Kilkenny Arts Festival Programme 2004

6 - 15 AUGUST 2004

Board of DirectorsJohn Purcell (Chair), Tony Canny, Fergus Cronin, Ali Curran,Brian Kiely, Vincent O’Shea, Susan Proud, John Ryan

Festival TeamDirector Claudia WoolgarFestival Manager Marion GowranAdministrator Teenagh CunninghamTechnical Director David StuttardKatapult Outreach Coordinator Sinead Ní Fhoghlú Katapult Arts Training Consultant Tony FeganKatapult Workshop Artist Thierry LawsonNational PR Manager Nik Quaife: Tel 087 799 7989 & Conleth TeevanLocal PR Manager Renata McDonnellUK PR Beacon PR: Tel 00 44 1572 748800 &Kean Lanyon Ltd: Tel 00 44 207 354 3574Administrative Assistant Eddie Bolger Production Assistant Anne BrodieTechnical Crew Eileen Branagh, Anne Brodie, Derval Byrne, Michael Kyle,Michael Lonergan, Conor Mullen, Paula Tierney, Ian Wilford, Maurice Drohan - and all those who joined us after we went to print!Lighting supplied by Production Services IrelandSound supplied by Gerry BannonWoodstock Event Controller Caroline McGeeVolunteer and Transport Coordinator Trish DuffGroup Hosts Festival volunteersFriends Liaison Trish Duff Box Office Manager Steph HoganBox Office Team Caitriona Anglin, Helen Byrne,Lori Comerford, Tracy PowerWork Experience Assistants Gael Martineau,Melissa Morrison, Sylvain OrvoenGraphic Design A&D: Tel 091 561378IT Manager Fintan Blake-Kelly Website Henry TubrittMusic Notes Jon BaxendaleProgramme devised by Claudia Woolgar Classical Music devised by Susan ProudYoung People’s Programme devised by Teenagh Cunningham

Cover image Chris Judge

Special thanks is extended to the team of volunteers fortheir energy, enthusiasm and time – the Festival wouldbe lost without you!

Our thanks, also, to David Zee, Íde Deloughry, Tony Walsh,Claire Murphy, Mary Butler, John Delaney, Kilkenny Castleand the residents of Woodstock Estate.

Kilkenny Arts Festival Box OfficeCity CentreKilkennyTel 00 353 (0)56 775 2175Fax 00 353 (0)56 775 1704E: [email protected]: www.kilkennyarts.ie

Contents

Katapult Outreach Programme . . . . . . . . . . .3

Woodstock Weekend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Theatre & Dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Classical Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Jazz/World Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Traditional Irish Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Business Friends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Booking Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Kilkenny People Friends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Meet the Artists at the Hibernian . . . . . . . .40

Visual Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Street Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Cuban Film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Young People’s Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Workshops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Verge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Collectors’ Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

New Writing Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Day-by-Day - Main Programme . . . . . . . . .64

Day-by-Day - Young People’s Programme . .65

Welcome to Kilkenny Arts Festival 2004

It’s been an amazing year, with a huge number of fantastic developments as the Festival continues to grow. Wehave a programme full of work from exceptional artists from abroad and at home. They bring their imaginationand vision to Kilkenny, and we urge you to go and see what they’re up to, enjoy the surprises, and join us in amagical ten days of events county-wide.

This year sees some new additions to the programme. Katapult, our community outreach programme kickedinto life with workshops taking place in May and June involving 25 young people from around the county. Theywere inspiring days spent developing a performance piece together, which will open this year’s Festival on Friday6th August. The involvement of this enthusiastic and talented group brought the Festival out into the countyoutside of Festival time, and we are all reaping the rewards of working with people who have not been involvedin the Festival before.

There are more events taking place out in the county. Whether you live in Kilkenny or are visiting for the Festival,get on the special Festival buses leaving from the Castle and go and see what the beautiful county of Kilkennyhas to offer. Visit the stunning Woodstock Gardens in Inistioge for the Fireworks Concert and for Woodstock2004. Go to a magical glen in Kilfane Gardens for a sound and light performance by a waterfall. Visit GrennanMill in Thomastown and see two young Irish sculptors with a difference. Go and discover what County Kilkennyhas to offer.

The Festival has also opened its doors to more local artists with Verge. Working in collaboration with KilkennyCounty Council Arts Office, 12 local artists at the beginning of their careers are exhibiting their work in Kilkenny,Thomastown and Castlecomer. Their vision and inventiveness heralds a rich future for Kilkenny, “the creativeheart of Ireland” and we are thrilled to include them in the Festival programme.

And if you want to know more, don’t miss the chance to Meet the Artists at The Hibernian, see page 40, and wealso have a new writing series with Barnstorm Theatre, see page 61.

That’s just a few of the exciting new elements in this year’s programme that we wanted to share with you. Andthere’s much more. We’ve had a great year putting the programme together. Now it’s over to you!

Discover more! Go exploring!

Claudia WoolgarKilkenny Arts Festival 20045th - 14th August

KATAPULT is a Kilkenny Arts Festival initiative for children and young peoplein the rural villages and communities in the region who have in many casesbeen excluded from arts provision. Its central aim is to provide opportunitiesfor young people to participate in the arts and experience the excitement ofprofessional arts making.

The group of young people who launched KATAPULT this year have created aperformance piece entitled Dream City.

Dream City

Ever felt that the reality of everyday life is just skin deep?Ever felt life was like living in a film?Ever wished for all your dreams to be fulfilled?

Dream City weaves stories, performance, video/animation and sound toconjure an alternative reality that may provide some of the answers to life,the universe and more besides.

Friday 6 - Saturday 7 August

City Centre - check with Box Office7pm & 9pm daily

Admission Free

3

This project has been part funded byBarrow Nore Suir Rural Developmentunder the LEADER + Programme

4

With a name like that, there has to be a music festival.

Bringing the very best of Ireland’s singer/songwriters together for a day toremember, Woodstock 2004 is a fantastic day out for all the familyfeaturing: Hothouse Flowers, Jerry Fish and the Mudbug Club, Mundy,Rodrigo y Gabriela, Mark Geary, Declan O’Rourke, Reverie.

Standing out from other summer music events, Woodstock 2004 showsthe Festival’s commitment to giving a stage to young artists. As local bandReverie join Declan O’Rourke, Mark Geary and Rodrigo y Gabriela,come and listen to a new world of music alongside some establishedfavourites, all compéred by the irrepressible Jerry Fish.

The stage from the Fireworks Concert will be turned into an all-day musicarena, with a catering village on site. Bring a rug, the family and friends,and enjoy an afternoon with some of Ireland’s finest musicians in this breathtaking setting.

If you would like to join in supporting the further restoration of Woodstock house and gardens by becoming a Friend ofWoodstock Gardens, please contact 056 7794033/email [email protected]/www.woodstock.ie

Back by popular demand after the Tower of Light last year, Walk the Plankjoin forces with the Northern Chamber Orchestra for an evening of musicand magic in the stunning setting of Woodstock Gardens, Inistioge.

Performing on a specially constructed stage, the Northern ChamberOrchestra offer a delightful evening of popular music mainly of the baroqueand classical period, which is given contrast by English music from the earlytwentieth century.

The concert reaches a grande finale with Handel’s Music for the RoyalFireworks, set to a dazzling synchronised display of fireworks by pyrotechnicswizards, Walk the Plank. The perfect end to this magical evening, this willbe an unmissable event for all the family.

Bring a picnic and enjoy a magical summer’s evening in the beautifulsurroundings of one of Ireland’s best-loved gardens.

For full concert programme details, see page 11.

Opening Fireworks Concert

Northern Chamber Orchestra and Walk the Plank (England)

Woodstock 2004

Saturday 7 August

Woodstock Gardens, Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny. Gates 6.30pm for 7.30pm concertEnds 10pm

Admission €20 seated/€7.50 Standing/ €15 Family Standing (Max 2 adults, total 4)Buses will depart from the Parade,Kilkenny Castle, €10 return. Ticketsmust be purchased in advance fromthe Festival Box Office.

Corporate tables are available for a pre-concert dinner at Mount JulietConrad Hotel. Please contact the Festival office for details.

Subject to Licence at the time of going to print.

Warm clothing advised.

Sunday 8 August

Woodstock Gardens, Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny Gates 3pm for 4pm concert. Ends 10pm.

Admission €25Buses will depart from the Parade,Kilkenny Castle, €10 return. Ticketsmust be purchased in advance fromthe Festival Box Office.

Special Thanks to the Order of Malta.


5

Murder, Darwinian science and the quest for eternal life. Not your everydayconversation as you wander the bustling streets of Kilkenny - but put on yourheadphones, follow the voices and you might just learn the secret of Dr.Ledbetter’s Experiment.

This virtuoso production from award-winning Irish company The PerformanceCorporation leads the audience through the shadows, into the murky world ofa man who has been inexplicably airbrushed out of Kilkenny’s history: Dr. SaulLedbetter, the once-renowned physician and philanthropist.

Dr. Ledbetter’s Experiment is a first in world theatre. A gothic journey that fuseslive performance with high technology to create a new theatrical experience.The audience become “audio detectives” as the sounds and voices of the pastlead them through historic Kilkenny to the heart of the mystery - the fate of aman tainted by rumours of occultism and the mysterious disappearance of astring of women.

Directed by Jo Mangan and featuring original musical composition by RobCanning, soundscape by Paul Brennan and art installations by Almha Roche,The Performance Corporation will conjure up a macabre and magicalperformance in evocative settings, making this a Festival show not to bemissed. Full of surprising interventions, audiences familiar with the company'ssignature performance style of physically dynamic, visually arresting theatre,will know to book early. (Audience capacity is limited.)

“An unending banquet ofbrilliant writing and superblyinventive acting… ThePerformance Corporationdelivers in glorious measure.”The Irish Times

Previews Friday 6 August Saturday 7 - Sunday 15 August(excl. Mon 9 & Tues 10)

The Streets of Kilkenny: meet outsideRothe House, Parliament Street1pm, 2.30pm, 7pm & 8.30pm dailyPreviews 7pm & 8.30pm

Admission €16/€14, Preview €11/€9

www.ThePerformanceCorporation.com

Comfortable shoes advised.

Meet the director: See page 40.

6

World première

The Performance Corporation (Ireland) and Kilkenny Arts Festival present

Dr. Ledbetter’s ExperimentBy Tom Swift

Winner of the 2000 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy, TheMemory of Water is affectionate, sharp, brilliant and blackly funny.Three sisters meet on the eve of their mother’s funeral. Together theyrummage through clothes, memories, and old stories. Each hasevolved their own way of dealing (or not) with the past, but asemotion, disputed memory and alcohol all take their toll, theygradually dissolve into a chaos of hilarity and grief.

“Combines a flair for wittydialogue and a relish for thedynamics of theatre…Stephenson, a mistress of comicanguish, is clearly a real find.” The Guardian

“a master-class on how to makepopular theatre” The Times

“Beautifully paced, meticulouslydetailed, but passionatelyperformed” **** The Times

Stellar Quines Theatre Company (Scotland) in a co-production with theTron Theatre, Glasgow and The Byre Theatre of St. Andrews

The Memory of WaterWritten by Shelagh StephensonDirected by Muriel Romanes

Preview Friday 6 August Saturday 7 - Thursday 12 August

Watergate Theatre 8pm

Admission €20/€18Preview €16/€14

Meet the director: See page 40.

