What's On...

Three stories woven together by a common theme, investigating the way in which our inner vision creates the world around us.

Discover Azal the Artist who wishes for friends, Cinderella who wants to go to the ball and the old woman who lived in a vinegar bottle and wants to live in a big house. Their stories are presented using a broad range of puppetry, from storytelling to life size puppets, animated objects and shadow puppetry.

Cinderella’s story is told by her fairy godmother and incorporates real magic, storytelling and puppetry. With extra help from the audience maybe Cinderella‘s dreams can be realised?
Suitable for 4 – 8 year olds. Duration 55 mins.

To celebrate Africa Day 2010, The Dock in association with Mermaid County Wicklow Arts Centre and Irish Aid, presents 13 short animated films made by African filmmakers from the Congo, Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, Senegal and Tanzania - celebrating African culture and society and the diversity of the
continent.

As is true of animation worldwide, animation in Africa does not only exist in the realm of children’s entertainment, but also acts as a document of political criticism and social commentary.

Join us and witness an animated Africa! Suitable for primary school children aged 7+

- youtube clip shows African animated film about the environment of the earth. directed by Mohamed Ghazala (EGYPT) & Brukiawit Tigabu (ETHIOPIA)

FUNDRAISER IN AID OF GOAL - HAITI EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS

Conor Lambert’s Custard Pie Puppet Company will be performing their classic show, Punch and Judy, and family favourites Ding and Dong. All proceeds in aid of earthquake survivors in Haiti donated to GOAL. This fundraiser for the Earthquake survivors of Haiti is as much about us remembering that this disaster of unprecedented magnitude could take many decades to repair, as it is about fundraising. Higher donations are very welcome.

This show is live and interactive. Suitable for all ages.
Written and Directed by Conor Lambert

-youtube clip shows previous work from Custard Pie Puppet Co feat Crawley the Spider

SEACHTAIN NA GAEILGE SPECIAL!

Sa dráma spraoiúl seo, léirítear an tábhacht a bhaineann le bheith inann seasamh suas duit féin agus le tuiscint a bheith agat ar dhaoine difriúla. Baintear leas as ceol beo agus puipeadóireacht neamhghnách sa léiriú samhailteach agus snasta seo.

This magical, imaginative and sharp production emphasises the importance of standing up for oneself and having an understanding of others, through the combination of live unusual music and out of the ordinary puppeteering.

Directed by Marc Mac Lochlainn, An Chéad Chéim is suitable for 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th classes.

The Magical Christmas tree grows deep in the enchanted forest and is protected by special magic. Logan the Woodcutter is its guardian. Each Christmas Santa uses the magic from the tree to make his sleigh fly and to bring the spirit of Christmas to the world – this year however the evil Dark Queen has other plans - she intends to cut down the enchanted forest and destroy the magical Christmas tree… can you help to stop her, and join in with Santa, Logan and Finxx the Elf, to save the Tree … They need you to help them or … or … there will be no Christmas… The characters need you to sing and interact with them to help defeat the Dark Queen …

Suitable for ages 3-11

-youtube shows clips of the live show

To finish up RíRá Childrens Arts Festival bring along the whole family and take part in a selection of fun and creative activities - art play, literature, film, stories and more. All activities are free of charge on the day.

Including our newest art club which welcomes children and adults to join us in exploring our current exhibitions and together with our experienced tutors, carry out fun, family friendly activities for aged 4 -10 year olds from 2pm - 4pm. There’s no need to book for the art club but places are limited, so it’s best to arrive early to avoid disappointment. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Also in the BackRoom Café Bar, reading from their favourite childhood stories, will be local celebs - Mary Blake, Colin Regan, Charlie McGettigan, Evelyn Kelly and Cathal Roache - to captivate and transport us to the magical land of children's stories. Stories will be geared at children from 4 years of age to 12.

Interspersed with the story telling will be a literary quiz devised by The Reading Room Book shop, Bridge Street Carrick on Shannon with a fantastic prize promised to the winners!

Now in its second year RíRá takes place from Monday 12th – Sunday 18th October. Come along and be entertained by a jam packed programme with music, drama, puppets, storytelling and much, much more.

