Children of Lir

A project from Monica Loughman Ballet

May, 2013

Monica Loughman Ballet was founded by Irish Prima Ballerina, Monica Loughman in 2011 after seven years of developing the art form of classical ballet in Ireland beginning with a small ballet school in her old primary school in Whitehall, Dublin 9.

As a child Monica captured the hearts of Irish everywhere when she moved to Perm in Russia to train at the age of 14. At 16 her progress was so remarkable that she began to receive job offers from all over Russia and she was given a contract with the Perm State Ballet – the first ever western dancer to be employed by one of the elite Russian companies. In her book, the “Irish Ballerina” (a name that she is affectionately know by in classical arts circles internationally), she describes life in Russia when the Ruble was devalued meaning that she could afford to buy one tomato each week in addition to porridge oats and how she would eat it over the course of a weekend. After ten years with the company she returned to Dublin in 2003 as a prima ballerina and principal of the Tchaikovsky Perm State Ballet and performed to 6000 people a night at the O2 (then Point Depot) stadium.

Her “triumphant” return from Russia soon turned to reality as she began to tackle the challenges that so burdened her heart - of bring ballet home to her country and training professional dancers at home. Her book recounts her disappointment when the promoter responsible for the O2 event – her homecoming – paid her from the change out of his back pocket. Monica wrote to, her now long-time friend, the Head of Group Marketing for Allianz, Damien O’Neill about her ambitions and the insurance giant supported her and continue to do so to this day just last month announcing a new three year deal as part of celebrations of a decade of their support for Monica and ballet in Ireland.

Monica Loughman Ballet is now a company with razor sharp direction, a strong management team and powerful allies. The company has now received “seed” support from the Irish Arts Council, Fingal County Enterprise Board, the Office of the Minister for Arts and a number of key donors. But more importantly, the Irish nation has responded to the company in dramatic fashion: audiences have grown by 2000% in the past 18 months. In the Nutcracker season pre-Christmas at The Convention Centre Dublin Monica’s performance were sold out while the aforementioned promoter’s performances at a theatre across the road were not. In the same way as we can barely believe that tectonic plates are continually shifting under us, indigenous ballet in Ireland has been transformed by the determination of a ballerina turned Artistic Director who at the time of writing is only 34 years of age.

Last year, Monica also established Ireland’s first full-time training academy for dance in which was formally opened by the Irish Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan TD in February 2013. This international academy trains dancers from the age of 12 in a full-time programme so that they do not have to leave Ireland to train as Monica and others have had to do. The company employs a mission statement to be, “the vanguard of professional ballet development and indigenous practice in Ireland”. Monica’s vision is clear – to give Ireland an indigenous main-scale

classical ballet company. As for the goal, that is even clearer – it is simply to “Inspire”. 40% of the Nutcracker audience last year was under the age of 14. Monica Loughman is inspiring a new generation of arts audiences in Ireland as well as the young dancers who will become the future of ballet in Ireland and international stars.

Background

Monica Loughman Ballet is seeking investment totaling $500,000 to bring this seminal work to fruition and to a worldwide audience. The work held in trust for generations holds potential for returns to investors in addition to the extraordinary legacy potential of the project and broader objectives that surround it. Monica Loughman Ballet is also establishing a US friends of her company structure offering unique benefits to members and details of which will be published shortly.

Irish Prima Ballerina Monica Loughman plans to stage a preview extract from the new work at a unique by invitation event at a suitable New York City venue. This will be a very special evening – an opportunity for Monica to meet friends and potential investors and vice versa - and a landmark occasion for those who care passionately about Ireland’s art and culture. It is being planned for September 2013 with the support of a local committee who have volunteered to coordinate the guest list for Monica.

Project Investment Project PlanThe span of the project will be eight months and we propose that work commences this summer (2013). The artists propose to accept a residency invitation from the Tyrone Guthrie in September producing the first substantial choreography. This will further inform all artists and they continue development of the artistic elements of the ballet. Collaborations and commissions of sets, costumes and backdrops will take place in October and production schedules substantially put in place. Auditions will be held in London/Russia in November. The artwork and symphony will be complete at the close of 2013. From January 2014 production will proceed on a full time basis and Monica will choreograph and set the main parts of the new ballet. The ballet could premier in Dublin, London or New York. At home the company’s home-venue is the magnificent auditorium of the Convention Centre Dublin.