7

Irish première

TheBritishCouncil

8

World première

Room 409 has stories to tell!

Three couples with three reservations…

A young couple burst into the hotel room with awild and playful energy. A single man in histhirties meticulously grooms himself for his bigmoment. Meanwhile, an older married couple packand unpack past memories.

The three stories unfold in their individualtimeframes and overlap to comment on thegreater theme of couples and their ever changingstages of love.

The intimate setting allows the audience animmediate and voyeuristic experience. ChamberMade - Room 409 is a quintessential story ofpassion, love and coupledom.

Dance up close and personal.

Audience capacity is very limited, so book early toavoid disappointment.

Saturday 7 - Wednesday 11 August2pm & 6pm daily

Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel – meet in the foyer.

Admission €16/€14

Meet the choreographer: See page 40.

Wednesday 11 – Sunday 15 August

Venue Bar, Ormonde Street2pm & 6pm daily


Chamber Made - Room 409Created by David Bolger and Katie Read

CoisCéim Dance Theatre (Ireland) presents

Taking place in a bar, this touching duet fuses dance,text, music, light and sound. Boy meets girl in a storywhich is permeated with a playful and knowingregard for the everyday. The two performers danceon and around the bar and up and down walls, in aplayful physical journey of fun and friendship.

At times casual and funny, Swept is full of momentsthat magically transform into a world of colour andtheatrical opulence.

Founded in 1995, CoisCéim Dance Theatre hascreated seventeen original dance theatre pieces, andthe company’s work has been shown throughoutIreland, London, Edinburgh, Tasmania, the US andmore recently China. CoisCéim has made one dancefilm, HIT AND RUN which was screened at nationaland international film festivals and won five awards.CoisCéim created A DASH OF COLOUR whichinvolved 75,000 people as part of the OpeningCeremony at the Special Olympics in June 2003.

Swept was an Abbey Theatre-CoisCéim co-production at the Abbey Theatre

“There is a playfulness and joyousness in the performance that transmits itself directly to the audience”The Irish Times

SweptChoreographer: David Bolger

9

Friday 13 - Sunday 15 August

Watergate Theatre, 6pmAdmission €11/€9

Suitable for all the family, age 5+

“There are many beautiful stories to tell but we aregoing to tell you the story of a white kingdom and itswhite Queens. Imagine, if you will, an imaginary historyin a time of endless raining bubbles…”

The story of the mystical medieval White Kingdom isa tale of intrigue and poison, of brave heroes andcunning nobles, of power and loneliness as akingdom is caught in a power struggle between theheartless White Queen and her daughter. Threewhite clowns appear and reveal the folly of theQueen’s passion for power, in an evening of laughterand buffoonery.

Told without a word of text, using dance, mime andmusic, White Side Story brings smiles and laughterto the faces of children and adults alike.

This award-winning comic theatre company from St Petersburg have toured extensively worldwide,and they transcend all language barriers with theirenergy and physical performance.

“Visually stunning. Not to be missed!”The Guardian

“The only salvation is unrestrained laughter”Le Figaro

Comic Trust Theatre Company (Russia)

White Side StoryDirected by Vadim Fisson

10

Irish première

The Northern Chamber Orchestra, formed in 1967, is an exciting andversatile group of musicians. Directed in concert from the violin by NicholasWard, the orchestra has, for several years now, accompanied the mainproduction at the Buxton Festival, and its repertoire includes a wide range fromCorelli to Stravinsky and beyond. The members of the orchestra aredistinguished chamber musicians who play as principals with other orchestrasand regularly appear as soloists.

The orchestra gives over forty concerts a year throughout the North of England,and, whilst this is their first visit to Ireland, Director Nicholas Ward hasappeared in Kilkenny before. With over thirty CDs to its name, the orchestra isknown on every continent and in May of this year recorded four of Boccherini’sCello Concertos with Raphael Wallfisch for Naxos.

Northern Chamber Orchestra (England)Director and leader: Nicholas Ward

Saturday 7 August

Woodstock Gardens, Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny. Gates 6.30pm for 7.30pm concertEnds 10pm.

Admission €20 seated/€7.50 Standing/ €15 Family Standing (Max 2 adults, total 4)Buses will depart from the Parade,Kilkenny Castle, €10 return. Ticketsmust be purchased in advance fromthe Festival Box Office.

Corporate tables are available for a pre-concert dinner at Mount JulietConrad Hotel. Please contact the Festival office for details.



“…the Northern ChamberOrchestra… quite simplyworld-class”Opera Magazine, 2003

ProgrammeHaydn Symphony No 94 “The Surprise”Malcolm Arnold Sinfonietta No 1Handel The Arrival of the Queen of ShebaBach Air and Dances from Suite No 3Elgar Chanson de Matin and Chanson de NuitPercy Grainger Shepherds HeyHandel Music for the Royal Fireworks

11

Irish première

Born in Edinburgh in 1976, solo percussionist Colin Curriewon the Shell/London Symphony Orchestra Music Scholarshipat the age of fifteen. In 1994 he won the first percussionprize in the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition,giving the world première of Errollyn Wallen’s Concerto forPercussion in the final at London’s Barbican Centre.

Since then Currie has appeared as soloist with majororchestras around the world, working with some of theleading conductors and composers of our day. He has made a significant contribution to the solo percussion repertoire byregularly commissioning and recording new works. In 2001Colin Currie was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society’sYoung Artist Award for his outstanding contribution toinnovative music-making.

Currie has been selected as a BBC New Generation Artistfrom the 2003/4 season. He performs solo and chamberrecitals in Rome, Lucerne, Glasgow, Oxford and London andhas recently appeared with orchestras in The Netherlands,Germany, the USA and the UK. An active chamber musician,he has collaborated with artists such as the Peterson Quartet,Dawn Upshaw, Viktoria Mullova and jazz musicians PeterErskine, Kenny Wheeler and John Taylor. His first solo album,Striking a Balance, was released on EMI in February 1998.Since then he has made two recordings for Naxos.

Colin Currie first performed in Kilkenny last year, as part ofthe Trans-Fusion residency. Those who saw him then willknow to book early to see this energetic and virtuosoperformer.

ProgrammeMatthias Schitt GhanaiaNey Rosauro Sinfonietta No 1Per Norgard Fire over WaterDave Maric Sense and Innocence Steve Reich Nagoya MarimbasPaul Smadbeck Rhythm SongDave Maric Trilogy

Colin Currie (Scotland)

Monday 9 August

St Canice’s Cathedral, 8pm


12

Tuesday 10 August



The Callino Quartet was formed in June 1999 following a publicly andcritically acclaimed appearance at the West Cork Chamber Music Festival. TheQuartet still comprises the four original members, all Honours graduates of theRoyal Academy of Music in London.

Collaborations have seen the Callino Quartet perform alongside suchestablished and renowned artists as the Vanbrugh and the Vogler Quartets,violists Paul Silverthorne and Rivka Golani, oboist Neil Black and the ParisBastille Wind Octet. They have also enjoyed quintet performances withcontemporaries Finghin Collins, Gunilla Sussman, Inon Barnatan, (piano) andMalachy Robinson, (double-bass).

The Quartet’s critically acclaimed début concert took place in the NationalConcert Hall, Dublin in October of 2001. Since then the Quartet has been busytouring extensively around Ireland, as well as to the UK, the Netherlands, Italy,Norway, Austria and Germany. They have appeared live on both RTÉ televisionand radio and have been broadcast on BBC and Norwegian radio stations.

Callino Quartet (Ireland)

Ioana Petcu-Colan - violinSarah Sexton - violin Samantha Hutchins - viola Sarah McMahon - cellowith guest appearances by Robin Michael and Malachy Robinson

CONCERT 1Mozart Quartet in D minor Bartok Quartet No 3Arensky Quartet for violin, viola and 2 celloswith Robin Michael

Wednesday 11 August

St John’s Church, John Street, 1pm


CONCERT 2Dvorak Bass Quintet and Nocturnewith Malachy Robinson

“The Callino Quartet is now, bya long shot, the most polishedyoung string quartet thatIreland has recently produced”The Irish Times

13

Lucy van Dael - violinClaire Duff - violinStefano Rossi - violaRobin Michael - celloSarah McMahon - celloNicholas Milne - viola da gambaMonika Knoblochova - harpsichordwith guest appearance by Malcolm Proud

Once again the Festival offers a residency opportunity forprofessional development to six young internationalmusicians. The residency will be led by Lucy van Dael, whofounded the Orchestra of the 18th Century with FransBrüggen and was for 18 years its concertmaster. She iscurrently a member of the Amsterdam Fortepiano Trio and ofL’Archibudelli, and performs regularly with harpsichordist Bobvan Asperen and cellist Jaap ter Linden.

Lucy van Dael began her career as a member of theNetherlands Chamber Orchestra under the direction of SzimonGoldberg, but soon became interested in the baroque violin.She collaborated extensively with Gustav Leonhardt, FransBrüggen, Ton Koopman (Musica da Camera), and the Kuijkenbrothers, becoming in the process one of the leading figures inthe revival of authentic string playing. She has appeared withmany ensembles and orchestras - among them the LeonhardtConsort and La Petite Bande - as violin or viola soloist. VanDael is internationally sought after as a pedagogue.

Van Dael brings together six young musicians: Robin Michael(UK) cello, Nicholas Milne (Ireland) viola da gamba, MonikaKnoblochova (Czech Republic) harpsichord, SarahMcMahon (Ireland) cello, Claire Duff (Ireland) violin, andStefano Rossi (Italy) viola. Kilkenny Arts Festival is delightedto be their host for an intensive two-day residency,culminating in four concerts in which the young musicians willperform with van Dael.

The two-day residency is open to the public and thefour-hour sessions are 9am - 1pm and 2pm - 6pmdaily. Re-admittance for the public once a sessionhas started will not be permitted until a suitablebreak.

