All hands are on deck at the Druid Theatre Company ahead of a double bill to mark its 50th anniversary. Rehearsals are about to start for new productions of JM Synge’s Riders to the Sea and William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, both directed by Garry Hynes. They will be performed at the Mick Lally Theatre in Galway in July, as part of the Galway International Arts Festival.
The creative teams for the productions have been busy. In Druid’s set workshop in Ballybane industrial estate, Co Galway, production manager Barry O’Brien is supervising construction of a dark, dramatic set designed by Francis O’Connor. This set will transform the tiny theatre.
Carpenter Gus Dewar has led construction. He is guided by O’Connor’s model box – a small mock-up of the set that will host both plays. The large industrial unit also houses a big collection of sets, furniture and props from previous Druid shows. Among them is two spinning wheels, one of which will feature in Riders.
Over in Druid’s costume workshop in Nuns Island, head of costume Clíodhna Hallissey is on the case. Along with assistance from O’Connor, She is designing new costumes, as well as drawing on the company’s large collection from previous shows. Maker Sarah Mascagni is creating a pattern for a test version of what may become a snug, decorative jacket for actor Marty Rea, who plays Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is played by Marie Mullen, who was one of the three founders of Druid, along with Mick Lally, 50 years ago.
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Druid’s double bill of Riders to the Sea and Macbeth runs from July 10th to July 26th, as part of Galway International Arts Festival.
