By Kevin Phoenix

On last Thursday evening, a delighted audience saw the U.S. premiere of “Fáinne Óir,” a new theatrical experience hailing from County Mayo at the Peter Norton Theatre in Symphony Space.

This production, a unique hybrid of music, dance and dramatic recitation, is the recent creation of composer Kathy Fahey, who along with co-producer Mike Hannon brought to the New York stage for one performance a timeless story of the Irish-American experience five generations in the making.

The story centers around the O’Malley family of Glanageeha, set at the heights of the Great Hunger from 1845-1848 in idyllic West Mayo, and follows the life of the eldest daughter, the aptly named Saoirse, as she journeys from her desolating fate in Ireland to the liberating opportunities of America. Tragedy befalls the O’Malleys after the inconsolable disaster of mother Maire’s sudden death, and as the blight of the potato crop threatens incessant demise to their family, father Sean makes the heartbreaking choice to send Saoirse away to New York in the hopes of saving them all.

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The “Fáinne Óir” storyline, like many Irish heritage narratives, iterates this version of historical fiction to the hilt: the morbidity and despair of the Famine, the sorrowful separation from Ireland, and the perseverance and persistence, which leads to a happy and successful resolution. The American Dream as old as time, as it were.

Yet unlike its likeminded predecessors, there are a variety of factors that makes this production’s interpretation of the Irish-American story so compelling. What makes “Fáinne Óir” one of a kind is the pep of contemporary and modern flair which zests this age-old story in its multi-faceted approach to ambiance and expression.

 

“Fáinne Óir” at Symphony Space.  PADDYRAZZI.COM

 

The set design is sparse and simple, and artist Padraig McCaul’s abstract and curiously cubist artworks, as the sole backdrop of the space, brought an intriguing modernist perspective to the constantly reinventing story of Irish-American progress.

The ambitious music score, performed phenomenally by the Mayo Concert Orchestra, was as complex in its blend of Irish traditional and contemporary classical modes as it was a tremendous treat to hear. Fahey’s synthesis of ancient Celtic, conjured by choral group Voxfusion, and the traditional reminiscences, played richly by Diarmaid Moynihan, Stephen Doherty and David Doocey, melded so radiantly with the modern orchestra in a way that perfectly encapsulated the sound of Ireland in the 21st century.

Perhaps above all, the darling factor that literally had audience members jumping out of their seats, was the dance: a hypnotic halfway between Irish dance and contemporary ballet. Choreographed and starring renaissance artist of “Riverdance” fame, Ciara Sexton exceeded all expectations.

Sexton’s performance was, in a word, dazzling. The ravishing depths of authenticity and wit which Sexton brought to Saoirse should make her a model of inspiration and confidence to young theatre-goers in her own right, and coupled with the sheer flawlessness–the nimble elegance and emotional profundity of her dance–made her performance an utterly mesmerizing thing to have witnessed.

The show’s narrator was portrayed by Sarah Lafferty in vivid and marvelous form. Lafferty, whose ambidextrous talent will be familiar to many on Irish, British and American stages, delivered a performance of thunderous tenderness in these personal recollections of the narrator; tethering together the show’s many elements with a crystalline voice, soaring with speeches of pain, passion and pride.

Much of such accolades can be extended to the rest of the cast, with each individual embodying an exquisite grace and style, not a step out of place.

The show’s story begins in County Mayo.  PADDYRAZZI.COM

 

The titular namesake, the Irish-language words for “gold ring,” refers to Maire’s wedding ring that in the tearful climax of act one Sean painfully pawns so to afford Saoirse a chance at a better life. The gold ring takes on a symbolism of eternal unity: death and life, poverty and prosperity, leaving and returning to Ireland–if not geographically, then at least in one’s heart, in love, and in family.