Tuesday 10 & Wednesday 11 AugustThe Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle. 9am & 2pmAdmission €5 two-session day ticket

Trans-FusionDirector: Lucy van Dael

14

CONCERT 1Lucy van Dael - violinMalcolm Proud - harpsichord

J.S. Bach Sonata for obligato harpsichord and violinI Sonata No 4 in C min. BWV 1017 II Solo III Sonata No 5 in F min. BWV 1018 IV Sonata No 6 in G maj. BWV 1019V Sonata No 3 in E maj. BWV 1016

ma non tanto

Thursday 12 AugustSt Canice’s Cathedral, 8pmAdmission €17/€15

CONCERT 2Claire Duff - violinNicholas Milne - viola da gambaMonika Knoblochova - harpsichord

Dietrich BuxtehudeSonata Op. 1 No 3 in A minor(1637-1707) Sonata for violin and viola da gamba with harpsichord,Hamburg 1694

J.S. BachSonata in G major BWV 1027(1685-1750) for viola da gamba and harpsichord

J.S. BachPreludium and Fuge in F sharp minor(The Well-Tempered Klavier ll)

Heinrich I.F. von BiberSonata for violinRepresentativa: (1644-1704) Kromeriz library, c.1669 Nightingale - Cuckoo - Frog - Cock & Hen - Quail - Cat -Musketeer's March - Allemande

Dietrich BuxtehudeSonata Op. 1 No 5 in C major(1637-1707) Sonata for violin and viola da gamba with harpsichord,Hamburg 1694

Friday 13 AugustThe Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle, 1pmAdmission €12/€10

CONCERT 3Lucy van Dael - violinStefano Rossi - violinNicholas Milne - viola da gambaMonika Knoblochova - harpsichord

Francois CouperinFrom “Les Nations”, Troisieme Ordre : l’Imperiale

M. Marais“Les Cloches de St Genevieve”

J.S. BachTriosonate in D maj. BWV 1028

J.S. BachTriosonate in E major BWV 1032

Jean-Philippe RameauFrom “Pieces de clavecin en concert” No III

Saturday 14 August The Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle, 1pmAdmission €12/€10

CONCERT 4Lucy van Dael - violinClaire Duff - violinStefano Rossi - violaRobin Michael - celloSarah McMahon - cello

Luigi Boccherini (“The Stringking”)I String trio in C minorII String quartet in A major Op. 39 III String quintet in G minor Op. 29 No 6

Saturday 14 AugustSt Canice’s Cathedral, 8pmAdmission €17/€15

Lucy van Dael Nicholas Milne Monika Knoblochova Claire Duff

15

16

Friday 13 August



Steven Isserlis is a cellist acclaimed worldwide for his musicality andtechnique, and whose passion for music captures the audience, whether in anintimate chamber music setting or on the concert platform with some of theworld's most prestigious orchestras and conductors.

Recent concerto engagements have taken Isserlis to some of the world’sgreatest orchestras, including the Boston, Atlanta, Detroit and LondonSymphony orchestras, the New York, Berlin, Rotterdam, Czech and IsraelPhilharmonics and the Philharmonia and Philadelphia orchestras. He alsoenjoys regular collaborations with conductors such as Vladimir Ashkenazy,Sakari Oramo, Sir Colin Davis, Ton Koopman and Christoph Eschenbach.

A strong interest in musical education makes Isserlis much in demand forteaching - he is Artistic Director of the International Masterclass and ChamberMusic forum IMS Prussia Cove and is regularly invited to teach at academiesin the US, Europe and Australia. Awarded a CBE in 1998 in recognition of hisservices to music, Steven Isserlis is an honorary member of the Royal Academyof Music and in 2000 received the Schumann Prize of the City of Zwickau(Schumann’s birthplace).

Steven Isserlis cello

Performing with Prussia Cove musiciansArisa Fujita - violinRachel Roberts - violaSarah Tysman - piano

CONCERT 1Beethoven String trio in C minorDvorak F minor trioSuk Piano Quartet

Sunday 15 August



CONCERT 2Beethoven Eyeglass obbligato duoSmetana TrioDvorak E flat Piano Quartet

Arisa Fujita Rachel Roberts Sarah Tysman

17

For this concert of Turlitawa and Les Manouches, two bands have joinedtogether specially for Kilkenny, offering a rare opportunity to experiencehighlights of gypsy music from the East and West, the music of Roma and Sintiin one concert.

The bandleaders Mustafa Zekirov (singing, guitar & oud) and Pesso Kraus(violin) with their musicians from Macedonia, Bulgaria, Germany and Britainperform the best of their repertoire. The name Turlitawa refers to a hot, spicyblended Balkan dish: you will hear the far oriental tunes reminiscent of theIndian home of gypsies, raucous Balkan music coming to you directly from a baror wedding party somewhere in remote Macedonia, and then the stylish SintiSwing with Pesso Kraus’s emotional violin playing.

With an extraordinary history of survived repression in the former Yugoslaviaand internment in Auschwitz and Treblinka, the main musicians, Mustafa Zekirovand Pesso Kraus join forces with Roma and Sinti musicians whose musicalitygoes back generations for a very special evening. The project aims to jointogether the different ingredients of gypsy music from all over the continentwith a contemporary twist, reflecting Gypsy culture as European culture.

And don’t expect a straight concert. These musicians offer a high energyevening of theatre and performance as well as great music.

Turlitawa & Les Manouches (Macedonia, Bulgaria, Germany, UK)

“Virtuoso musicians!”The Guardian

“Impressive playing”The Independent

Friday 6 August

Kilbride Suite, Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel, 10pm


Saturday 7 August

Carroll’s Pub, Thomastown, 2pmKieran Street, Kilkenny, 4.30pm

18

Irish première

The wonderful and subtle voice of Moluccan singer Monica Akihary and thecompositions of virtuoso guitarist Niels Brouwer characterise the typicalsound of Boi Akih, where the delightful vocal sounds from Haruku, one of theMoluccan islands, guide you through musical images of jazz, world andcontemporary music.

Akihary and Brouwer’s collaboration led to the amazingly original repertoire ofBoi Akih, with influences clearly beyond all “World” or “Jazz” boundaries.Compositions based on jazz and improvised music are intertwined with Southand North Indian classical music and the traditional music of the MoluccanIslands (Indonesia). The rhythm section, changed from the traditional westernbass/drum idiom, features the fantastic cellist Ernst Reijseger and renownedtabla player Sandip Bhattacharya, creating room for improvisation inspiredby different musical traditions. Monica developed her own style of singing,adding Indian and African techniques, and, uniquely, singing in the Moluccanlanguage of her ancestors.

Join Monica and her band for an unforgettable evening of world music.

Boi Akih (Haruku, Indonesia)

“Monica Akihary… producer of one of the most beautiful jazzcd’s of this year” Trouw 2000

“You would have to be from another planet not to be movedby the warmth and positive energy of Monica Akihary” Opzij

Saturday 7 August



19

Irish première

Andy Sheppard is one of Britain’s foremost tenor andsoprano saxophonists. After a string of awardsfollowing his first two albums, Sheppard formed hisSoft On The Inside Big Band in 1990 - which includedErnst Reisjeger, performing with Boi Akih on Saturday7th. The band produced an album which was creditedas one of the finest releases of the year and confirmedSheppard’s status as a composer.

Sheppard moved from his original acoustic style to apunchier, electronic sound for his next band. In Co-Motion was a potent mix of funk and rock grooves,complex ensemble lines, and solos that moved fromlyrical ballad passages to exciting free jazz. Since thenSheppard has toured the world and has also been indemand as a writer. He is often described as a serialcollaborator with an astonishing range of musicalpartners to his name as well as an eclectic range ofrecordings.

Joanna McGregor is widely thought of as one of themost innovative and wide-ranging of today’s pianistsand divides her time between playing classical, jazzand contemporary music. Classically trained, McGregorhas since spent her time pushing classical music intonew territories. Her art is a collaborative process, withmuch of her life spent abroad, each trip acting asanother excuse to find someone to work with.

These two great collaborators offer a very specialevening which magically combines their talents in onedynamic concert.

Sunday 8 August



Andy Sheppard &Joanna McGregor (UK)

20

Bringing the very best of Ireland’s singer/songwriters together for a day toremember, Woodstock 2004 is unlike any other summer music event. Inbringing together this line-up of musicians, Kilkenny Arts Festival is continuingits commitment to giving a stage to young artists alongside those alreadyestablished. Local band Reverie join Declan O’Rourke, Mark Geary andRodrigo y Gabriela on the same stage as Hothouse Flowers, Jerry Fishand the Mudbug Club and Mundy. It is an exceptional line-up, presentingthe best of Ireland’s own and heralding new unmissable talent.

The afternoon concert will be compéred by Jerry Fish, as Woodstock Gardensis transformed into a music arena. A specially constructed stage will stand nextto the ruins of Woodstock House, a catering village will be set up on site, andan afternoon of fantastic music is assured.

Bring a rug, the family and friends, and enjoy an afternoon with some ofIreland’s finest musicians in this breathtaking setting.

Hothouse Flowers | Jerry Fish and the Mudbug Club | MundyRodrigo y Gabriela | Mark Geary | Declan O’Rourke | Reverie

Woodstock 2004

Sunday 8 August

Woodstock Gardens, Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny Gates 3pm for 4pm concert. Ends 10pm.

Admission €25Buses will depart from the Parade,Kilkenny Castle, €10 return. Ticketsmust be purchased in advance fromthe Festival Box Office.

Subject to Licence at the time of going to print.Warm clothing advised.

Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club, Rodrigo yGabriela & Declan O’Rourke photographs bySiobhán Dempsey, Latitude Imaging.

21

Camille O’Sullivan has a stage presence like no other. Unpredictable, daring,sultry, witty, O’Sullivan breathes new life into Brel’s songs, making them herown. With her French parentage and love of story-telling, she performs inGerman, French and English and gives a mesmerising and stunningperformance.

Jacques Brel was one of the great modern troubadours (1929 - 1978), a poet,singer and composer of extraordinary passion and emotional power. Hebecame a leading singer/songwriter of the French stage with his extraordinarystage presence and profound, powerful songs.

In Camille’s hands, each song lives a life of its own, infused with character andlinked by Brel’s comic and tragic view of life. A sell-out success at the DublinFringe Festival 2003, an evening with Camille O’Sullivan is not to be missed.

Camille was last seen at the Festival in 2002, performing in Finola Cronin’sThe Murder Ballads.

Camille O’Sullivan (Ireland)

Camille sings Brel - The Right to Dream

“Sensational… sexy andprovocative, O’Sullivan ispossessed of an exceptionalvoice. This is pure joy”The Irish Times

“Most impressive… An outstanding talent” The Sunday Tribune

“the hottest ticket in town”The Irish Times

Monday 9 August



22

Hailed as one of the key pioneers, and continuing frontrunners, in thefield of Celtic/clubland fusion.

Over the past dozen years Shooglenifty’s unique twist on trad has wonthem an extensive and devoted fanbase not only across Europe, the USand Australasia, but as far afield as India, Malaysia and Japan.

Previous career highlights include performing for Prince Charles,Nelson Mandela and Emperor Akihito of Japan (not all at once), and a tour to Cuba. Back in 1996, Shooglenifty became the first band everto incite a stage invasion at Sydney Opera House.

Beneath the folky-looking exterior of these “acid croft, hypno-folkedelic ambient trance” ambassadors, lurks an on-going romancebetween Scottish traditional music and contemporary dance sounds, allbrought to life with electric guitar, samples and programming, as wellas "real" percussion and the finest traditional tunes. All six players aremaestros of effects, distortion, feedback and - crucially - improvisation.

The resulting sound marries traditionally-based tunes - primarilyScottish in style, but featuring a wealth of other world-music flavours -with the rhythmic energy, inventiveness and sophistication ofcontemporary dance music. Dazzling, multi-layered intricacy andintoxicating grooves deliver a pure musical experience which is “Still the original and the best” Scotsman.

Shooglenifty (Scotland)

Tuesday 10 August

Kilkenny River Court Hotel, 10pm


23

Irish première

In the magical, haunting setting of a hidden glen in Kilfane Gardens,this installation by legendary figure, Daniel Figgis, will be a uniquemusical and performance experience.

