Lessons From Louise

Holed up in a Carmen's bedroom surrounded by snacks, Carmen and Louise play out their intense co-dependent friendship. In a flurry of discussions and writing they furtively seek the essence of creativity, sanity and pistachios. Where power gently see-saws back and forth between the two friends, the lines between care and control gently begin to blur.
'Lessons from Louise' by Constantine Sandis is the high energy pre-summer studio offering from Impact Theatre to its loyal Limerick audience. It will run in the Gallery at Limerick Printmakers for three nights only.
Directed by Ann Blake, the production sees the return of Unfringed Best Female Performance Nominee Norma Lowney in the role of Carmen and Charlie Cassey, a native of Birmingham and Impact newcomer, playing Louise. 'Lessons from Louise' will run 9pm nightly from June 6th-8th. Limited seating. Tickets €10. Bookings 085 7477048 or info@impact-theatre.com
Image courtesy of Kevin Murphy. To see more of Kevin's work go to www.latchiko.com

Problem Child at Stix, Nicholas St. Limerick 2008

Starring Myles Breen, Norma Lowney, Niamh Bowen, Brendan Hickey.

Click here for more exclusive behind the scene shots (may take a short while to load)

Photos by Kevin Murphy http://www.latchiko.com/

As we are selling out this week, if you haven't been able to secure a ticket take a glance at some video clips from Limerick Blogger

PROBLEM CHILD by George F. Walker

Problem Child will take place in site specific location STIX, (Old Thomond Cinema) Nicholas St. Limerick where the venue will be transformed. Starring Myles Breen, Norma Lowney, Niamh Bowen and Brendan Hickey. From left: Helen (Niamh Bowen), RJ ( Myles Breen) and Denise (Norma Lowney) Above: Philly ( Brendan Hickey)

Limerick Blogger films Risk Everything

Limerick Blogger kindly filmed and posted a video with excerpts of Impact's rehearsed reading on December 7th. To view click on http://www.limerickblogger.org/blog/?p=4428

Volunteers Required

Impact are seeking a number of volunteers to work on their next full production in February 2008. The play will be in a site specific location in Limerick city and is called PROBLEM CHILD by GF Walker. It is directed by visiting Canadian Director Jeff Culbert.

The positions will suit those who would like to gain theatre experience for their CV, for those who wish to learn new skills in the areas of set design, press/pr, props, costume and stage management as well as general production.

If you are interested please send us an email (info@impact-theatre.com)describing in no more than 150 words why you want to volunteer with us. You can also telephone Niamh on 086 36 41 441 for further information.

RISK EVERYTHING

RISK EVERYTHING

by George F Walker

a rehearsed reading

& a wine reception

this thursday night december 6th 8pm

5€ Admission

Limerick Printmakers, Robert St. Limerick

info@impact-theatre.com to book

or text NIAMH 086 36 41 441

New Rehearsal Space and Home

Impact closed its venue in March 2007 and has moved the theatre company to Limerick Printmakers, Cormarket, Limerick. The company is only using its home as a rehearsal space rather than a venue as it would not be suitable for performances. Impact will be announcing its upcoming production shortly and will be updating this website. Thanks to everyone for their support and interest over the last number of months and we look forward to putting on many more shows soon.

Lysistrata in UL by Darren Maher

Impact Theatre Company in conjunction with the University of Limerick Drama Society embark on a Herculean task as they present for "LYSISTRATA" a Greek Comedy which will open on April 17th in the Swift Theatre, UL. This classic has been adapted by Impact resident writerDarren Maher and is directed by Impact's Ann Blake.Darren Maher known for his play 'Magnum Hopeless', has turned his pen to this Greek tale of sex and war, power and politics. Expect the usual sharp wit and much frolics as Impact's style moulds another memorable theatrical experience.

rehearsal pics

It will appeal to theatre lovers as well as the university population.Show runs for three nights, April 17-19. Further info from Niamh Bowen or email uldramsoc@gmail.com086 36 41 441

Oleanna 6 FEB-10 FEB 8p.m.

Oleanna is a play by David Mamet in the early nineties. It involves only two characters: a University Professor (John), and his student (Carol). John rejects any value in the learning system, (emphasising that the way students really learn is by direct battles with their teachers). Carol subsequently goes to war with him.


Oleanna Illustrates how all 'radical' professors are hypocrites, and how a movement for liberation (feminism) can be used to oppress and bully in the same way as any absolute doctrine.
This production features:
Norma Lowney and
Darren Maher
and will be directed by Paul Donaghue.

