Teaspach's Blog

FREE "BEGINNERS DRAMA" WORKSHOP

2010-05-04T09:47:00.000-07:00

Teaspach will be running a free "beginners workshop" for any budding actors out there. It is part of the Spiritstore Cultural Dig, which will see Catherine Street transformed into a hive of artistic activity next weekend 8th and 9th of May at the Eva Grand Finale. Karen Fitzgibbon and Stephanie O'Keeffe will host the workshop in Faber Studios (opposite Burkes Bar) on Catherine Street at 2pm, all are welcome, it won't be daunting, and you'll have lots of fun.

TWO AWARDS FOR TEASPACHS PIPED PIPER OF HAMELIN

2009-01-26T05:29:00.000-08:00

Teaspach were delighted to be honoured with two awards at the Annual Mid-West Arts, Media and Culture Awards, held on Saturday night 24th January 2009 at the Radisson SAS Hotel . Both awards were for The Piped Piper of Hamelin..for Best Amateur Act (thought we are actually semi-professional!) and Best Director Naoimi OKelly.

CATCH MIDNIGHT COURT AT A FESTIVAL NEAR YOU!

2008-06-12T13:31:00.000-07:00

We're delighted to be bringing "The Midnight Court" on a little road trip. Unfortunately two of our original cast members were booked for the summer, so, in place of the divine Jean McGlynn we have the lovely Sonya O'Donoghue and in place of the delectable Pat Ryan we shall have the wonderful Aidan Crowe. Luckily,we have our originals (in every way) in the form of Myles Breen, Patricia Kelly and Roisin Connolly. The play is again in the hands of our superb director Ciarda Tobin

First off we head to Lovely Lough Gur for their Midsummer Festival on the 21st of June where we'll be performing in th HoneyFitz Theatre at 11pm.

Then we'll be performing in the woods (Yes,the type with trees!) at the "Flatlakes Festival" in Monaghan on August 23rd---they say it's the Electric Picnic for Theatre, which sounds pretty good to us.

And then off down to Kilmallock for the "Kilmallock Medieval Festival" on August 24th.

We shall then be doing the show with a little twist for the "I Love Limerick Festival" in September. I shall just give you a little hint by letting it slip that the delightful Alternative Miss Ireland shall be our Queen in place of Patricia Kelly for this run...more details later.

EIGSE EXCITEMENT

2008-05-11T02:22:00.000-07:00

We were delighted to be commissioned to produce Frank O'Connors adaptation of Brian Merrimans "The Midnight Court" for the Micheal Hartnett Eigse Festival in Newcastlewest in April.We were thrilled to have Ciarda Toibin working with us again directing the show. We had a superb cast with Jean McLynn as a young girl appealing to the Queen of the Fairies for the right to take matters into her own hands as she is demented about the lack of sexual attention from the men of Ireland. Meanwhile we have Myles Breen begging the Queen for mercy as regards the horrendous trap of marraige, he has been "burnt" by a deceitful woman and is totally against the entrapment of the institution. Both plead with the Queen in the Magical Midnight Court.We had an amazing support cast with Roisin Conneely playing the Baliff, Pat Ryan the poet and Patrica Kelly playing Queen of the Fairies.

The play was performed in candlenight in the Courthouse in Newcastelwest at eleven at night which meant that the Queen was giving her ruling just as the clock struck Midnight.The language is so sinfully witty,and was delivered so skillfully that there was an instantaneous standing ovation and the crowds were simply blown away.