As darkness falls, the natural surrounds are sculpted and imposed uponby live musicians, surround-sound and an integrated video/lightingdesign. The rural setting is transformed into a highly charged publicperformance space. Exploring new approaches to sound generation anddesign, with the backdrop of a thundering waterfall, Figgis promisesdaring uses of technologies old and new in an evening full of surprises.

This is a music and visual event like no other from one of Ireland’s leading artists.

Figgis, currently composer-in-residence at Dublin’s Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown, has made several live performance installations, andproduced the classic CD, Skipper (“The strange familiarity of a David Lynchfilm, the harmonic simplicity of John Tavener - Skipper is their musical love-child. Curious, but true.” Classical FM Magazine (UK)). Earlier this yearFiggis was the subject of a tribute CD by various artists entitled WhenIt’s Ajar - The Music of Daniel Figgis?

Daniel Figgis’ Motor (Ireland)

“world-beating… marvellous…hyperintelligent… full of thenoise and clamour of humanity,profoundly meticulous butthrumming with child-like funand warm absurdity…”Hot Press

“extremely talented - you’ll behearing a lot more from Figgis” Lyric FM

“the sonic equivalent of anabstract painter…” Independent Album of the Week (UK)

Wednesday 11 - Saturday 14 August

Kilfane Glen & Waterfall, Thomastown. Gates 8.30pm for 9.30pm performance

Buses will depart from the Parade,Kilkenny Castle, at 8.30pm, €10return. Tickets must be purchased inadvance from the Festival Box Office.

Warm clothing and sensible shoesrecommended


24

World première

“It’s time to meet the ladswho will take son into thenew millennium” Mojo

“Asere are proof that thefuture of Son is in very safehands indeed’ ” Straight no Chaser

Asere is a group of young musicians who came together to play traditionalCuban son. Their career took off when the Colombian singer, Totó laMomposina, came across them on a visit to Cuba in 1996 and wasimmediately struck by their energy, rich songwriting and powerful delivery.

Comfortable with classical son, respectful of their musical forefathers and yetkeen to step into the future, in Asere we find the son tradition dressed up inbaseball caps and trainers - an expression of young urban Cuba. Thesemusicians seek to develop the music through their inventive songwriting andarrangements, building a fresh sound for a new generation.

Since 1998 Asere have performed across Europe, impressing many with theirdynamic show and infectious energy. They have performed with Totó laMomposina in 1999, with legendary drummer Billy Cobham, and as thebacking band for Papa Noel’s ‘Bana Congo’ project in 2002. Asere’s newalbum, Destinos, was released in June of this year and marks a new chapterin their musical development.

This will be a gig to fight to get in to - Asere’s Irish debut and an exclusivewith this sensational band. You won’t have heard Cuban music like it.

Asere (Cuba)

Friday 13 August



25

Irish première

Steve Shannon is a Dublin-based producer and DJ. He is the co-founder ofthe Audiodelic collective who have brought eclectic DJs like Luke Vibert, MrScruff and DJ Food to these shores. His music career has spanned fourteenyears from performing with punk, reggae and electronic bands, to workingwith various acts as a producer. As well as being at home in a recordingstudio twiddling knobs and pushing buttons, he plays drums, guitar, bass,keyboards, melodica, banjo and glockenspiel. He started DJing at houseparties before moving on to many legendary free parties over the years.A regular on the DJ scene, he has had DJ residencies in Dublin venues Coyote,Voodoo, Sosume and Handels.

When he’s not DJing or making his own music, he is the central cog inelectronic band Halfset who will release their debut album later this yearon Elusive Recordings.

He is a fanatical record hoarder and is running out of room for his fivethousand-plus cherished pieces of vinyl. His collection includes everythingfrom indie to jazz, soul to drum ’n’ bass, Motown to reggae. His current setfuses old skool funk with Latin grooves, modern breaks and eclectic rhythms.

The emphasis is always on good times and on shaking up the dance floor.So join in an evening of dancing from an eclectic range of influences andenergetic mixes in the Festival’s hot DJ slot.

DJ Steve (Ireland)

Saturday 14 August

Coda Club, Parliament St, 10pm

Admission €10

26

Saturday 14 August



New Cool Collective, founded in 1994, includes someof the coolest musicians on the Dutch music scene. Theirmusic is a fresh and exciting mix of highly danceablesoul and funky jazz, spiced with Latin flavours andaccompanied by a great grooving rhythm section.

Benjamin Herman, New Cool Collective’s award-winning bandleader and lead saxophonist, is a well-known musician on the European jazz circuit. Inspired byNew York’s club Giant Steps, he started organisingparties in Amsterdam. Soul Kitchen was the first club topick up the idea of hosting a (jazz) band and a DJ on thesame night, and the gigs were such a hit that the bandhad to move to larger premises, Naar Boven.

Performances at major festivals and parties followed,including the North Sea Jazz Festival (The Hague), Club802 parties in Paradiso (Amsterdam), the Jazz Bop and Beach Bop parties (Bloemendaal), theNorth Sea Capetown Festival (South Africa), London’sfamous Jazz Café, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, aswell as several concerts featuring Roy Hargrove.

In 2001 the band received the Heineken CrossoverAward and signed with Sony Music. Their fourth albumBring it on was released in September 2002. The albumwas nominated for the Edison Jazz Award 2003 (theDutch Grammy).

New Cool Collective(The Netherlands)

27

Irish première

From County Kildare, master uilleann piper LiamO’Flynn was born to a fiddle-playing father and amother who came from a family of famous Claremusicians, ensuring that O’Flynn was keenly aware atan early age of his rich tradition and lineage.

In his teens, O’Flynn attended music “seisiúns” in theKildare village of Prosperous where he met many ofthe people with whom he would later make his nameand tour the concert-halls of the world. These weremusicians like Christy Moore, Donal Lunny and AndyIrvine with whom, in the early seventies, he formedthe legendary Planxty.

O’Flynn has taken the pipes into previouslyunexplored territory - be it as a member of Planxty,as a soloist with an orchestra or working with artistsas diverse as John Cage, The Everly Brothers, VanMorrison and Kate Bush. But whatever the situation,he has remained resolutely true to the music itself,securing his reputation as Ireland’s Master UilleannPiper.

In 1999, O’Flynn and the Piper’s Call Band (ArtyMcGlynn, Rod McVey, Liam Bradley) were chosen fora unique performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall,when, for the very first time, there was a specialevening devoted to Irish music as part of the BBCProms. They were rapturously received then, and thisconcert, taking place in the wonderful surrounds ofSt Canice’s Cathedral, promises to be anotherlegendary night.

Wednesday 11 August



Liam O’Flynn & The Piper’s Call Band

“When I’m playing, I’mcertainly lost within it. Theonly way to describe it, isthat it's like lookinginwards… like a spell is castand a terrific passage offeelings moves from themusician to the audienceand back again”Liam O’Flynn

28

If you know Michael McGoldrick’s playing, respected music critic Colin Irwin’sreview (above), will come as no great surprise. If you haven’t heard him yet, beprepared - his music will grab you by the ears, lift you up, dust you down andleave you feeling alive.

1995 winner of the BBC Radio Two Young Tradition Award and BBC Radio TwoInstrumentalist of the Year 2000, McGoldrick’s first solo album, Morning Rory,charted at No.1 for 5 weeks in the Irish Folk & Roots charts. The follow-up,Fused, released in January 2000, picked up the Best Overseas Album at theIrish Music Magazine awards.

Joined by Dezi Donnelly on fiddle, (“His technique is an example to all youngplayers” Paddy Glackin), Ed Boyd (guitar) and Jonjo Kelly (bodhran) of thephenomenon that is Flook! (the tightest, freshest & funkiest rhythm sectionthat you are likely to hear), these are four absolutely spellbounding musicians.Miss them at your peril!

Michael McGoldrick QuartetThursday 12 August



“His pedigree is immaculateand traditional music is veryevidently in his blood. Yet inhis swooping style there isalso a very real sense of theimpromptu and willingness toexplore areas beyond thenatural roots.”Colin Irwin, Folk Roots

29

30

Formed in 1987 when they were 16, their first gig was upstairs in theBaggot Inn, Dublin. Three people attended.

It was 1997 before the band got their office and first wage, having gonethrough many different line-ups. Tóg é go Bog é and a single Ón TaobhTuathail Amach were released that year, with the single reaching 24 in thecharts. The band toured to the States for the first time and their music wasused for the feature film Gold on the Streets. Playing Womex in Marseillesgave them even greater exposure, and they have since played at festivalsworld-wide.

In 2002 Kíla won the Meteor Award for Best Traditional Music Act, but theyremain unique and outside the fold. “Never successfully corralled in thetraditional, new age or world music slums… Rather they are the children ofPlanxty gone feral in the sewers under the gaudy carnival grounds.” Hot Press

An explosive afternoon gig in the beautiful setting of Ballykeefe Quarry.

KílaSunday 15 August

Ballykeefe Quarry, near Callan, 3pm


Presented with the assistance of KBK

“Love ‘em or loathe ‘em, Kílamake music that’s impossibleto ignore.” The Irish Times

“Kíla explode traditionalmusic from the inside out.Kila rock” Hot Press

“Kíla – a totally kick buttband from Dublin”The Boston Globe

Business Friends of Kilkenny Arts Festival

Our Business Friends are a lively and diverse group. Each has theirown interests and each their unique contribution to make. What unitesthem is their appreciation of the Festival and commitment to it. Theirability to see its scope and embrace its risks. Their enthusiasm andsense of pride.

It’s not too late to join us as a Business Friend. From as little as€12.50 per month you can help us continue to present this wonderfulFestival. For more information contact us 056 7763663 or [email protected]

Tax Relief may be available on donations over €250.Please ask us for details.

PartnersBambu, Langtons Bar, Hotel& Restaurant, KilkennyVintners Association,Pordylos, J.A. Canny & Co.,Brannigan’s

AssociatesAubergine/Farrell Foods,Bank of Ireland, Bluett &O’Donoghue, BoydAuctioneers, Carroll’s Bar,State Street International,Butler Solicitors, DugganSteel Group, Kilkenny BookCentre, Kilkenny Chamberof Commerce, Kyteler’s InnLacken House, SentrySecurity, W.A. Smithwick & Sons, Zuni Restaurant & Townhouse

Business PatronsCrotty’s Coffee House,Café Sol, Ailish’s Beauty & Body Clinic, ClubhouseHotel, Dean Street MedicalCentre, Springhill CourtHotel, John’s Green MedicalCentre, Sherwoods, JohnO’Connell’s Chemist,Lautrecs, Manning Travel,Michael O’Connell’sChemist, Murphy’sJewellers, Ormonde Brick, Sabo, Jeff Howes Golf Design, MRIWorldwide, MargaretGowen & Co.Marble City Transport

Thank you to:

31

32

Booking Information

Telephone & Credit Card Hotline 00 353 (0)56 775 2175Online Booking www.kilkennyarts.ie

Box Office hours Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm

Advance booking is recommended.

Note: Tickets for buses are only available at the Box Office.

Booking opens Monday 5 July.

Concessions are available and apply to students, seniorcitizens and the unwaged. Evidence will be requestedat point of purchase.

Student standby tickets available on the door, subjectto availability. 25% discount on production of a validstudent card, 15 minutes before start time.

Concessions are not available for online bookings.

10% discount for bookings of 10 or more people.