The Shape of Things by Neil La Bute

As part of the Limerick unFringed festival, Impact are staging The Shape of Things.
The Shape of Things is a play about relationships, art, and the importance of truth in both. Following in the footsteps of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, the story is a tale of transformation. Some of this transformation is intentional and some of it is not.
This production features: Celene Natasha murphy, Patrick Keaveney, Adrienne Lee and Danny Ryan ;it is directed by Paul Donaghue and Patrick Burke.

The Shape of Things shall be performed in the Impact Theatre from January 30th to Febuary 3rd 2007.
Booking is through the Belltable Arts Centre:
Box office: 061 319866
Administration: 061 315871
Fax: 061 418552
Email: info@belltable.ie

Magnum Hopeless by Darren Maher

Impact were pleased to celebrate the end of this prolific year with



'Magnum Hopeless'.


Once again the Impact Theatre was transformed for Norma Lowney's set design. This time it became a bar set where fair-weather friends undermined each other, lovers betrayed their love, and mobile phones were stolen.

Beckett's Women: a season.

To mark Samuel Beckett's centenery, Impact are performing eight of his plays; two full-length shows,and six shorts.


The line-up of the plays is:

7-11th Nov
Happy Days

14th-18th Nov
Catastrophe
Come and Go
Play

21st-25th Nov
Not I
Footfalls
Rockaby

28th Nov-2nd Dec
Endgame






Despite performing four productions already this year, we're showing no signs of exhaustion; 'Beckett's Women: A Season' shall see the performance of known (Happy Days, Endgame, Not I, Play) and less well-known (Come and Go, Catastrophe, Rockaby, Footfalls) works from a different perspective: these Beckett plays have been chosen specifically to illustrate how the author depicts women.

From November 7th until December 2nd the Impact machine will be running more or less constantly in our city centre basement theatre; apart from Sunday and Monday nights, when we'll be installing and removing sets!






Speaking of this ambitious project, director Patrick Burke has this to say "Yes it is ambitious, and very demanding for everyone involved, but we're delighted to be doing something here in Limerick that hasn't been done anywhere else. This examination of Beckett's female characters hasn't been done in Ireland before. "

Contact Niamh Bowen: 086 3641441 for further information.

'Misery' adaptation by Darren Maher returns

Misery extra dates : Tuesday 17th in Impact Theatre. Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th in The University of Limerick

'Misery', based on the novel by Stephen King, with Ann Blake and Darren Maher.

Regarded by King as his best and most personal novel,
-(In On Writing, King stated that he realized that the situation of the novel was a metaphor for the drug addiction he was suffering from at the time.)-
,' Misery' does not deal with demons, ghosts or supernatural powers, but rather with the darkness inherent in the human mind. 'Misery' explores the sometimes antagonistic, and always symbiotic relationship between writer and reader.

Novelist Paul Sheldon finds himself at the mercy of his capricious number one fan, Annie Wilkes. As a writer, Paul occupies the position of God in the place where Annie likes to live: the world of his 'Misery' novels. As Paul's saviour, kidnapper, carer and captor: Annie begins to exercise ruthless control over both his life and his creation.

Interestingly, Stephen King has stated that he wrote most of the book by hand.
photos

First Polish language play in Ireland.

Impact in association with Teatr Odnalziony are pleased to present;

The Maids/Pokojowki
by Jean Genet.
It's running from the 12th/16th of September in the impact space at 8pm nightly.

Tickets 10 €
Booking 061-318121.

Live Music August 12th

An exciting night of live music is promised on Saturday, August 12th as Vertigo Smyth and Windings join forces to bring their unique sounds to the intimate setting of Impact Theatre.
The last time these two took over Impact it was a memorable occasion not to mention the fantastic performances they put on in Dolan's at the Impact Fundraiser.
In the meantime Vertigo Smyth has been bringing his soulful music all around the country and recently made a television appearance on TG4.
Windings has successfully launched his second album and has also being touring his singular, one-man extravaganza around Ireland and Europe.
We are delighted to have them back to Impact Theatre for what promises to be a fantastic summer evening.

This Saturday August 12th. Doors 8pm. For further details contact 061-318121 or 086-8969195

Teenagers 'go Wilde' in Limerick!

The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde’s sparkling comedy, came to Impact Theatre, for four performances. The play was produced by the newly created Histrionic Productions: a group of aspiring young actors from around Limerick City and County. A spokesperson for the company said;
“Histrionic Productions is a project where some of the best young actors from around Limerick have come together to produce and perform this hilarious classic. Our ethos is to have young people in charge of everything from acting to directing to making the cucumber sandwiches.”