Thanks to everyone involved x

UNFRINGED AWARDS EXCITEMENT

2008-02-24T13:30:00.000-08:00

TEASPACH'S "PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN" came away from the UNFRINGED AWARDS 2008 as winners of "BEST PRODUCTION" and "BEST ACTRESS" award as a collective (they couldn't split them as they had been such a unit in ensemble work)-the girls being
"Roisin Connelly",
"Karen Fitzgibbon"(co-producer),
"Cathy Walshe" and
"Stephanie O'Keeffe"(co-producer).
It was all a little overwhelming but so lovely to get the recognition for the long hours and hard work that goes into all our productions.
NAOIMI O KELLY directed the award winning show,
DAWN MCCARTHY(co-producer)assistant directed & assistant stage managed.
SHARON KIELY (co-producer)was costume designer & stage manager.
BRONA FLEMING was make-up artist.
ORLA KAVANAGH was our lighting designer and
MARILYN LENNON (co-producer)was our stage desiner and graphic designer.
WELL DONE TO ALL THE GANG

MID WEST MEDIA AWARDS

2008-01-28T15:22:00.000-08:00

Big surprise for Teaspach on Saturday night at the Midwest Media awards, as unbeknownst to us we were nominated for 6 awards!!
Richard Lynch and Brendan Hickey were both up for "Best Actor Award" for "Dracula",
Ciarda Toibin was up for "Best Director" for "Dracula",
Alina O'Shaughnessy was nominated for "Best Actress" for her role in "100" at last years unfringed festival.
"Dracula" was also nominated for "Best amateur Production" and "Best Theatrical Experience"

Congratulations to all the nominees.

Also massive congratulatons to our very own "Karen Fitzgibbon" who won "Best Actress" for her role with Amalgamotion in " Walking Away"
Big thumbs up to the wonderful Helena Enright and Amalgamotion for their many awards and nominations for "Walking Away"
Also Congratulation to Quarry Players for their "Best Director" and "Best Amateur Production" awards.

OH MY GOODNESS..LOOK WHO'S COMING FOR THE UNFRINGED FESTIVAL!!

2008-01-10T14:04:00.000-08:00

Teaspach Theatre Company, winner of the Spirit award for innovation at Unfringed 2007, present a staging of Robert Browning’s poem The Pied Piper of Hamelin. This is a fairy-tale for grown-ups, exploring issues of corruption, selfishness and retribution through Browning’s famous, blackly hilarious text. In a daring move, Teaspach have invited four story-tellers actually from another world to the festival this year; even as you read, the motley troupe are galloping across the universe towards Limerick in their magical carriage, taking time out to hone this extravaganza of story-telling and physical theatre. They take their job very seriously – but we promise they’ll make you laugh.
Directed by the deliciously talented Naoimi O'Kelly.
We'll keep you posted on the travellers every move...keep watching this space...you don't want to miss them

UNFRINGED CASTING...FIRST STEP....

2007-11-26T03:00:00.000-08:00

Hi all,we're all ready for our next undertaking which is a magical piece for the Limerick Unfringed Festival.We have the delightfully talented Naoimi O'Kelly taking our Directors chair for Robert Brownings "The Pied Piper of Hamelyn". Naoimi will have a dark and adult twist on this beautifully worded yet disturbing fable.The first step in the process is a workshop next Tuesday..4th December in Leamy House from 8-10pm.There is a nominal charge of 5 euro to cover the cost.People are more than welcome to come along just for the workshop experience, even if they don't wish to be cast(its fun!)....To book e-mail us at teaspach@gmail.com.

FUN FUNDRAISER!!!!

2007-09-27T13:42:00.000-07:00

WANT TO HAVE GREAT FUN AND HELP TEASPACH THEATRE AND LIMERICK RAINBOW PROJECT?

Teaspach Theatre in association with Funireland.com
Present a Pre-Halloween Fundraiser Dance Extravaganza in aid of
Teaspach Theatre and Rainbow Support Services.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 13TH at the historic Shannon Rowing Club on Sarsfield Bridge.
Featuring top Limerick DJ´s
NIALL COLGAN (Retromania, Strictly Rhythm) and
AOIFA NI CANNA (No.4 Dame Lane, The Hub)
PAUL TARPEY & PETE THE BEAT-(CHEEBAH)
With Funireland.com transforming the space, this will be a night to go down in the history books! Doors Open at 10pm. Tickets €15 presale/ €20 on night. Costume Optional.