“Fáinne Óir” is a tale of love, grief, loss, determination, and the joy of reunion, culminating in a marriage of past and present: old and new Ireland together in the land of the free. This show is sure to tug your heartstrings and wrap you around its finger like a fáinne óir.

https://www.irishecho.com/2019/10/fainne-oir-is-one-of-a-kind/?fbclid=IwAR2LUCKiR2z7_TSedTV2ZZz_zq6fzul81b_eB4GfQdXCbrHCc-f9SzQyDz8

Blog

This is a blog post I wrote back in 2014 about the first workshop I ran on Achill Island. I'm republishing it here, along with some others, to make sure I have them all in one place on my website.
Revisiting an interview I gave to the Mayo News in 2014 about moving to Achill and living and working on the island
Ten years is a long time! In 2013 I gave an interview to James Sweetman for his online e-Zine and Blog. In it we discussed my life before I became a painter and how I made the transition to full time artist. James is a highly-rated and well-respected Executive and Personal Coach, Trainer, Keynote Speaker, Author and Columnist, and he had some great questions. Below is the interview in full..
This is an article I wrote for the US website EmptyEasel.com in 2014. It is a short guide to my own philosophy around making a living as an artist.
In the world of art, few subjects have captured the imagination and creativity of artists as powerfully as landscapes. Here is an article written for the benefit of Google SEO :-)
My new solo exhibition, ‘The Ties That Bind’, opens in the Doorway Gallery, Dublin on July 7th and runs until July 28th. Here is an interview I gave to the Doorway Gallery as part of the social media campaign....
The RTE Nationwide TV programme is now available to view on the RTE Player.
In August this year I got to spend a magical 8 days at the Cill Rialaig artist residency in Co.Kerry
RTE Nationwide visited Achill in May, 2021 to film me in my studio and surroundings and to talk about my work and time on Achill Island
A DAY IN THE LIFE: PADRAIG MCCAUL, 20 APRIL 2021
An insightful, glowing review of Fáinne Óir from author and film producer, Kevin Fortuna.
Fáinne Óir opened to standing ovations in New York and Castlebar. Here is a comprehensive review by the Irish Echo, the oldest and largest selling Irish newspaper in USA.
Composer and conductor Kathy Fahey is bringing an ambitious new music and contemporary dance production to stage
I am absolutely thrilled to let you know about the world premiere of a new music and contemporary dance production, Fáinne Óir, which takes place on September 20th in the Theatre Royal, Castlebar before moving to New York for a performance in the Symphony Space Theatre, Broadway, on September 26th.
I am very excited to have been asked to create a set of new original paintings to be used as the backdrops for a new Irish contemporary music and dance production, Fáinne Óir.
A MAYO artist who is just back from a sell-out exhibition in Australia will be showing his vivid portraits of the Achill landscape at Ireland’s premier art fair Art Source, in the RDS from November 10 to 12. http://www.con-telegraph.ie/news/roundup/articles/2017/11/01/4147921-mayo-artist-in-the-national-spotlight-after-australian-success/
I held my first exhibition in Australia in July this year at the Kidogo Arthouse, Fremantle. It was a great success and turned out to be a complete sell out.
I recently exhibited at the Affordable Art Fair in London with the Doorway Gallery. It's always an exciting fair to be at and this was, I think, my sixth time at the fair. Here's a link to a great review of the show from William McKenzie.
Padraig McCaul paintings to feature in new national Eircode marketing campaign
Summer 2016 is going to be very busy, with paintings workshops, exhibitions and a major national marketing campaign to look forward to.
This is an interview I gave to the Galway Advertiser in the run up to my exhibition at the Townhall Theatre in Galway in March this year.

Fáinne Óir is one of a kind - Irish Echo Review

10/8/2019

By Kevin Phoenix

On last Thursday evening, a delighted audience saw the U.S. premiere of “Fáinne Óir,” a new theatrical experience hailing from County Mayo at the Peter Norton Theatre in Symphony Space.

This production, a unique hybrid of music, dance and dramatic recitation, is the recent creation of composer Kathy Fahey, who along with co-producer Mike Hannon brought to the New York stage for one performance a timeless story of the Irish-American experience five generations in the making.