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde was performed on the 1st and 2nd of July at 2 and 8 pm at Impact Theatre (18 The Crescent, O’Connell Avenue) RESERVED BOOKING ONLY on 086-0795234

Fahrenheit 451 back by demand

As Fahrenheit 451 has sold out in record time; Impact are performing three extra dates this week:Thurs.18th, Fri.19th, and Sat.20th.

Guy Montag is a fireman, in his world; fireman start fires rather than putting them out. He lives in a society where people do not: read books, enjoy nature, spend time by themselves, think independently or have meaningful conversations. Instead, they never walk anywhere, drive too fast, and spend their lesiure time indoors hypnotised by television.


Impact began performing the Irish Premiere of Ray Bradbury's adaptation May 9th-13th.
Photograph

Impact Fundraiser Night in Upstairs Dolans.

Brad Pitt Light Orchestra, The Fewer The Better, Windings and Vertigo Smith all came together to raise money to keep the Impact, doors open.
Impact Characters from the Season mingled to entertain folk on the night; Panto-Horse delivered the Raffle Prizes – Impact style! Thanks to everyone for their support.

Arthur Miller's Broken Glass

From April 4th- 'til the 8th Impact Theatre are staging the Irish premiere of Arthur Miller's celebrated Broken Glass. The play focuses on the psychological aftermath of Kristallnacht, (the night in 1938 in Nazi Germany when thousands of Jewish shops and synagogues were destroyed). The fear and paralysis of the jewish people in the face of emerging race-hatred, is mirrored in the experience of Sylvia, a jewish woman. Sylvia reads the papers. She finds one day that she can no longer walk...

Music in Impact

Limerick based musicians Windings and Vertigo Smyth will be bringing some top class music to Impact Theatre on March 23rd.

Vertigo Smyth, no stranger to Impact, provided live music during the Unfringed festival after Magnum Hopeless. Currently recording his unique brand of soulful tunes the velvet-voiced songsmith has also found time to be gigging and making radio appearances.

Windings is the solo project of one half of the explosive Giveamanakick - a.k.a. Stephen Ryan.. Armed with only a guitar, a voice, and a bunch of strange little effects pedals, Windings is a truly distinctive one man show.

A night not to be missed!

Photography Exhibition

Lucia Mullerova (Photographic exhibition)

Dates: Mon13th-Sun19th.
Open 1-2pm and 4:30 - 6:30pm with the singular exception of Saturday 18th, when the exhibition will be open 11-2pm and 4:30 - 6:30pm.

Impact in the Unfringed

Impact were proud to take part in the legendary 'Unfringed' (fringe theatre) festival in Limerick, with a reprisal of two of the most popular one-acts from the autumn/winter season: An Ordinary Day by Dario Fo and One for the Road by Harold Pinter. The plays formed a double-bill which ran nightly in the Impact space from Tuesday 24th until Saturday 28th of January. Bookings: 061 318121 Also ,as part of the Unfringed, Impact performed a brand new play by Darren Maher entitled 'Magnum Hopeless'. 'Magnum Hopeless' completely sold out for the duration of the unfringed. People who are interested in getting on a waiting list for a possible future staging of the play are advised to contact the impact email address. E- Mail info@impact-theatre.com .

Dario Fo Double Bill

The Open Couple and An Ordinary Day
The Open Couple

A man respects his wife and, therefore, believes it is acceptable for him to pursue other women. He encourages her to do the same but this theory, when put into practice, has far more serious consequences than either of them could ever have imagined.

An Ordinary Day

Julia, a woman battling self-loathing and personal apprehension, has surrounded herself with self-help drivel.She has decided to kill herself,when suddenly a number of unusual things start to happen.
More on Dario Fo
Mon. 12th - Sat. 17th December 2005
Impact Theatre, The Crescent, O’Connell Avenue
Opens: 8pm
Bookings: 061 318121

Zoo Story at Impact

The Impact Autumn/WInter programme continues with a production of Zoo Story by American playwright Edward Albee.

Set in Central Park, New York, , an average American, Peter is confronted by a lonely man called Jerry. Through a series of failed conversations Jerry begins his experiment to see if middle-class Americans are animals after all.


Mon. 21st - Sat. 26th November
Box Office: 061-318121 (Mon-Fri 9.30am - 5.30pm)
Doors Open: 8pm
Adm: €14 Conc. price 50%

Harold Pinter Double Bill

A Kind of Alaska and One For The Road
Impact is proud to present the second instalment of its autumn/winter season - a double bill of plays by the Nobel Award winning playwright Harold Pinter.