Kilkenny Arts Festival reserve the right to alter theadvertised programme.

Festival Club Membership is available through theFriends/Patrons Scheme. Details from Box Office.

Ticket prices include booking fee.Tickets purchased at outlets outside of Kilkenny are subject to a €2 agents fee.Tickets purchased online and over the phone by credit card are subject to a credit card booking fee.Tickets purchased directly from the Festival Box Office are not subject to any additional charges, unless payment is made using a credit card.

NAME DATE

ADDRESS

TELEPHONE DAY TELEPHONE EVENING

MASTERCARD VISA LASER EXPIRY DATE

CARD NUMBER

Booking FormPostal Bookings to: Kilkenny Arts Festival, 9/10 Abbey Business Centre, Abbey Street, Kilkenny, IrelandTel +353 56 775 2175, Fax +353 56 775 1704, www.kilkennyarts.ie

33

Please enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope with order. Cheques/POs should be made payable toKilkenny Arts Festival Ltd. Please read the booking information carefully and check totals to avoid delays.Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the advertised programme, KAF will not be responsible for anychanges that occur.

EVENT DATE TIME NUMBER PRICE VALUE

• Brochure mailed out for your convenience• Acknowledgment in Kilkenny People

Festival supplement• Two invitations to Opening Reception• Two complimentary Festival Club memberships • Special ticket offers• Friends-only reception during the Festival

• Festival Friend sticker for your car• Regular Festival updates throughout the year• Special ‘Family Friend’ discount to family events • ‘Family Friend’ notice of all young

people’s and family events• ‘Family Friend’ opportunities to go

behind the scenes at a play or exhibition

People are the lifeblood of this Festival. People whoevery year journey with us as we offer new and excitingwork. Whose interest, enthusiasm and commitmentmatch ours. People whose participation at events - onthe streets, at a concert, theatre show, reading or gig -help make it special. Simply, People who relisheverything that the Festival has to offer.

These people are Kilkenny People and our Friends.

We’d like you to become one of our Kilkenny People.Membership costs €75 only (€60 for our Student Friendsand Older Friends) or €150 for the whole family. Join usand you’ll enjoy a host of benefits including:

If you’d like a copy of our Kilkenny People FRIENDS brochure please phone us on 056 7763663 or email [email protected]

Kilkenny People -Friends of KilkennyArts Festival

34

35

Sharon Shannon – the Jimi Hendrix of the accordion.Acclaimed international artist and performer.Queen of the squeezebox.

Sharon Shannon comes from Co. Clare on the West coast,a region of Ireland where musicianship and song areintegral facets of daily life. Her love of music developed atan early age and she began learning to play accordion,whistle and a host of traditional instruments at the age ofsix. Her musical career began in earnest while still in herteens when she was asked by renowned Irish film director,Jim Sheridan, to compose the music for his stageproduction of Brendan Behan’s The Hostage.

1992 saw the release of Shannon’s self-titled debut album- a vibrant cocktail of Portuguese, Swedish, Cajun, Scottishand French/Canadian influences that quickly secured thecoveted title of biggest selling Irish traditional musicalbum ever released, with 120,000 copies sold.

She has retained her position as one of Ireland’s leadingfemale musicians, with a string of collaborations to hernames with virtuoso performers like Kirsty MacColl,Sinead O’Connor, Donal Lunny, Philip King, Mary Custy,Adam Clayton, Steve Wickham, Mike Scott and NigelKennedy, amongst others.

For Kilkenny Arts Festival, Sharon is joined by Jim Murray,Pauline Scanlon and Mary Shannon. Don’t miss thisfinal celebratory night as Sharon closes the 31st KilkennyArts Festival in true Irish fashion.

Sunday 15 August


Admission €20

Sharon Shannon & Friends

36

A&DAdvertising and Design Consultants

Flood Street Galway IrelandTel + 353 91 561 370 Fax + 353 91 561 370 [email protected]

37

Winner of the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature 2004 and shortlisted for theKerry Group Irish Fiction Award 2004, Claire Kilroy was born in Dublin in1973 where she still lives. She was the star pupil of the prestigious TrinityCollege Writing Programme and then worked for some years in televisionediting. In 2002 she received an Arts Council Literature Award, and since thenhas received immense critical acclaim for her debut novel, All Summer.

Born in London in 1970, Tobias Hill leapt to prominence with two collectionsof poetry, Year of the Dog, and Midnight in the City of Clocks(“impressively controlled”). Since then Hill has won over 100 awards for hiswork. His collection of short stories, Skin, first published to considerableacclaim in June 1997, won the 1998 Macmillan/Pen Award and was runner-upfor the Mail on Sunday/John Llewellyn Rhys Prize 1998. Hill’s first novel,Underground, was published by Faber in April 1999 and in its new format inApril 2000, and won an Arts Council Writers’ Award and a Betty Trask Award.Hill was rock critic for the Sunday Telegraph and is a regular reviewer for thepaper. His latest novel, The Cryptographer, was published in August 2003.

Wednesday 11 August



Claire Kilroy in conversation with Tobias Hill

“Kilroy has strikinglycombined a poetic senseof language with acommitment to thenarrative thrills requiredfor good storytelling…We have here an unusualphenomenon: a novelistwho knows the occultpowers of descriptivelanguage.”The Irish Times

“Tobias Hill has hisown elegant, clearand complex,meditative way ofinventing worlds. He is one of thetwo or three mostinterestingnovelists workingin Britain today.”A. S. Byatt, Guardian

38

Born in Dublin in 1959, Bolger’s eight novels include The Woman’sDaughter, The Journey Home, Father’s Music, Temptation and TheValparaiso Voyage. A poet and playwright, Dermot Bolger has beenPlaywright in Association with The Abbey Theatre, Writer Fellow in TrinityCollege, Dublin, and in 2002 received the inaugural Hennessy Irish LiteratureHall of Fame Award. Bolger is an energetic champion of new Irish writers asfounder-publisher of Raven Arts Press, which he ran until 1992, when he co-founded New Island Books.

Born in Derry in 1969, Sean O’Reilly is the acclaimed author of the shortstory collection Curfew, and the novel Love and Sleep, recently named bythe Irish Times as one of the Top 50 Irish novels. He lives in Ireland. His secondbook, The Swing of Things serves as a ringing confirmation of O’Reilly’sstanding as one of the most powerful and relevant writers at work today.

Dermot Bolger in conversationwith Sean O’Reilly

Thursday 12 August



“One of the veryfinest contemporarywriters.’”Alan Warner

“A writer of massiverange andimpressiveinnovation.” Eoin McNamee

“Joyce, O’Flaherty,Brian Moore, JohnMcGahern, a fistfulof O’Briens. This is asucculent Who’s Whoof Irish Writing, andDermot Bolger is ofthe same ilk… anexceptional literarygift.”The Independent

39

Brian Keenan was born in Belfast in 1950. He went toBeirut in 1985 for a change of scene from his nativeBelfast. He became headline news when he waskidnapped by fundamentalist Shi’ite militiamen andheld in the suburbs of Beirut for the next four and ahalf years. For much of that time he was shut off fromall news and contact with anyone other than hisjailers and, later, his fellow hostages, amongst themJohn McCarthy.

Keenan’s book, An Evil Cradling, is his account ofbeing held hostage. Published in 1992 the book hasrecently been made into a film, entitled Blind Flightstarring Ian Hart and Linus Roache.

Saturday 14 August



Brian Keenan

“The scope and grandeur of hisreflections is supported by the concretedetail of his narrative. It is a moving andremarkable triumph”Sebastian Faulks, Independent on Sunday

“From this horror has come somethingwonderful. An Evil Cradling is a greatbook… With [its] publication… BrianKeenan is not letting the world forget.This is a mighty achievement by amagnificent writer.”Frank McGuinness, The Irish Times

40

This year the Festival offers you, the audience, the chance to meet some ofthe artists. Ask questions, hear them talk about their work, and enjoychatting to some of the Festival’s extraordinary visiting artists in the informalsetting of the upstairs bar at Morrisson’s during the Festival.

Pat Keck - Puppets, Ghosts, and Zombies.Monday 9 August

David Bolger, CoisCéim, talks about his work and hislatest two site-specific pieces.Tuesday 10 August

Muriel Ramones and the cast of The Memory of Water.Wednesday 11 August

Shane Cullen talks about The Agreement, hisinfluences, and the (artistic) politics of the work.Thursday 12 August

Daniel Figgis in conversation. Friday 13 August

Jo Mangan & Tom Swift, The Performance Corporation,talk about their work, and Dr. Ledbetter’s Experiment.Saturday 14 August

Upstairs bar at Morrisson’s,Ormonde Street, 4pm daily

Admission Free

Meet the Artists at the Hibernian

41

Shane Cullen The Agreement

This large scale sculptural work was commissioned by Beaconsfield (London)to commemorate the signing of the British-Irish Peace Agreement reached inthe multi-party negotiations of 1998, known as the Good Friday or BelfastAgreement.

Delivered to every Irish household for mass consumption, the text of thispublic document is of celebrated ambiguity. Cullen’s piece lays out the textand facilitates a live encounter between Politics and Art, whilst presenting aneutral space in which to consider the seemingly irreconcilable.

Having toured to Dublin, Derry, Belfast, London and Portadown, theinstallation of the piece in the grounds of Kilkenny Castle recontextualises thework yet again, both within a historical context, and a contemporary one -45,362 out of a total poll of 48,651 people in the Kilkenny-Carlow areaoverwhelmingly endorsed the Agreement.

It is the audience’s response which completes this work.


Kilkenny Castle Grounds

Admission Free

Meet the artist: See page 40.

“We have come to realisethat looking is not justlooking but that looking isinvested with identity…aesthetics are politics.”Felix Gonzalez-Torres

“There is no such thing as aconflict that can’t be ended.”Former Senator George Mitchell, 2002

42

A truly prolific artist in many mediums, Jim Collins’ work is in many privatecollections, museums, churches and public spaces across America. Grounded inthe human form, Collins’ works also incorporate a sense of environmentalawareness, frequently using discarded industrial components in his sculptureand creating mixed media collages.

Collins’ materials vary from wood, copper, bronze and rejected industrial bits,to animal skins, neon, fabric and polyvinyl.

He brings his Watchers series to Kilkenny – pieces in steel and wood, some ofwhich have been fashioned specially for Kilkenny and in celebration of theUlysses anniversary. Each is unique either by material, colour, size or location.

The first Watcher was a life-sized silhouette made of polished stainless steelon a park bench – nearly denied existence by reflecting everything around it.There are ten Watchers around Kilkenny. Festival Watchers to be discovered.

Jim Collins (USA)Watchers


Streets of Kilkenny

“It has always been myexperience that art attractsthe wrong kind of people.”Jim Collins

Irish exclusive

43

A retrospective exhibition featuring works by one ofAmerica’s most fascinating yet under-recognisedsculptors. Since the late 1970s, Pat Keck (from Andover,Massachusetts) has created painted wood figurativesculptures, many of them mechanical and interactive.

Pat Keck’s characteristic style is based on anidiosyncratic abstraction of the human face and figure:frontal and symmetrical, with highly finished andbrightly-coloured surfaces, and an anatomicalarticulation more mechanical than organic. The figuresare gorgeously crafted, and each detail - from the woodjoinery, to the clothing, to the moving parts - is designedand fabricated by the artist herself.