SHANNON ROWING CLUB ON SARSFIELD BRIDGE "COMPACT AND BIJOUX" SO YOU REALLY DO NEED TO BOOK EARLY AS TICKETS SALES FLYING....

For Presale Tickets:

Rainbow Support Services, Leamy House, Hartstonge Street - Contact
Vanessa/Janet at 061 310101

Teaspach - Contact Karen 086 408 5498/Stephanie 086 166 8737 or email
teaspach@gmail.com

Fun Ireland - Contact Barry at Fun Ireland at 061 320 292 (Credit Card Sales)

DRACULA IS COMING TO TOWN...

2007-09-27T13:21:00.000-07:00

Well hello again..its been all action in the Teaspach camp recently.Dracula rehearsals are fantastic and if the buzz in the rehearsal room anything to go by WOW is all I can say.

We have an amazing cast..
Richard Lynch as Dracula,
Mags Clancy as Mina,
Shane Whisker as Harker,
Celene Natasha Murphy as Lucy,
Brian MacNamara as Van Helsing,
John Galvin as Seward,
Brendan Hickey as Renfield
Richard Tucker as Arthur,
Tim Hassett as the Texan,
Tracey Aspell,Melanie Meade and Almha O'Keeffe as the brides..
Tim Evans as the Priest & Draculas double
David Sheahan as Mr. Locke
Bridin Ryan as Mrs Westerna
Alina O'Shaghnessey as the nun
Joe Hanrahan as the captain
Niamh Bowen as Mrs Grey & traveller
Marina Postir as old woman
Guntis Klavins as Olgarin
Dmitrij Zarajskij as First Mate
John Grenville as Horseman

The amazing team of Ciarda Toibin and Dawn McCarthy adapted the script and are directing the Show.
We have the Ger O'Donnell heading set design, with the amazing Peter O'Doherty doing all the construction, and a host of volunteers,Richard Nolan,Ger Whelan,Noel Kenny,Aine Kelly, Joanne Kelly,Paco Uribe,Sadie Moriarty,Grainne Kelly, Lucy Peters,Ceri Garfield all giving a hand.Also Sarah Ryan looking after props .Sharon Kiely is heading costume, and the producers Karen Fitzgibbon and Stephanie O'keeffe are busy behind the scenes .Niamh Conroy is composing serious sounds for the show and Orla Kavanagh doing the lighting.

This show is going to grip Limerick audiences and go down in History as "The one not to be missed". The seating is limited as we've adapted the theatre so unless you want to be in the "we missed it!" gang,do book now.
.

LEARN TO DO IT ALL BY YOURSELF WITH GUY !

2007-05-16T02:17:00.000-07:00

Hi All-well the Guy Masterson workshop is on this weekend-Saturday 19th May from 10am-1pm.He's amazing-he comes to Limerick with his one man show "Animal Farm"on Friday night and then shall kindly share his knowledge and skill with us!! Anyone interested just call us on the Teaspach Phone-086 1668737-to book-places limited now but still taking bookings.The workshop costs 15 euro and if you wish to see his show on Friday Night you get tickets for 10euro if you're doing workshop!!

Now very importantly Teaspach are holding workshops on the 29th and 30th of May- evening workshops with Andrew Adamson and we woulsd ask all members and all those interested in taking part in this Octobers amazing adaption of Dracula (directed by Ciarda Tobin) to attend.We'll post more information later in the week-but just start clearing your Diaries ok !!!

WORKSHOP-TILL-YA-DROP!