See below for full details and if you have any questions you can call our box office on 071 9650828. Like last year we are bringing the fun on the road with exciting outreach events which are listed in our programme. Remember capacity is limited for all shows and workshops and they book out quickly so advance booking is recommended – don’t be disappointed! Tickets for all performances and workshops are €5 for children and adults, unless otherwise stated.

Well done to Aoife Hillman from Gaelscoil Liatroma who won the competition to design the cover for this year’s festival!


EXHIBITION


UNTIL SUNDAY 18TH OCTOBER

CRAFT IN THE CLASSROOM
in the LEITRIM DESIGN HOUSE at THE DOCK

Leitrim Design House is pleased to present Craft in the Classroom, an exhibition showcasing work by children from 15 primary schools throughout County Leitrim. The Craft in the Classroom programme, sponsored by the Crafts Council of Ireland placed an artist into each of these 15 schools. The artists worked with the teachers and children, the result is this wonderful collection of work. Leitrim, well known for its creativity is clearly producing a second generation of artisans and this creative energy is highlighted by the Craft in the Classroom exhibition. Leitrim Design House, sponsor of this exhibition would like to invite you to call in and discover for yourself the wonderful creativity of our younger generation.


PERFORMANCES


WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER

NICO and MARTIN 10.15am & 12.15 pm
present
SEASHORESHOW

Sound travels faster underwater! Nico and Martin invite children to dive into the sea with them for a gentle participatory hour. There will be musical instruments both strange and familiar, songs, games, stories... and quite possibly pirates! Seashoreshow has been a hit at children’s festivals from Fair Head to Mizen Head and in schools nationwide.

Age: 4- 12 yrs.
Duration: 60 minutes
Admission: €5 (for children and adults)

NICO and MARTIN 6pm
present
INSTANT ORCHESTRA

Instant Orchestra’s have been formed and acclaimed by people of all ages nationwide and abroad. Previous participants include entire schools, actors at The Abbey Theatre, theatre festival audiences, Culture Night visitors to the National Concert Hall, and Mrs Mary Robinson. In this fun hour you’ll spend time mastering the angklung, a tuned bamboo rattle from Indonesia and then invent your own original compositions.
No musical experience required.

Age: Families with children aged 3+ years
Duration: 60 minutes
Admission: €5 (for children and adults)

ABOUT NICO AND MARTIN
Nico Brown was musician-in-residence at The Ark, Dublin for 5 years and, with Martin Brunsden, has performed numerous interactive music performances at The Ark and more recently at ArtPlay in Melbourne. Nico has written, performed and directed music for many theatre companies including The Abbey and Macnas and has appeared in ‘The Morbegs’ and ‘Art Factory’ on RTE. He also does regular workshops at the National Concert Hall with Martin Brunsden, who is an acclaimed double bass player currently playing with Liam O Maonlaí’s band and previously with the likes of PJ Harvey, Kíla and Solas.


THURSDAY 15TH OCTOBER

STORYTELLING with NIALL DE BÚRCA 6pm

The ever-popular Niall de Búrca returns by popular demand with some of his favourite tales for primary school children of all ages. More dangerous than the pied piper Niall will cast a spell on young and old alike, combining tremendous energy and humour with the sheer joy of language. Using his voice with the skill of a true craftsman, de Búrca makes the characters in his stories come alive for all to see. His tales of giants, goblins, elves and fairies will have you at the edge of your seat!

Age: Families with children aged 4+ years
Duration: 45 mins
Admission: €5 (for children and adults)


FRIDAY 16TH OCTOBER

GLITTER NA GIG PUPPET THEATRE 10.15am & 12.15pm
presents
IT’S MY PLANET TOO

Puppet theatre at its best with Seán O Laoghaire, whose show has enthralled, educated and entertained hundreds of children and adults alike. It’s My Planet Too is set in Nature’s Garden, Mother Nature’s home. Fox and vixen, cockle and hen, hare, badger, frog and red and grey squirrels live there and the seasons look after them, but recently the villain we call pollution has arrived and is constantly trying to overthrow Mother Nature’s reign. Who will triumph, the villain Pollution or the animals in nature’s garden?