Keck’s imaginative world is influenced by many sourcesthat point roughly in the same direction. She isinterested in folk and vernacular arts, especially thoseassociated with carnivals, fairs, and the circus, as well asvisual elements of other performing arts, most notablyvaudeville and popular music of the 1970s and 1980s(Glam Rock, Punk, and New Wave Music).

Pat Keck (USA)Puppets, Ghosts, and Zombies:The Sculpture of Pat Keck


Butler House, Patrick Street

Admission Free

Meet the artist: See page 40.

Irish exclusive

We all know the expression, but do we know its origins? Gordon-Bennettwas a notorious playboy and newspaper tycoon from the late 19th century.The works in this exhibition take several historical references andconnections and reshape them into a new dynamic across a range ofobjects, images and situations. The various elements explore ideassurrounding popular myth and celebrity routed through language.

Phelan’s practice is concerned with relational aspects of photography,sculpture, installation and social interaction.

This new body of work consists of several sculptures, photographs anddrawings. They explore aspects of representation and media manipulation,connected across a biographical narrative. Gordon-Bennett sponsoredsporting events to create media spectacles that were covered by hisnewspaper, The New York Herald. These works reverse this process bycreating a series of spectacles that manipulate or misrepresent his life. Theyare not so much memorials to Gordon-Bennett’s extravagant lifestyle, butstarting points for a conversation about how social events and perceptionsare constructed and remembered.

A display of modified cars, commonly known as ‘boy racers’, is included inthe exhibition. These young contemporary car enthusiasts will take the placeof the original twelve drivers from the 1903 Gordon-Bennett Race in Co.Kildare and compete for prizes.

Alan PhelanGordon-Bennett


Grennan Mill, Thomastown

Admission Free

44

Baron Pierre de Caters approachesthe grandstand at Ballyshannonduring the 1903 “Gordon BennettCup Road Race”. Photographcourtesy of the Gordon-Bennett Race

This music and sound installation takes the idea of sculpture into a differentrealm as a natural space is shaped and mutated by a surround-sound andlight installation with live musicians. Set in a hidden clearing in KilfaneGardens, this is a sculptured space with a difference. See page 24.

Add your own graffiti and see the results.

Lúghaidh Ó Braonain invites you to create his next piece of work. Entirelyoriginated in Kilkenny, you are invited to leave your graffiti mark on a windowin the city centre. Through a shop window performance, this graffiti will then beinscribed onto an acrylic sheet. With the aid of the latest materials and lighteffects, this will then be formed into the final piece that closes the circle in ÓBraonain’s monumental light sculpture.

Drawing on the drama of the megalithic circle setting, but dealing withcontemporary issues of politics and youth culture, 2-3m high perspex tubes,illuminated from above, will create a modern mythic space where the banalitiesof contemporary expressions play in contrast to their oracular ancestors.

Circle is the installation. Scribe is your input.

Lúghaidh Ó BraonainCircle 1 and Scribe

Daniel Figgis’ Motor


City Centre & (a few days later)Grennan Mill, Thomastown

Admission Free

45

46

Born in 1964 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where hecurrently lives and works, Ernesto Neto hasexhibited internationally with solo showsworld-wide. His work is represented in severalmuseum collections, among them the CentrePompidou, Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, TateModern, MoCA, Carnegie Museum and theHirshhorn Museum.

In his installations, the choice of materials isquite crucial. Lycra, a textile typically used forwomen’s hosiery, polyamide fabrics, sand andstyrofoam produce a soft and fantastic impact,where volume is balanced with the impressionof ethereal lightness.

For the Butler Gallery, his sculptures take intoaccount the specific appeal of the space alongwith a perception that includes all the senses,which will transform his exhibition into anintense experience. His work creates anatmosphere of intimacy in space.

Ernesto NetoSaturday 7 August - Sunday 17 OctoberButler Gallery, Kilkenny CastleAdmission Free

An exhibition of forty new art works acquired by the Department ofFinance and Personnel, Northern Ireland and the Office of Public Works.It is the seventh joint exhibition shared by the two Departments, and thefourteenth in the OPW touring Art of the State exhibition series.

The exhibition comprises of works ‘currently’ being purchased by bothDepartments. It features art works that have been recently acquired,covering a wide range of styles and media to include landscape,figurative and abstract paintings, graphics and contemporaryphotography. A fully illustrated catalogue accompanies the exhibition.

Currents

Friday 6 - Saturday 28 AugustAugustinian Friary, CallanAdmission Free

47

The National Craft Gallery hosts a major exhibition of contemporary Norwegianjewellery. This work challenges conventions and displays a sense of intimacy, asense of humour and above all, a sense of style.

Norwegian Contemporary Jewellery

Friday 6 August - Sunday 3 OctoberNational Craft Gallery, Castle YardAdmission Free

Sculpture at Kells 2004 features Irish and international artists working inperformance, installation and sculpture, all sited in the magnificent ten-acremonastic ruins of Kells Priory. Participating artists include Alannah O’Kelly -who will be devising a site specific performance in response to the site - BenReilly and Alan Mongey from Ireland, Sharon Kallis (Canada), GinnyHutchison (Scotland), British sculptor Glynn Williams and Irish-based artist,Nigel Rolfe.

Sculpture at Kells

Friday 6 -Sunday 15 AugustKells PrioryAdmission Free

An exhibition of drawings, painting, sculpture, photographs and sound. The workis concerned with themes such as the oppression of time, the artist and theMuse, the darkness and light within us all and the attempted escape fromreality. Sound work includes original improvised piano and guitar music, alongwith the sounds of wind and rain and digitally constructed effects. The artistwishes to acknowledge the importance of the audience, the desire of artists toengage with other people and the attempt to elicit an emotional response.

Philip Cullen trained as a sculptor in the Crawford College of Art and Design.He has long experience in working in arts education in a variety of disciplines,and works as a freelance photojournalist.

Philip Cullen90 Days

Sunday 1 - Tuesday 31 AugustWatergate Theatre GalleryAdmission Free

48

What could be more miraculous and memorable than the arrival of a giantflock of butterflies? High above the crowds on stilts, these noble butterfliesoffer a colourful start to the Festival. Based on British butterflies, the SwallowTail, the Oak Blue, the Adonis Blue and the Red Admiral – these stilt insectswill adorn the streets in celebration of the opening of the Festival. So comealong and meet these gentle butterflies – and watch out for their antennae!

Opening - Neighbourhood Watch Stilts International

The Butterfly Collection

Friday 6 August

Streets of Kilkenny, 1pm & 5pm

Admission Free

We did it last year, and you turned up inforce. So here we go again! Come alongand drum to your heart’s delight as part ofKilkenny’s second Festival Drumcircle. It’sthe last Sunday of the Festival, so comeand bring ten days of Festival fever to aresounding close with a beat to beat ‘emall and a rhythm to rock Kilkenny!

Closing

Festival DrumcircleSunday 15 August

Kilkenny Castle Grounds, 4pm

Admission Free - If you have adrum, bring it along and aspare to share. If you don't -there'll be plenty.

Phot

ogra

ph C

olm

Hog

an

49

Festival favourites in 2003, Walk the Plank return bypopular demand to create a pyromusical for theopening of Kilkenny Arts Festival 2004.

With a wealth of experience of firing to music - andhaving done so at both the Sefton Summer Classicsconcert and at the Gunnersbury Park outdoor classicalconcert in England in 2003 - pyrotechnics designer LucyCarlin brings her magic to Woodstock Gardens.

The audience can expect both an exquisitely timed andvisually spectacular performance. Fireworks will be firedalongside the Northern Chamber Orchestraperforming Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks - a perfect end to this magical evening.

Walk the Plank promises an unforgettable opening toKilkenny Arts Festival 2004. An unmissable event for allthe family. Bring a picnic and enjoy a magical summer’sevening in the beautiful surroundings of one ofIreland’s best-loved gardens.

For full concert programme details, see page 11.

Walk the Plank(England)

Saturday 7 August

Woodstock Gardens, Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny. Gates 6.30pm for 7.30pm concertEnds 10pm.

Admission €20 seated/€7.50 Standing/ €15 Family Standing (Max 2 adults, total 4)Buses will depart from the Parade, Kilkenny Castle, €10 return. Tickets must be purchasedin advance from the Festival Box Office.

Corporate tables are available for a pre-concert dinnerat Mount Juliet Conrad Hotel. Please contact the Festivaloffice for details.



50

Have you ever dreamt of the ultimatepunk hair-style but been too afraid of yourmother to do it? What about multi-coloured spiky, or goth black? Renaissanceregal or just a shocker to stun the officeon Monday morning?

Well now’s your chance!

This daring and impudent Spanish streetanimation company make it all OK.Because it’s creative and innovative hair-art. Taking place entirely before acaptivated audience, you can be the centreof the show. Climb up there, get in thechair, and free yourself into the capablehands of Petra Rochau and Sonia Gomezfor a daring and original hairsculpture.

Stand back in curiosity, wonder or horror,and watch the transformation.

Whose hair dares!

Osadia (Spain)

Wednesday 11 & Thursday 12 AugustMarket Cross Shopping Centre

Friday 13 & Saturday 14 AugustStreets of Kilkenny

12 noon - 1.30pm & 2.30pm - 4pm daily

Admission Free

“Art has gone to people’s heads”CNN, The Art Club

“Osadia gathered crowds as theyperformed free psychedelic hairdos…”The Times

MARKET CROSSSHOPPING CENTRE

51

Cuban Films

La Ultima Cena(The Last Supper)Directed by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea1976, colour, 120 mins

This beautifully made film tells thestory of a slave revolt during HolyWeek on a sugar plantation in lateeighteenth-century Havana. Aleapresents a fierce indictment ofreligious hypocrisy and sinks histeeth into every historical colonialinfluence, crying out for a self-determined Cuban identity.

Tuesday 10 AugustParade Tower, 7.30pm

LuciaDirected by Humberto Solas1969, B&W, 160 mins

This classic of Cuban cinema looksat the life and deeds of women inCuban modern history from the warof Independence in 1895 to theRevolution of 1959. An anthologyfilm, this tour de force offers atriptych of stories, employing adifferent idiom and visual style foreach section. Each story is hung ona love drama as three women, fromthree different classes, grapple withthe role of women in revolution.

Wednesday 11 AugustParade Tower, 7.30pm

Clandestinos(Underground) Directed by Fernando Perez1987, colour, 98 mins

This classic Cuban film centers on alove affair between two youths andtheir struggle in the urbanunderground movement againstdictator Fulgencio Batista in the late1950s. Full of suspense, thisinspirational film portrays theheroism of the Cuban youth andtheir sacrifices that brought theRevolution to fruition. FernandoPerez, who began his film career asassistant director to TomásGutiérrez Alea and SantiagoAlvarez, stands apart from hisCuban counterparts for his ability toportray human dilemmas in quirky,unpredictable ways.

