A Mayo famine story of love, loyalty and friendship
MAYO music supremo Kathy Fahey, composer of the music and dance extravaganza Fàinne Òir, has revealed what inspired her to write the work which will be premiered at the TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar on September 20 before going on stage in Broadway, New York, the following Thursday.
Speaking to The Connaught Telegraph, the Belcarra-based orchestra and choir director, said: “It came from my fascination of the Famine and the impact it had on so many communities throughout Ireland.
“I did quite a bit of research on it and decided that I would tell the story from a positive perspective through the themes of love, loyalty and friendship.
“It is based around the life of a young Mayo girl, Saoirse, who was forced to emigrate to America and how her life got better and better in the city of New York.”
With five weeks to go before the world premiere in Castlebar of what is billed as ‘a contemporary music and dance experience that tells an Irish story of loss, enduring love and triumph of humanity’, Kathy confirmed the collaboration is coming together very well with the involvement of Castlebar-based Mayo Concert Orchestra and the Vox Fusion Choir.
A dress rehearsal takes place on September 7 with a full-house expected for the show in the TF Royal Theatre on Friday, September 20.
A party of 64 fly out to New York on Wednesday, September 25, for the US premiere in New York’s Peter Norton Symphony Space Theatre on Broadway the following night (September 26), which is also on course to be a sell-out show.
Professional Irish dancer and Riverdance star Ciara Sexton is the lead choreographer on Fáinne Óir and she is really looking forward to the performances.
She said: “The audience will be taken on a very emotional journey. First and foremost, for me, this is Irish dance like you've never seen it before. But also, this isn't your typical dance show. We are presenting everything in such a different way.
“I think that's worth the ticket price alone. It's going to be so different and so special and we're so excited. There are outrageous highs and devastating lows.”
The set and lighting design is inspired by the paintings of Achill-based Dublin artist Padraig McCaul, who is working on a set of original paintings depicting the ‘Fáinne Óir’ story.
Padraig is also a member of Mayo Concert Orchestra.
The show will be narrated by actress Sarah Lafferty was born in Sligo, but she grew up in Mayo. Her breakthrough TV role was as nurse Aoife de Búrca in Martin Dwan's RTÉ 1 docudrama called 'Seven Women'. At Avatar studio, she co-starred in a voice-over project which was directed by Maureen Selwood.
As a member of the Players Society in Trinity College, Sarah performed regularly at the Beckett Theatre, while she co-founded 'Felix Culpa' theatre company with Annie Murphy which produced six sell-out shows of Enda Walsh's 'Sucking Dublin' at the New Theatre.
In New York, Sarah starred in a one-woman production by 'Fallen Angel' which was directed by Aedín Moloney.
Talented dancer, singer and actor, Michael Piotrowski, has been announced as lead male for the Broadway production of Fainne Óir. Michael has danced in 'Lord of the Dance' on Broadway as well as appearing in numerous TV and film productions.
Frankie McDonald, Castlebar, is the sound controller for the shows.
THE BACK STORY
Fáinne Óir tells the story of an Irish family living in the townland of Glanageeha in West Mayo during the Famine Years of 1845-1848.
Parents Sean and Maire O’Malley and their five daughters Saoirse, Maire, Aine, Nora and Brid, work in community with their neighbours, surviving mainly off the life-giving potato crop.
‘Fáinne Oir’ is also a story of young love between Saoirse, the oldest daughter, and farm hand Diarmuid, who works late into the evenings to be with her.
The destructive potato blight hits Ireland and the O’Malley smallholding does not escape. Through music and dance, we are taken on a journey as Diarmuid makes a promise to Saoirse that he will protect and love her forever. We are also taken on a sad and tragic journey!
Nothing can undo the damage to the crops and without their main food, the community goes hungry and many die of starvation. Saoirse’s mother Maire passes at the tender age of 37. The O’Malley family is left heartbroken, and Saoirse’s father Sean makes the ultimate sacrifice; to sell his precious gold wedding ring and memory of his beloved Maire– the ‘Fainne Oir’ - to purchase a one-way ticket to America for Saoirse.
Sean insists the family will manage without her. She must go and forge a successful future in a land of promise. Her heartbroken family and Diarmuid wave Saoirse off – wondering will the path of true love ever survive the thousands of miles that will separate them.
The second act takes us on a journey to the exciting sights of Saoirse’s big new world – New York city. Happily, she has found a new life in service with the Johnson family. They are a warm and welcoming family – especially son Samuel. But while he introduces her to the sights and sounds of New York City, Saoirse’s heart is back home in Glanageeha. She regularly writes loving letters home waiting for a time they can be together again.
A new tragedy emerges with the death of Saoirse’s father, Sean. Diarmuid remembers and honours his promise to the newly heartbroken Saoirse, to love and protect her always – as he dedicates himself to providing for her precious siblings - the now orphaned O’Malley sisters.
With Samuel Johnson financial help, Saoirse’s sisters travel to New York to join her – as does Diarmuid. A rekindled love brings Saoirse and Diarmuid closer..
The story of the O’Malley family from Glanageeha in West Mayo during the heartache years of the Great Irish Famine, is a sad and tragic one where love eventually brings happiness and hope . . .and the gold wedding ring (‘Fainne Oir’) returns.
Tickets are currently on sale for the Castlebar show at the TF Royal Theatre box office.