A Kind Of Alaska
Deborah wakes after a 29-year slumber to be faced with a world in which truth and reality have become almost irreparably blurred, as she is forced to confront her most basic beliefs in a world that has driven on without her.
One For The Road
A respectable intellectual, Victor, and his family are drawn deep into the world of power-drunk mania by Nicholas, a sadistic, darkly comic interrogator whose relentless pursuit brings us face to face with oppression’s menacing force.

Mon. October 31st - Sat. November 5th
Doors Open: 8pm Venue: Impact Theatre
Adm: €14 50% Conc.
Booking: 061 318121

The Mercy Seat

The Mercy Seat
Launching Impact's Autumn/Winter season is the Irish premiere of Neil LaBute's The Mercy Seat.

An office romance is changed completely when the office disappears in a sea of fire and rubble. Two people must decide if they want to answer their cellphones or disappear forever.
Sharp, compelling, chilling. – Newsday
Casts a less-than-glowing light on man’s dark side in the face of disaster. – Daily News

Venue: Impact Theatre, 18 The Crescent, O’Connell Street, Limerick.
Box Office: 061 316399
Admission: €12 Concessions 50%

Digital Print Exhibition

Digital Print Exhibition

From Wednesday the 14th of September an exhibition of digital print media will be running in Impact Theatre. The last exhibition to be run before the theatre turns into a bustling performance space for its Autumn/Winter theatre season, this is well worth checking out. Open and free to the public pop in on your lunch break or if you just need a break from your day and enjoy the artwork. Contact Celene at 086-8969195 for further details

'Coffee and Cream'
Multi-cultural project comes to fruition.

On the 25th of August Limerick shall see the first results of a unique project.
The Impact Theatre company has sought out the talent and input from some of the many culturally diverse people now living in the city with surprisingly harmonious results.

With alternating singers from as far away as Jamaica and Somali, a trombone player from Scotland , a classical cellist from New York , Burundi percussion, and an Iranian Kurdish folk-violinist; the band have worked weeks on a two hour set that is bursting with energy and entirely unlike anything you are likely to hear elsewhere.

Their official debut is on thursday 25th August when they play at Impact Theatre space on O'Connell street Limerick .Doors open 8pm.

Photographic Exhibition at IMPACT THEATRE

the rest of everywhere else

Photographic Exhibition by Paul Tarpey

IMPACT THEATRE, Limerick, August 11-20/2005, Noon-6pm Daily, Admission Free.

This solo exhibition presents the underbelly of Irish landscape photography
undertaken in the West of Ireland; 2003-2005.

Traditionally, the visual representation of tourist areas is a romantic and nostalgic one. The images on show here are notes on what becomes edited out by the recordings of the tourist industry.

Paul Tarpey has been intensively photographing the Irish environment since the late 80s. He contrasts the early days to today by pointing out "in the late 80s-early 90s [it] was defined by economics, it was the emigration landscape. Documentary photography was apt, however today it is very difficult to sum up Ireland using this method and the emigration landscape
has disappeared".

The photographs investigate how Ireland portrays itself today. Tourist areas are like a vortex where the images are more often imagined and contructed, than real. This touristic notion of Ireland, that is being sold abroad is but a veneer: this work records what is beneath that veneer.

Paul Tarpey is a Limerick based artist, an associate member of Limerick Printmakers and works in photography and video with a particular interest in social landscape forms.

Previous work includes:

Solo shows, Arts Council, Dublin[1992], The Linenhall Gallery, Castlebar [1993].

Sequences of photographs have been published in various private publications [force 10], also for community projects in the West of Ireland. Paul has been undertaking research and workshops in Co. Mayo over the past few years and currently teaches in Athlone Institute of Technology.

Further Info: Phone Paul at 086 3752606
See some of the photos in the exhibition here

Music at Impact Theatre

Saturday July 23rd: The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra

Practically all hailing from Limerick, this five piece musical entourage will be bringing their distinctive sound to the Impact space. Giving a different twist to familiar tunes old and new, they also will be performing original material. A new departure for the Impact performance space and a night not to be missed, contact Ann at 087-9737124 for further details.

STORY TIME AT THE MILK MARKET

This Friday, June 17th, sees a mini troupe of Impact actors taking to the streets to celebrate the Midsummer Festival Market in Limerick's Milk Market. The Golden Ball and String, an old tale brought to life in rhyme by Impact's own Darren Maher, will be performed three times throughout the night from 4-10. Amidst wine tasting and cookery this dark magical tale will be told with masks, puppets and music. Let's hope the weather holds!