The story centers around the O’Malley family of Glanageeha, set at the heights of the Great Hunger from 1845-1848 in idyllic West Mayo, and follows the life of the eldest daughter, the aptly named Saoirse, as she journeys from her desolating fate in Ireland to the liberating opportunities of America. Tragedy befalls the O’Malleys after the inconsolable disaster of mother Maire’s sudden death, and as the blight of the potato crop threatens incessant demise to their family, father Sean makes the heartbreaking choice to send Saoirse away to New York in the hopes of saving them all.

SIGN UP TO THE IRISH ECHO NEWSLETTER

The “Fáinne Óir” storyline, like many Irish heritage narratives, iterates this version of historical fiction to the hilt: the morbidity and despair of the Famine, the sorrowful separation from Ireland, and the perseverance and persistence, which leads to a happy and successful resolution. The American Dream as old as time, as it were.

Yet unlike its likeminded predecessors, there are a variety of factors that makes this production’s interpretation of the Irish-American story so compelling. What makes “Fáinne Óir” one of a kind is the pep of contemporary and modern flair which zests this age-old story in its multi-faceted approach to ambiance and expression.

 

“Fáinne Óir” at Symphony Space.  PADDYRAZZI.COM

 

The set design is sparse and simple, and artist Padraig McCaul’s abstract and curiously cubist artworks, as the sole backdrop of the space, brought an intriguing modernist perspective to the constantly reinventing story of Irish-American progress.

The ambitious music score, performed phenomenally by the Mayo Concert Orchestra, was as complex in its blend of Irish traditional and contemporary classical modes as it was a tremendous treat to hear. Fahey’s synthesis of ancient Celtic, conjured by choral group Voxfusion, and the traditional reminiscences, played richly by Diarmaid Moynihan, Stephen Doherty and David Doocey, melded so radiantly with the modern orchestra in a way that perfectly encapsulated the sound of Ireland in the 21st century.

Perhaps above all, the darling factor that literally had audience members jumping out of their seats, was the dance: a hypnotic halfway between Irish dance and contemporary ballet. Choreographed and starring renaissance artist of “Riverdance” fame, Ciara Sexton exceeded all expectations.

Sexton’s performance was, in a word, dazzling. The ravishing depths of authenticity and wit which Sexton brought to Saoirse should make her a model of inspiration and confidence to young theatre-goers in her own right, and coupled with the sheer flawlessness–the nimble elegance and emotional profundity of her dance–made her performance an utterly mesmerizing thing to have witnessed.

The show’s narrator was portrayed by Sarah Lafferty in vivid and marvelous form. Lafferty, whose ambidextrous talent will be familiar to many on Irish, British and American stages, delivered a performance of thunderous tenderness in these personal recollections of the narrator; tethering together the show’s many elements with a crystalline voice, soaring with speeches of pain, passion and pride.

Much of such accolades can be extended to the rest of the cast, with each individual embodying an exquisite grace and style, not a step out of place.

The show’s story begins in County Mayo.  PADDYRAZZI.COM

 

The titular namesake, the Irish-language words for “gold ring,” refers to Maire’s wedding ring that in the tearful climax of act one Sean painfully pawns so to afford Saoirse a chance at a better life. The gold ring takes on a symbolism of eternal unity: death and life, poverty and prosperity, leaving and returning to Ireland–if not geographically, then at least in one’s heart, in love, and in family.

“Fáinne Óir” is a tale of love, grief, loss, determination, and the joy of reunion, culminating in a marriage of past and present: old and new Ireland together in the land of the free. This show is sure to tug your heartstrings and wrap you around its finger like a fáinne óir.

https://www.irishecho.com/2019/10/fainne-oir-is-one-of-a-kind/?fbclid=IwAR2LUCKiR2z7_TSedTV2ZZz_zq6fzul81b_eB4GfQdXCbrHCc-f9SzQyDz8