the next series of ‘Love/Hate’ on Friday 11th April. Casting director Maureen Hughes visited the project and worked through a small section of the script with participants. Eight participants in total were selected for Series 5, with two participants receiving speaking parts. Series 5 of ‘Love/Hate’ is due to be aired on RTÉ in the Autumn. Our lips are sealed on storylines!
Music recording in Dublin studio
Working with writer Malcolm MacClancy, the group wrote new lyrics to well-known Irish ballads which were used in the production of A Hundred Years Ago. These songs were later recorded in a professional studio. These songs are available on CD.
Highlights from the rehearsals and performances of A Hundred Years Ago
A Hundred Years Ago explores the dramatic events that evolved through the autumn of 1913 when ordinary workers took a stand with Jim Larkin against the employers of Dublin city and the subsistent wages that held them in slavery.
The play, that includes both jaunty and haunting ballad songs, is delivered with bawdy and raucous humour. The food kitchens, proselytizers and Monto girls all come to life, as do families and workers struggling to survive in the slum tenements. Here you will find the Dubliners’ irreverent wit, chiseled from their ancestors and presented, warts and all, by the RADE Company in their distinctive style.
Much of the dialogue for this year’s show has been compiled from our creative writing class, which gives the drama a tangible and authentic voice when addressing this exciting and conflicting period in Dublin’s history. Mick Egan is responsible for the script collaboration.
This production was staged in Smock Alley Theatre in September 2013, the OLV Building during the month of December, Farmleigh House in April 2014, and for a benefit night for Dublin Simon Community in March 2014. The play also featured at the Addiction Festival run by THEATREclub and Depaul Ireland in March 2014.
The original production, staged in Smock Alley Theatre, included all RADE participants. The cast was later reduced to 8 to allow the play to tour.
To mark the end of the Lockout centenary celebrations we performed ‘A Hundred Years Ago’ in Liberty Hall Theatre
Above is the full live performance on film. All proceeds raised from ticket and book sales were donated to Dublin Simon Community.
At this performance Dublin rapper Tommy KD sang a beautiful version of ‘The Kiddies Scheme Song’
Choral tunes rang out during rehearsals in RADE
Musician and composer Séan Millar collaborated with RADE on a songcycle for theatre, entitled The Last Ten Years, which combines choral music and ritual performance to consider various aspects of our attitudes towards pain relief, medication and the legal and illegal drug trade. The atmospheric St. Patrick’s Cathedral was the setting for the performance which sonically creates something magical crossing the line between theatre and actual living experience.
This production was also performed in Liberty Hall Theatre with Minister Róisín Shorthall TD in attendance.
The first staging of The Last Ten Years in May was a great success. The feedback was very positive and supportive. This prompted us to enter the Dublin Fringe Festival.
President Michael D. Higgins and Mrs. Sabina Higgins visit RADE
Particpants, President and Mrs. Higgins
RADE were delighted to host the President and his wife on Friday 25th November in RADE’s premises. It was a great honour, particularly given his long history as a powerful voice supporting the two significant areas that affect our programme: the Arts and the underclass.
RADE participants performed a short 10-minute theatre piece, Get Stoned, for the President and exhibited their artwork. Artists and community leaders were in attendance on the day.
Social Inclusion Week in Dublin City Council
Get Stoned, written and directed by Mick Egan, was performed at the Woodquay Venue. The production was later performed at the International Drug Conference in Dublin and at RADE’s Open Theatre Week in the OLV Building. This production enabled a number of participants to perform both acting and singing. Jenna learnt how to play the ukulele for these performances.
No pun intended!
Raders of the Lost Art was written and directed by Mick Egan. Mick worked with the group through the stories of The Táin. The show was performed in the Project Arts Centre, Axis in Ballymun, Ballyfermot Community Centre, the Pavilion in Dún Laoghaire, and Draíocht in Blanchardstown. This was the first time RADE brought one of their plays on tour.
Bringing old Irish Myth to the Stage
Using Thomas Kinsella’s Tain Bó Cuailgne, wirter/director Mick Egan transformed this legendary tale from early Irish history to create a funny and engaging stage play. The production premiered in The Project Arts Centre and later played in numerous venues throughout Dublin including Axis Theatre Ballymun, Draiocht Blanchardstown, Pavilion Dun Laoghaire and Ballyfermot Community Centre to name a few.
RADEr’s designed and created the props, set and costumes for this production.
Performing for the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese
Guest of Honour in 2007
Cast with President
President McAleese was RADE’s 2007 guest of honour at our annual showcase in the Project Arts Centre. The group performed their Tai Chi demonstration and performed the play These People, written and directed by Pom Boyd (actress/writer). Pom worked closely with the group, facilitating drama workshops to devise this clever witty script. RADErs also exhibited their artwork on the evening and read stories from their creative writing publication ‘Somewhere to Flap Your Wings’
Where it all began
The group
Working with actress and writer Judith Ryan, Angel of Mercy was developed and staged at the Project Arts Centre. This was a first ever stage appearance for many participants and for RADE