2007-04-26T03:16:00.000-07:00

Hi all.Things have been a bit busy recently with behind the scenes work on DRACOOLA...so haven't been blogging much!
We've also been doing a few workshops and they are"good for what ales ya!-spirit and da soul".Antoinette Duffy gave a fantastic two weekend intense workshop on movement which Quarry Players hosted.Then we joined forces with Quarry for a workshop last week with Joan Sheehy and Geoff Gould from "Blood in The Alley".Joan stars and Geoff directs their acclaimed production of "SMALLONE" which will be hitting the Belltable for one night only 23rd May-DON'T MISS IT!
Anyway speaking of WORKSHOPS our very own Andrew Adamson will be giving a series of workshops for Teaspach very soon-we'll let you know when and where etc........We will be hosting auditions in June for Dracula so keep an eye on the blog over the next few weeks for word on these.Till then xxxxx

WINNERS OF "SPIRIT OF THE FRINGE FOR INNOVATION"!!

2007-02-17T07:10:00.000-08:00

The Limerick UNFRINGED FESTIVAL 2007 drew to a close last Saturday 10th of Feb with an awards ceremony and a party til dawn!! Teaspach were nominated in every category and despite stiff competition from various performers from all over the world, spirits were high as we managed to scoop the "Spirit of the Fringe" Award for Innovation on the night!! The cast and crew were smiling from ear to ear well into the early hours and motivation and enthusiasm are renewed as we head into an exiting 2007!!! ROLL ON DRACULA.....!!!!!

Fringe Fever

2007-02-07T07:36:00.000-08:00

WOW we've had a fantastic week! News just in today that we swept the boards on nominations for the 1st week of the Fringe Festival Awards for "100".We're in every Category! We had such fun and an amazing cast and crew,that this news is just the "icing on the cake".

NOMINATIONS FOR BEST ACTRESS (only 3 in category)
KAREN FITZGIBBON (as guide)
CHRISTINA CARTHY (as Nia)

NOMINATION FOR BEST ACTOR
Chris Sandford (as Alex)

NOMINATION FOR BEST PRODUCTION

NOMINATION FOR SPIRIT OF INNOVATION

Fingers crossed for Saturday night ,well done to all involved,and congrats to Karen,Christina & Chris xxxxxxx

"100" Trinity Rooms 1-5 February

2007-01-16T04:06:00.000-08:00

See you all in trinity rooms.

2007-01-04T13:46:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, we wanted to let you know there has been an exiting new twist in the plot of Teaspachs production of '100' and it has nothing to do with the text! Our director, Ciarda Tobin has decided to go with two separate casts and two performances to one audience each night for purely artistic reasons. We reckon Unfringed Festivals give theatre practitioners the perfect opportunity to experiment and we want to show audiences how the same play, when rehearsed with different dynamics within each group, can result in two totally unique performances. This is the first time such an event will take place in Limerick city and we are delighted about the prospect. More news on an exiting venue to be announced shortly!!!

Exciting Upcoming Production

2006-12-07T13:15:00.000-08:00

Imagine that you must choose one single memory from your whole life and capture it with a magical camera-everything else will be erased from your mind forever!
Imagine that choosing this memory is your only way of passing through to eternity.
YOU HAVE JUST ONE HOUR TO DECIDE.
This is the premise behind 100-a show devised by theimaginarybody- which burst onto the 2002 Edinburgh festival,winning a Fringe First Award.

Well this is our next undertaking.We held the first round of auditions through a workshop with Brian Desmond from "Be Your Own Banana Theatre Company".Ciarda Toibin is directing for us again(Thank God) and she will be holding the 2nd round of auditions shortly to choose the cast of five.
Its going to be staged for the Fringe Festival in February (The location yet to be disclosed!!)

2006-11-13T03:26:00.000-08:00

Well-we've been busy!!
"The Women" was a runaway success with a SELL-OUT show EVERY NIGHT.We had such fun doing the play and were thrilled with the public response.
However no rest for the wicked !! We have already secured the great Ciarda Toibin to direct our Belltable Fringe performance of the acclaimed show "100"-it is very different to our last show as it fits a fringe criteria-it is movement based,with a small cast and is set in a limbo type environment where 5 people have a very short period of time to chose one memory which they will have to re-live over and over in eternity!We're also all ready to rock the city next October with our production of "Dracula".We've got a few other surprises for later in this coming Spring-but untill confirmed we'll have to keep a lid on it-you'll be the first to know though!!
xx

2006-09-21T06:22:00.000-07:00

What kind of shananagans are going on in "The Women"??
All Action Stations at the moment-rehearsals in full swing and play really taking shape.Costume and set departments working around the clock and all actors and production crew giving it their all.Lots of seats sold already -how cool is that!!!! Been so busy have even abandoned the blog!

