TOO few of us know that the original Limerick Gaff was a theatre on Charlotte Quay during the 18th century.
“There were tuppenny seats and six penny seats and to prevent the tuppenies climbing into the six pennies, barbed wire ran between the two,” recounts Monica Spencer, on the boards of GAFF and of Arts Council Ireland.
Operating out of 36 Cecil Street, formerly Red Cross Hall, GAFF is cradle to the development of drama, dance, puppetry, music, film and training projects emerging from Limerick.
The barbed wire is notional but as serrating. It’s the cut between funded venues/ companies and this struggling entity determined that fabulous work originates with support. You may have attended some: ‘The House of Delmege’ farce in The Hunt Museum; Pigtown Fling rehearsals; PULSE’s six short plays that platformed variously.
Mainstream and community theatre strengthen each other, bright lights such as Marie Boylan (board) and director Naomi O’Kelly piloting projects.
“The actual making of theatre is almost completely without funding in Limerick. There has been no theatre company funded by the Arts Council since Island and that has been the case for a decade,” Monica states.
City of Culture 2014 was the miraculous exception. O.V.E.R.
Much is on for 2016 and once €5,000 is raised for an essential sparkie/ structural upgrade, The GAFF will function again as venue. For now, its many works-in-progress kick over in outlying parts.
A voluntary group of professionals is core, working with paid facilitators to incubate the making of theatre and performance arts. Principal benefactors to a skinny €20,000 roll-over annually are JP McManus Benevolent Fund, Limerick Council and PAUL Partnership. Playwright Mike Finn heads up the board.
On July 25, 26 and 27, GAFF and Garryowen Youth Club run workshops with dance artist Laura Murphy.
“The reach-out is to new communities such as Knockalisheen and for children aged 12 to 14, it’s going to be culturally diverse”. The dynamic will be the sharing of stories, dance and social customs.
Monica Spencer, who has programmed this challenging year, is principal to October’s ‘Five Houses’, a new drama. “Moyross Community Drama members, who presented ‘The House of Delmege’ last year and saw each of the actors on stage for the first time, are now writing their own work. I think that’s brilliant.
“‘Five Houses’ is going to be seven 10-minute pieces built around the theme of loss and displacement from home”.
Finn’s latest, ‘Field of Dreams’, will sound out in November, based on stories collected from residents past and present of St Mary’s Park.
There’s more ahead for this ambitious outfit. Are you interested in being party? Tap into the wealth of workshops and performances on www.thegafflimerick.com