Age: 4 -12 years
Duration: 50 minutes
Admission: €5 (for children and adults)

Supported by the Anti-Litter Awareness Grant Programme of the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government and Leitrim County Council


WORKSHOPS


SATURDAY 17TH OCTOBER

PUPPET MAKING with Seán O Laoghaire 11am

In this family workshop you can create your very own puppets using recycled materials. You will also create a theme and a simple storyline for your puppets to come to life in a short performance at the end. Children are encouraged to bring along any recyclable material (such as cereal boxes, toilet roll holders, pringle boxes, string and wool, shiny objects and yogurt cartons etc.) As this is a family workshop each child needs to be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Maximum of 15 children so early booking advised.
Age: 4 – 10 years
Duration: 90 minutes
Admission: €5 (for children - free entry for accompanying adults)

HIP HOP DANCING with Naomi Lee 11am

An excellent way to have fun and stay in shape! Learn dance moves and routines to the funky beats of the latest music and perform a short hip-hop routine by the end of the class. Please bring bottle of water.

Age: 9-12 years
Duration: 90 minutes
Admission: €5


FUN WITH FELT with Brigitta Varadi 1pm

Using natural wools create your very own pictures to take home with you. Let your imagination run wild and conjure up your favourite Halloween images-candles- pumpkins-skeletons with textile artist Brigitta Varadi. Parents of smaller children welcome to attend. Maximum of 15 children so early booking advisable.

Age: 4 – 8 years.
Duration: 60 minutes
Admission: €5 (for children - free entry for accompanying adults)

DRAMA WORKS! with Mary Blake 2.30pm

Explore your own creativity and imagination through the magic of drama whilst attaining new skills, discovering hidden talents and having lots of fun! You will work on dramatization of a well known tale and parents will be invited in at the end to see your performance. Maximum
of 12 children so early booking advisable.

Age: 6 - 9 years.
Duration: 90 minutes
Admission: €5

KIDS WOOD WORLD with Niall Millar 3 pm

Work with Niall to make your favourite scary Halloween shapes -spiders, witches, moons. Design and draw and Niall will help cut your shapes with his treadle fret-saw so you can colour and complete something special to take home. Maximum of 15 children so early booking advisable.

Age: 8 – 12 years.
Duration: 90 minutes
Admission: €5


SUNDAY 18TH OCTOBER

FREE FAMILY FUN DAY 2pm – 5pm

Come along to The Dock and take part in a selection of fun and creative activities - art play, literature, film, stories and more. All activities are free of charge on the day, including our newest art club which welcomes children and adults to join us in exploring our current exhibitions and together with our experienced tutors, carry out fun, family friendly activities for aged 4 -10 year olds from 2pm - 4pm. There’s no need to book for the art club but places are limited, so it’s best to arrive early to avoid disappointment. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Launch of Rí Rá Children’s Arts Festival brochure to co-incide with launch of The Leitrim Design House ‘Craft in The Classroom’ exhibition, showcasing work by children from 15 primary schools throughout Leitrim. There will also be a chance to meet some of the ‘Craft in the Classroom’ tutors on the day.

From 12th - 18th October RíRá Children’s Arts Festival will host performances, workshops, exhibitions and outreach programmes ranging from puppet theatre to storytelling, literature, music, dance, drama and visual art. Outreach workshops to schools on 12th and 13th, with performances and workshops at The Dock from 14th to 18th October.

The last Saturday of every month sees the galleries of The Dock open up to fun and games based around the visual art programme. This coming Saturday Sarah Stevens will facilitate an afternoon of creativity and fun.
This is a walk in workshop with an emphasis on fun. The only thing that we are strict about is that adults must stay with their children while partaking in the fun.

A play for children based on the stories by Aesop.

From the ‘Boy Who Cried Wolf’ to ‘Dog in the Manger’, ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’ to ‘The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing’ you know them all, Aesop’s incredible cast of sometimes foolish characters. Through his stories he parades before us a circus of human characteristics as colourful and as varied as the menagerie of animals (including the human) that he uses to communicate them. See these characters brought to hilarious life, with all their too familiar faults and failings, by members of the Working Actor’s Workshop of Theatre Makers.