2006-08-14T10:40:00.000-07:00

CAST FOR "THE WOMEN"

Mary-Mary Jones
Sylvis-Karen Fitzgibbon
Crystal-Yvonne Collins
Edith-Patricia Kelly
Miriam-Celene Natasha Murphy
Nancy-Louise Hegarty
Peggy-Linda Hogan
Countess De lage-Eleanor Bennet
Lucy-Stephanie O'Keeffe
Mrs. Morehead-
Little Mary -Laura Hogan and Rachel Ward
Olga-Bridin Ryan
Jane-Anne Marie Sheehan
Greta-Marina Posti
1st Hairdresser /2nd Woman-Mags Clancy
2nd Hairdresser /Sadie-Margaret Healy
Miss Fordyce-Ann Darcy
Pedicurist/1st society woman-Sharon Kiely
Ms Trimmerback/Debuntante-Shirley Costello
French Maid/2nd Model-Jeanne Roy
Euphie/Fitter-Mags Clancy
Girl in Distress/1st Salesgirl-Alina Ratkevick
Princess Tamara/Ms Watts-Sarah Ryan
1st Salesgirl/2nd Cutie-Sinead Shanahan
Cigarettes-Emma Teck
Nurse-Niamh Coughlan
2nd Saleswoman-Meg Kenny
Dowager-Mary Grace
Instructress/Ms Myrtle/1st Cutie-Kristen Taylor

2006-08-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

Oh my Lordy lord ,What a lot has happened since our last update!!!!
We have our casting completed and have a great production crew gathered-everyone is bursting with enthusiasm and creative energy.We had a screening in"Aubars" and the cast got a feel for the general mood and look of the piece aswell as an example of the accents required.We followed up a week later with a production team meeting and though we have a hugh amount of work ahead of us we have an amazing pool of talented people willing to take on the challenge with gusto-the audiences are in for some treat!!!Last Tuesday the photographer Stephen Power took some fantastic shots in Harris' Bar of the main cast members .Stacey Grant and Dawn McCarthy were there to style the shoot and Ciarda Toibin directed the atmospheric shots-the first of many photo shoots we hope.
We'll be putting up a list of cast and crew in the next few days .......
Kiss Kiss till then Dahlings!!

2006-07-27T14:25:00.000-07:00

Casting decisions for "The Women" will be announced early next week.For all those who auditioned we know its been a long wait but you'll soon be put out of your misery and will know which lovely(or not so lovely)woman you'll be!!!

We are having a viewing of the movie version in "AUBARS" on Wednesday next the 2nd of August at 6.30pm.All who attended our workshop,our auditions and pledged help in the form of production are asked to attend.We will watch the movie to get a feel for the style and accents of the day and after we'll have a chat about the next step in the process.It's also a nice way to get together socially and meet each other-cos we'll sure be seeing plenty of each other over the next few months!!!!

Look forward to seeing you all xx

welcome

2006-06-30T18:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome everyone!!
Its all excitement in the Teaspach camp with things hotting up for our Autumn production of "The Women"by Clare Booth Luce.
Next Monday Ciarda Toibin will run a workshop to warm us all up and afterwards she will hold readings for smaller parts.Everyone interested in a part-large or small is asked to attend this workshop in the BOATCLUB at 7pm on Monday July 10th.
Anyone interested in a larger part should come to the workshop on Monday but will be asked to read on Tuesday evening -details will be given at the workshop.
We were really pleased with the turn out to our general meeting and we have lots of people on board interested in helping out in all aspects of the production e.g. costume,stage management,make-up,hair,set design - its going to be fun !!!!!