Friday 13 AugustParade Tower, 7.30pm

This year Kilkenny Arts Festival presents the films of three of Cuba’s leading film directors. All internationallyrecognised and award winners, these directors’ films are classics of their time – the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s - and depictlife in Cuba in a raw, touching, and thought-provoking light. A hidden Cuba that says much about its history andcontemporary influences, and a rare chance to see these films.

All films have English subtitles, and are not suitable for children.

Cuban band, Asere, play what promises to be a sensational gig on Friday 13 August.See page 25.

52

Two swindlers come into townpretending to be master tailors. Thevain Emperor summons them to makehim a set of clothes the like of whichhas never been seen before….

This charming and humorousadaptation is told through puppetry,original music and storytelling, andwill delight younger audiences with itsmagical and evocative simplicity.

Banyan Theatre Company(Northern Ireland)

The Emperor’s New Clothes

Saturday 7 August

Paulstown Community Hall, 11amAugustinian Priory, Callan, 4pm

Saturday 14 AugustParade Tower, Kilkenny Castle, 3pm

Admission €6

“A puppet version of the emperor’snew clothes’ with deceptive simplicityand easy, persuasive humour… a richly colourful, gently witty andeloquently performed piece oftheatre. Highly recommended”Time Out, London


53

One of those unforgettable gentle tales – a blasted heath, mysteriously coldand quite deserted… But what’s this? There are people living here, hiddenunder rocks and in little holes in the ground – small sweet people, but veryfrightened people.

And no wonder. The lake houses a dragon, and a not very happy lookingdragon at that. When the dragon and the little people finally come togetherthe land begins to look a bit rosier.

Tiny rod puppets and live music make this a must for everyone over 6.

Papyrus Theatre Company (Belgium)

The Little People of the MistMonday 9 & Tuesday 10 August

City Centre (see Box Office fordetails), 1pm & 4pm daily

Admission €8

Told without a word of text, using dance, mime and music, White Side Storybrings smiles and laughter to the faces of children and adults alike.

See page 10 for full details.

Comic Trust Theatre Company (Russia)

White Side Story

BellevilleRendezvous Director Didier Brunner80 mins

Recently adopted by an oldlady, Champion is not ahappy boy. He leads a verylonely life and so the oldlady buys him everythingshe can think of to makehim happy - a train set, adog, a TV, but none of itworks. She sees him cuttingout articles on famouscyclists from the papersand, inspired, she buys hima tricycle. And how itchanges their lives!

From Darkness will also beshown before this film (see panel on this page).

Tuesday 10 August

Kirikou andthe SorceressDirector Michel Ocelot70 mins

The classic African folk taleof Kirikou, a brave littleboy, the bravest in all theworld, who is not in theleast bit afraid to take onthe Sorceress. So what ifshe is evil, and dangerous,he’s Kirikou, the bravestlittle boy on the planet!He’s also very clever,outsmarting the Sorceresswhen she least expects it.

From Darkness will also beshown before this film.

Wednesday 11 August

The Boy WhoWanted to be a BearDirector Jannik Hastrup75 mins

11-year-old Pablo dreamsof becoming initiated as abear, the chosenrepresentative of a village,the one in contact with thegods. Pablo is sent off towork at a coffee plantationbecause he is careless inhis job as a shepherd, andhis dream of becoming abear is shattered. Buteventually his father comesfor him. Pablo is going toparticipate in the annualpilgrimage to the God ofthe Snow Mountains, so hisdream of becominginitiated as a bear isawakened once more.

From Darkness will also beshown before this film.

Thursday 12 August

54

Young People’s Film

All Watergate Theatre, 2pm Admission €2.50All films PG 10 years +

A season of the best of animated film at the Watergate Theatre including: From Darkness the locally-producedanimated film, shortlisted for an Oscar nomination – made by Cartoon Saloon in Kilkenny.

A stunning animated shortfilm from Kilkenny’s ownanimation studio CartoonSaloon. Shortlisted for anOscar Nomination for bestanimated film in 2003 andwinner of Best AnimatedFilm at Galway Film Fleadh,Boston Irish Film Festivaland the Kerry Film Festival,this is a truly beautifulwordless depiction of theInuit folk-tale of a lonelyfisherman who drifts intohaunted waters in searchof food and finds morethen he bargained for.

This short film will be shownbefore each main film.

From Darkness Director Nora TwomeyGeneral Cert. 10 mins


Martin Waddell has twice won the SmartiesBook Prize - for Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear?and Farmer Duck - as well as the Best Books forBabies Award for Rosie’s Babies and the KurtMaschler Award for The Park in the Dark. InMay of this year Waddell won the Hans ChristianAndersen Author Award. A wonderful reader aswell as storyteller, a chance to spend some timehearing Martin Waddell read from his books foryoung children must not be missed.

A reading for children 5 to 9 years, and of courseanyone else who loves books.

Martin Waddell

Wednesday 11 August

Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel, 12 noon

Admission €5

55

Kate Thompson, twice winner of The Bisto Award for The Beguilers andThe Alchemist's Apprentice is one of the most exciting writers currentlywriting for children. She was shortlisted again this year for Origins, the thirdtitle in the excellent trilogy which explores genetic engineering, a trilogy thatbegan with Missing Link. A gifted storyteller, Kate Thompson has alsotrained race horses in England and the USA, studied law in London andtravelled extensively in India.

A reading for young people from 10 upwards.

Both Kate and Martin will be signing copies of their books after the readings.

Kate ThompsonSaturday 14 August

Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel, 4pm

Admission €5

“Kate Thompson writes withmarvellous and magical ease”Times Educational Supplement

“(The Beguilers) is a miracle of abook and one to be taken seriouslyby any reader who expects a book toteach, enrich, bewilder, seduce andwell, beguile.”The Irish Times

56

Workshops

For some exciting new plays for children, please see page 61.

Karen Torley, master puppeteer of Banyan Theatre Company, andpuppetmaker extraordinary leads a five-day workshop for young people.Write the story, make the cast, draw and build the set, sort out the music,and by Friday you should be ready to do your own show! You know you can,and Karen can help you.

Weave! The smallest of working looms, (each) set up on a table-top, get your bag of fabric out, old denims, feathers,beautiful silks, ribbons, you name it, you can weave it. All it takes is your imagination. And just a little help frommagic weaver Krisztina Dragoman to weave a wee thing to take home with you. Ages 8 upwards

Make A ShowMonday 9 - Friday 13 August

Kilkenny City School, New Street,10am - 3pm daily (bring lunch, half-hour break on the premises)

Performance for an invited audience at 2pm onFriday – this is going to be the hottest ticket intown, these kids won’t let just anybody in!

Monday 9 AugustKilkenny City School, New Street,10am - 12am & 3pm - 5pm

Tuesday 10 AugustFreshford: 20/20 Building,Freshford, 11am - 1pm

Wednesday 11 AugustGraiguenamanagh Library, 11am - 1pm

Thursday 12 AugustLoughboy Library, 11am - 1pm

Friday 13 AugustMullins Mill, Kells, 11am - 1pm

Saturday 14 AugustKilkenny City School, New Street,2pm - 4pmAdult and Children workshop –Bring Your Favourite Grown-Up!

Video animation, design and 3D performance workshop. After theirexperience with Katapult, some of the young people involved in theoutreach programme share their new skills and creative talent with theiryounger contemporaries. Work alongside these inspiring young people andcreate your own artwork. Age 12 years upwards

Step into your dreams Sunday 8 AugustThe Barn at Barnstorm TheatreCompany, Church Lane, 11am - 1pmAdmission €15

This year, we introduce a few new elements – sure don’t we always?Craft is the focus for many of our workshops; weaving, willow-work,instrument-making and serious recycling are all part of the programme thisyear. And we’ve gone further than ever this year too, out to Kells andFreshford, as well as our usual haunts of Thomastown, Graiguenamanagh,Callan, Urllingford and of course The City, with puppet performances inPaulstown and Callan – so no excuses now, it’s practically on your doorstep.

Unless otherwise stated all workshops are for

children aged 8 years upwards.

All materials are supplied, but we do supply a

“gather list” for some of the workshops,

particularly ones that focus on recycling and found

objects. Ask at Box Office. And Wear Old Clothes!

57

Percussion Make and Do

Paint It!

Led by Gerry Foran aka Professor Phullbinn - Master RecycologistCreate sculptural pieces in a weird and wacky way. Come and see what youcan do with cereal boxes, cardboard inner tubes, potato sacks, baling twine,feathers, newspapers, leaves, twigs, egg cartons, wire coat hangers... youname it! Let your imagination run riot - design your own wedding hat, or acowboy’s Stetson!

Heike Kahle and Klaus Hartmann return to the Festival this year, followingtheir hugely successful Willow Weaving workshops last year. This year theywill give workshops in the county, as well as in the city, and once againyoung people will have an opportunity to learn this ancient craft, one whichhas been alive in Ireland for many centuries, and still flourishes in manyparts of the country today.

Tuesday 10 & Wednesday 11 August

Kilkenny City School, New Street,10am - 12pm (2 day workshop)

Wednesday 11 & Thursday 12 AugustThe Hall, Kells, 3pm - 5pm

Thursday 12 & Friday 13 AugustGrennan Mill, Thomastown, 11am - 1pm

(2 day workshops)

Let’s just enjoy painting!Let’s not worry!Let’s not think!Let’s just… PAINT!!

No longer do you have to worry about painting amasterpiece! This workshop is all about freeing upthose arms, leaving those worries at home, paintingfor pure enjoyment. This two hour workshop willgive you a taste of community painting, rhythmgames, singing and above all, laughing!!

Wednesday 11 AugustGrennan Mill, Thomastown, 10am - 12pm & Castlecomer Library,2pm - 4pm

Thursday 12 AugustKilkenny City School, New Street,10am - 12pm & 2pm - 4pm

Friday 13 AugustKilkenny City School, New Street,10am - 12pm

Saturday 14 AugustUrlingford Library, 11am - 1pm

Get recycling! Only this time, make a musical instrument with recycledmaterials and make music! You’ll explore the music and rhythms of othercountries – Irish Traditional, Africa, India, Native America… Move to the music,write your own songs, and discover the fun and thrill of sounds and rhythms,with recycling thrown in! Absolutely No Musical Experience Necessary.

Saturday 14 AugustKilkenny City School, New Street,11am & 1pm, 3pm & 5pmAdult and Children workshop –Bring Your Favourite Grown-Up!

Workshop costs:1-day €15 (2 hours)2-day €25 (2 x 2 hours)5-day €75 (5 x 4 hours)

Scrap Sculpture workshop - Happiness is a Load of Rubbish!

Willow-weaving


58

In recognition of the extraordinary number of talented local artists, this year Kilkenny Arts Festival, in partnershipwith Kilkenny County Council Arts Office, invited proposals from local artists for inclusion in this programme.

Proposals were invited from artists working in a range of media, and specifically from those who consideredthemselves as emerging artists. Kilkenny Arts Festival is proud to include the following 12 local artists in the2004 programme. All exhibitions are admission free and run from 6th - 15th August, unless otherwise stated.

Verge

Endangered is a group exhibition using various media. The work drawsinfluence from the experience of a residency, initiated by KilkennyCounty Council Arts Office, and based on the former Chadwick’s site inKilkenny. This is the first supported artists’ studio based in Kilkenny.(Exhibition includes the work of other artists.)