Text by Jack Healy and George Hanover.
Directed by Jack Healy and the Cast.

Suitable for ages 5 to 9.

*SEACHTAIN NA GAEILGE SPECIAL*

Éiríonn Róisín mór le rón. Taispeánann sé domhan iontach fó-thoinn di.
Buaileann siad leis an iascaire Mícheál Mac na Mara agus tá sé ar tí an
domhan seo faoi thoinn a scriosadh. Ach a n-éireoidh leis?
Róisín and the Seal - A Shadow Puppet show by award winning Púca
Puppets, performed by director Niamh Lawlor and Mícheál Ó Gruagáin.
Written with humour and zest by poet Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, with music by
Sound Artist, Slavek Kwi, and Kila’s Colm Ó Snodaigh.

Suitable for ages 7-10

“The puppeteers are... unobtrusively perfect in every physical and vocal
nuance...a small stage gem that sparkles brightly.” The Irish Times

*PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SHOW IS NOW SOLD OUT*

As Santa prepares for another a busy Christmas, he gets a cry for help. The North Pole is melting and the penguins have nowhere to go. This spells disaster! Not only for the penguins and the polar bears, but for children everywhere. Without the snow and the special winter sunlight it will be impossible for Santa’s elves to keep up with all the toy orders! Santa enlists the aid of the audience, the Penguin twins and Kiko the Eskimo to follow the carbon footprints of the villain - Ollie Slick. They enlist the help of Jack Frost to avert disaster and bring a big chill back to the North.
Suitable for ages 3 -11

FAMILY DAY as part of RiRá Children’s Festival

From 2pm - 5pm The Daft Antics Street Performers wil be in The Market Yard and The Dock.

From 2pm – 3pm, Gallery Tour & Activities - artist in residence Laura Gallagher will introduce children to the current exhibition of two solo painting projects by artists Colin Darke and David Mabb. The tour will be followed by fun activities in which participants will have the opportunity to respond to the paintings on show. For ages 8 - 12.

From 3pm, there will be a screening of Children’s Animations followed by ET

AS PART OF RiRá CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL

This exciting young company from Galway, who have performed at Baboró Children’s Festival, return to The Dock with their latest colourful and imaginative production suitable for ages 7 - 11.

Up in an attic is where this adventure begins where Grace is searching for interesting things covered in dust way way down the back she takes the lid of a box and finds an old hat. The hat filled her days with adventure and fun suddenly it was gone...what had mother done? We’ll tell you the story of our hero called Grace and her search for her hat in the most fantastical place...

This lively bunch of musicians and actors bring their interactive and extremely participative show and invite you (children and adults) to play, sing and dance along with the actors to popular songs of the old time repertoire.

Suitable for ages 3 - 8.

in association with Children’s Books Ireland (CBI)

AS PART OF RiRá CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL

There have been many books for children which subsequently make it to the screen and a few books which have travelled the other way. The film adaptation of Katherine Paterson’s multi award winning novel Bridge to Terabithia is a great opportunity to explore how a book becomes a film. A one hour workshop devised by CBI takes place before the screening and will introduce the basics of adaptation and help participants to understand the process of page to screen.

Bridge to Terabithia tells the story of Jess and Leslie who escape from school and home to create a new magical land to rule over, a land which offers them an escape from busy households and school bullies and their friendship deepens as raw emotion and tragedy are overcome.

Suitable for ages 9 – 11.

AS PART OF THE RIRA CHILDRENS FESTIVAL

the innovative puppet theatre company, Your Man’s Puppets, brings us an engaging, interactive puppet show with information about litter, water pollution and recycling. Its funny, fast-paced story and unique characters highlight the importance of the natural world and encourage children to help create an environmentally friendly, sustainable future.
Suitable for ages 5 to 12.

Presented in association with Leitrim County Council’s Environment Directorate and the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government’s Anti-Litter Awareness Programme.

LAUNCH OF CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL with NIALL DE BÚRCA

The ever-popular storyteller, Niall de Búrca returns to The Dock to launch the Children’s Festival and enthral us with his tales from the length and breadth of Ireland.