Friday 6 August - Friday 17 SeptemberCounty Hall and 72 John Street, 9am - 1pm & 2pm - 5pm

Group Show: EndangeredJean Conroy, Ailis Phelan, Richard Coghlan, Brigid Teehan, Steven Aylin and David Beattie

“This exhibition is a personal celebration of returning home after five yearsaway. It has always been important for me to base the subject matter of mywork on my immediate environment, and the views from the front windowof my house and the back window of my studio have been the mostsignificant influence in my work.”

Berkeley Gallery, Thomastown

“A combination of being in a shop, and the ‘footwork’ of the journalistsand photographers who cover such a large county, led me to the idea tomake shoes with news. Shoes can indicate a person’s job, social life, sportand personal taste.”

“fifteen”, Sabo Shoes & Bags, Caza Choo & Grahams Shoe Shop

Home: Debra Bowden

Shoes with News: Maria Casey

59

Lucy McKenna

“Working with whatever type of wood he can find, from bog oak thousands of years oldto discarded pieces of mahogany, Meaney sees ‘different things in different pieces. I getmy inspiration from the shape and try to bring out what’s already there, show it,highlight it, rather than force something that’s not there’.”

Kilkenny Castle Park

“I like to experiment with materials and see how they work together. In this collection Ihave mixed acrylics with handmade papers, threads, and sand among other materials.Texture, form and colour are as important as each other in my work, which is inspired bymy Kilkenny surroundings. These paintings are particularly energetic and colourful.”

Langton’s, John Street

“My chosen theme for this exhibition is Roman and Greek mythology, Titans, Trojans,lovers in the traditional style. Also metal and stone sculptures, combined with mosaicgranite and marble.” (Exhibition includes the work of another artist)

Arran Suite, Kilkenny River Court Hotel

Solstice: Jimmy Meaney

Collette O’Brien

“The ‘Universal Map’, is available in various venues around the city. This is a uniquemap in that it doesn’t refer to your specific geographical location, but rather, is areminder of your physical location in a place and at that point in time. It is a study oftourist behaviour, the need to define geographical position, and how difficult this iswithout having any sense of the area, street names, landmarks etc.”

Universal Map: Ailis Phelan

“Having relocated from Manchester to Co Kilkenny just over nine months ago, thecounty has had a huge influence on me and my work. The images in the exhibition arecolourful, yet I hope to capture an eerie quality that reflects the aura around natureand the self.”

Castlecomer Library

Siân Price

60

Collectors’ CornerCollect@NCG


Upstairs at the National Craft Gallery, 6pm

Admission Free

For the discerning collector, the Crafts Council ofIreland and National Craft Gallery are pleased topresent Collect@NCG.

Curator Brian Kennedy has selected work by leadingapplied artists from Ireland and Norway. Stunningwork in glass, textiles, wood, metal and ceramics.

These artists already feature in some of the world’smost prestigious public collections. VisitCollect@NCG and open your eyes to the beauty ofcontemporary craft. Collect@NCG is one of a seriesof exhibitions that will travel to Dublin, London,Chicago and Philadelphia.

And fresh from New York’s Museum of Arts andDesign, Ireland’s top contemporary jewellers will beshowing their work. Our 13 artists stole the show atLOOT! 2004. This is the first opportunity to see thatwork in Ireland.

There’s more jewellery downstairs in the NationalCraft Gallery, where Contemporary NorwegianJewellery runs until October 3.

61

“Who Killed Granny?”Barnstorm presents New Plays for Young Audiences

Monday 9 & Thursday 12 August

Parade Tower,Kilkenny Castle, 3pm & 4.30pm

Tuesday 10 AugustWednesday 11 August

The Garden Room, Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel, 3pm & 4.30pm

Admission €5 per day (i.e. for tworeadings), season ticket for all fourdays €15.00

Plays range in suitability from 6 yrs to olderteens - please check details of specific readingswith the Box Office.

Who’s writing for children in Ireland today? How do we excite children abouttheatre? What does the future hold for theatre in Ireland if we don’t nurtureour young audiences?

Led by well-known playwright Ken Bourke (Wild Harvest, The Hunt for RedWillie, The Ballad of Rory Roe) and Barnstorm’s Artistic Director PhilipHardy, Barnstorm Theatre Company’s New Plays project has been working withseveral writers over the last seven months focusing on the specific demands ofwriting for children and young audiences in Ireland today.

The plays, which include Who Killed Granny? by John Connolly, will be read,rather than performed, by an ensemble of actors, followed by a discussion ofthe play between playwright and audience. Come and tell us what you think…

Plays on Words - What’s so special about Irish theatre?

Open discussion

Friday 13 August

Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle, 4pm

Admission Free

To wrap up the New Plays for Young Audiences programme, on FridayAugust 13th there will be an open discussion (chair to be confirmed), witha panel of well-known, leading theatre practitioners. The discussion willexplore creating theatre in a changing Ireland, in particular the writer’srole in the process. All welcome.

Barnstorm is Ireland’s leading producer of theatre for children and young audiences whosework is experienced by more than 30,000 young people annually. Barnstorm is funded by theArts Council and Kilkenny County Council.

Funding Bodies

Media Partners General Sponsors Hotel Sponsors

Programme Sponsors

The KK Ormonde Hotel is the official accommodation provider to Kilkenny Arts Festival.Festival volunteers supported by National Irish Bank.Stena Line is the official maritime transporter for the Festival.

62

THE IRISH TIMES

FLOWERSBY LUCY

POE KIELYHOGAN MARKET CROSS

SHOPPING CENTRE

TheBritishCouncil

63

Kilkenny Cityand County Map CASTLECOMERBallyragget

FRESHFORD

Kilmanagh

Tullaroan Goresbridge

PAULSTOWN

Gowran

Bennettsbridge

THOMASTOWN

GRAIGUENAMANAGH

New Ross

INISTIOGE (Woodstock)

CALLAN KELLS

Knocktopher

Ballyhale

MullinavatCarrick-on-Suir

Mooncoin

Glenmore

Slieverue

Stoneyford

URLINGFORD

KILKENNY

Greens Bridge

DEAN ST

ORMONDE ST

NEW STPARLIAMENT ST

KIERAN ST

RIVER NORE

JOHN ST

THE

PARA

DETo Loughboy

To L

ough

boy

PATRICK ST

HIGH ST

Kilkenny Castle

St. Canice’s Cathedral

Rothe House

Coda Club

BarnstormTheatre

WatergateTheatre & Gallery

Market CrossShopping Centre

KilkennyOrmonde Hotel

KilkennyCity School

Venue Bar

Kilkenny River Court

Hotel

St. John’s Church

The Parade Tower

CastleGrounds

Hibernian Hotel

Butler House

Castle Yard

Langton’s

Friday 6 August

Dream City 3Dr. Ledbetter’s Experiment 6The Memory of Water 7Turlitawa & Les Manouches 18The Butterfly Collection 48

Saturday 7 August

Opening - Fireworks Concert 5Northern Chamber Orchestra 5, 11Walk the Plank 5, 49Dream City 3Dr. Ledbetter’s Experiment 6The Memory of Water 7Chamber Made - Room 409 9Turlitawa & Les Manouches 18Boi Akih 19

Sunday 8 August

Woodstock 2004 5, 21Dr. Ledbetter’s Experiment 6The Memory of Water 7Chamber Made - Room 409 9Andy Sheppard & Joanna McGregor 20

Monday 9 August

The Memory of Water 7Chamber Made - Room 409 9Colin Currie 12Camille O’Sullivan 22New Plays for Young Audiences 61

Tuesday 10 August page

The Memory of Water 7Chamber Made - Room 409 9Callino Quartet 13Trans-Fusion residency 14Shooglenifty 23Cuban Film 51New Plays for Young Audiences 61

Wednesday 11 August

Dr. Ledbetter’s Experiment 6The Memory of Water 7Chamber Made - Room 409 9Swept 9Callino Quartet 13Trans-Fusion residency 14Daniel Figgis’ Motor 24, 45Liam O’Flynn & The Piper’s Call Band 28Claire Kilroy in conversation with Tobias Hill 37Osadia 50Cuban Film 51New Plays for Young Audiences 61

Thursday 12 August

Dr. Ledbetter’s Experiment 6The Memory of Water 7Swept 9Trans-Fusion Concert 1 14Daniel Figgis’ Motor 24, 45Michael McGoldrick Quartet 29Dermot Bolger in conversation with Sean O’Reilly 38Osadia 50New Plays for Young Audiences 61

Friday 13 August page

Dr. Ledbetter’s Experiment 6Swept 9White Side Story 10, 53Trans-Fusion Concert 2 15Steven Isserlis Concert 1 16Daniel Figgis’ Motor 24, 45Asere 25Osadia 50Cuban Film 51New Plays for Young Audiences 61

Saturday 14 August

Dr. Ledbetter’s Experiment 6Swept 9White Side Story 10, 53Trans-Fusion Concert 3 15Trans-Fusion Concert 4 15Daniel Figgis’ Motor 24, 45DJ Steve 26New Cool Collective 27Brian Keenan 39Osadia 50

Sunday 15 August

Dr. Ledbetter’s Experiment 6Swept 9White Side Story 10, 53Steven Isserlis Concert 2 16Kíla 30Sharon Shannon & Friends 35Closing - Festival Drumcircle 48

Shane Cullen 41Jim Collins 42Pat Keck 43Alan Phelan 44Lúghaidh Ó Braonain 45

Ernesto Neto 46Currents 46Norwegian Contemporary Jewellery 47Sculpture at Kells 47

Philip Cullen 47Verge 58Collectors’ Corner 60Meet the Artists 40

Running throughout the Festival

• Opening • Theatre • Classical Music • Jazz & World Music • Irish Traditional Music• Literature • Visual Art • Meet the Artists • Street • Movies • Umbrella Events

64

Day-by-day Main Programme

Saturday 7 August page

Dream City 3The Emperor’s New Clothes 52

Sunday 8 August

WorkshopStep Into Your Dreams 56

Monday 9 August

The Little People of the Mist 53

WorkshopsMake A Show 56Weave! 56

New Plays for Young Audiences 61

Tuesday 10 August

The Little People of the Mist 53Young People’s Film 54

WorkshopsMake A Show 56Weave! 56Scrap Sculpture workshop 57


Wednesday 11 August

Martin Waddell 55Young People’s Film 54

WorkshopsMake A Show 56Weave! 56Scrap Sculpture workshop 57Percussion 57Willow-weaving 57


Thursday 12 August page

Young People’s Film 54

WorkshopsMake A Show 56Weave! 56Percussion 57Willow-weaving 57


Friday 13 August

White Side Story 10, 53

WorkshopsMake A Show 56Weave! 56Percussion 57Willow-weaving 57


Saturday 14 August

White Side Story 10, 53The Emperor’s New Clothes 52Kate Thompson 55

WorkshopsWeave! 56Willow-weaving 57Paint It! 57

Sunday 15 August

White Side Story 10, 53Closing - Festival Drumcircle 48

• Young People’s Theatre, Film, Readings and Workshops

Day-by-day Young People’s Programme

65

96-99fm www.rte.ie/lyricfm/

THANKS FOR LISTENING

Documents

Kilkenny Arts Festival Programme 2004