From 15th – 19th October The Dock’s first Children’s Festival will host performances, workshops, exhibitions and outreach programmes ranging from theatre and puppetry to storytelling, literature, film,music and visual art.

Parents and teachers! If you are interested in becoming involved in the childrens festival please contact The Dock.

Winner of the Eco Trust’s ‘Eco Prize 2007 for Creativity’, this is a heart-warming tale of a man and his dog who set off on an adventure to change the world. Hear the wind, feel the rain, smell the lavender in this multi-sensory theatrical delight, with an insightful ecological theme combining great comedy, puppetry and inspiring storytelling from one of Scotland’s leading companies. Suitable for adults and children aged 7 and over.

The Puppet Lab’s production of the classic fairytale combines beautifully crafted wooden marionette puppets and chroma key technology. The result is an entirely unique performance - a mixture of live puppetry and on screen animation, producing a fantastic miniature world, which is a sensory feast for adults and children alike. Suitable for ages 5+.

Branar brings us on a magical journey with Ailbí, on a quest for beauty. On her journey she meets different and strange people, all with their own ideas of where beauty is. With original music, unusual instruments, magical masks and wonderful puppets, Ailbí’s journey is both inspirational and accessible to both those with or without Irish.
Tar linn ar Aistear Ailbí. Baintear leas as ceol nua-chumtha, uirlisí neamhghnácha, maisc draíochta agus puipéid iontacha sa léiriú spreagthach, snasta, insroichte seo. Branar is Ireland’s only educational theatre company to operate solely through the Irish language and focuses on the use of theatre and drama as learning tools for school students. Suitable for ages 7- 9.

As Santa prepares for another a busy Christmas, he gets a cry for help. The North Pole is melting and the penguins have nowhere to go. This spells disaster! Not only for the penguins and the polar bears, but for children everywhere. Without the snow and the winter sunlight it’s impossible for Santa's elves to keep up with the toy orders! Santa enlists the help of Jack frost to avert disaster. **Each child attending the performance will receive a free CD of songs from the show. Suitable for ages 3-11 & accompanied adults.

Bernard loves to fix things. He believes that every nut has its bolt and that everything makes complete logical sense, just like his life. Maimi sees the world in a completely different way… if it's broke, why fix it? Their chance encounter when Bernard is called to fix Maimi's chaotic cart, opens up a new world -one where broken possessions have a value and where life's possibilities are endless. What will this mean for Bernard's timetabled and very logical life? This is where the story begins…
Suitable for ages 7-11 & accompanied adults.

Join one of Italy’s leading children’s theatre companies on their magical carpet for a mesmerising journey far away to the wondrous and harmonius world of the Japanese Gardens. Dazzling dance combined with visual poetry, images and sounds takes the audience on a unique exploration of another culture. The audience is invited to explore the garden of light and sounds and, by moving, creates little dances and an imaginary journey…a feast for the senses! Suitable for ages 5-11 & accompanied adults.
"A new experience in participatory theatre. a warm assault on all the senses

The Dustman lives on the other side of the mirror where cats talk and everything .oats. This is the place where dreams come from. Children from the audience are invited to go through the mirror and become part of their own dreams. You ’ll see the invisible mirror, the shower-phone, the .ying coat, the swimming .sh and you ’ll learn how the night got put into a saucepan...and into the oven! With live music from Carlo Capelli, stunning stage illusions from Marcello Chiarenza and catastrophic clowning from Patrick Lynch, this is a show you can normally only dream of!
Running time is 50 minutes. Suitable for ages 5-11.

A good word never broke a tooth! Join Niall de Búrca, one of Ireland’s finest traditional storytellers to enjoy a remarkable range of tales ranging from funny, lively, sad, to downright absurd! A hilarious ghost story-telling show.

Seachtain na Gaeilge Special!Bilingual storytelling for children with one of Ireland’s finest traditional storytellers, Niall de Búrca. A highly engaging performer, he combines tremendous energy and humour with the sheer joy of language. Using both original and traditional material he brings to The Dock some of his favourite tales, including The Banshee and Fiddlee Dee Fiddlee Doh, for primary school children of all ages. Dá-theangach. Níor bhris focal maith fiacal riamh/A good word never broke a tooth! Booking essential.