Ballet in IrelandBallet in Ireland floundered when the National Ballet company was de-funded in 1986. However, in the past ten years, ballerina Monica Loughman has determinedly restored the profile of ballet on the island and audiences and theatres are responding to the indigenous company in an unprecedented and historic fashion. In a country renowned for its love of and cultivation of the arts this is a welcome development worthy of support at all levels. The Children of Lir project will help to establish the magnificent art form of main-scale classical ballet in Ireland and it will propel Irish ballet back onto the world stage.

About Children of Lir Children of Lir is a story that the artists will interpret as the “beginnings” of Swan Lake – a prequel if you like, and the origin of the Swan Curse which was passed onto Swan Lake’s Siegfried’s family when the children were finally released from its cruel grip. This remarkable story spans 1,000 years starting during the days of the ancient semi-spirit Tuatha dé Dannan when king Lir’s wife died and he married the jealous Aoife. She curses his children, transforming them into swans, then spending three periods of 300 years in different places each offering dramatic visual depiction.

In one scene the swans are battered by storms and frozen winds, Finnoula is separated from her brothers but they find each other again. During their next 300 years the opus will depict visitors (different dancers from across the world e.g. Georgian, Spanish and Chinese) visiting the Swans and creating dramatic regional performances. The finale will be a grand ball when Lairgnéan of Connaught, Prince of the North, and Deoch daughter of the king of Munster, Princess of the South, marry and the curse is broken. The twist is that these are Swan Lake’s Siegfried’s parents and this is the moment when the curse is transferred to their future child, Aoife’s beguiled spirit appearing again in the dramatic finale.

This video shows some theme, imagery and music and how the creators, at this early stage, envisage the production: http://youtu.be/aP1Qj2cxb8A

+ Cast The principal dancers will be selected at audition. Monica Loughman Ballet has a roster of 70 dancers.

+ Costumes Of special note is Monica Ennis who is an award-winning designer who has made costumes for, among others, River Dance, Wexford Opera, Opera Ireland and the Abbey Theatre.

+ Crew Monica Loughman Ballet has an established team including production manager, stage manager and assistants, rehearsal and production assistants, set designer, set construction, scenic artist, music engineer, lighting technician, company physio, company doctor, costume designers and technicians as well as event team and other support personnel.

Jim Fitzpatrick

Jim Fitzpatrick is an Irish artist famous for Irish Celtic art. Perhaps his most famous piece is his iconic two-tone portrait of Che Guevara created in 1968 and based on a photo by Alberto Korda. In 1978, he wrote and lavishly illustrated a book called The Book of Conquests, the retelling of a cycle of Irish

myths, the Lebor Gabála Érenn. The book retells the legends of the coming of the Tuatha dé Dannan to Ireland and their fight with the Fir Bolg and was followed by three additional exceptionally detailed, illustrated books, The Silver Arm and The Son of the Sun and Erinsaga. He has also produced much artwork for Thin Lizzy (most famously their Jailbreak album in 1976), for Sinéad O’Connor’s 2000 album Faith and Courage and for The Darkness’ 2003 single «Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End)».

Patrick Cassidy

A renowned Irish born composer of great distinction and reputation, Patrick Cassidy came into prominence with the release of the Children of Lir, (the setting of the great Legend), the first major symphonic work written in the Irish language. Recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra and Choir, it remained at Number One in the Irish Classical Charts for over a year. “The Children of Lir,” resulted in Patrick receiving the “Person of the Year,” award by the city of Limerick for his contribution to culture. Subsequently, he was bestowed the Medal of Honor and Distinguished Alumni Award from his University.

Patrick’s aria, “Vide cor Meum” was originally intended as a “mini” Opera for the Ridley Scott film, “Hannibal”. This aria has been presented at both the Oscar and Emmy Awards and “Vide cor Meum” has appeared in multiple top-ten lists and essential collections throughout the world including the Warner Classics CD, the “40 Most Beautiful Arias.” Significantly, Patrick Cassidy is noted in this distinctive collection as the only living composer. Currently, Patrick Cassidy scores and collaborates on film and documentary projects. Notable credits include; Hannibal, Veronica Guerin, Confessions of a Burning Man, Salem’s Lot, King Arthur, Layer Cake, Che Guevara, Ashes and Snow, Kingdom of Heaven, The Front Line, L’Aviatore , The Irishman.

bout the Artists Three great artists want to create their magnum opus.Monica Loughman is collaborating with Irish composer, Patrick Cassidy and artist Jim Fitzpatrick to create this unique Irish work.

A

Project personnel

Role DancerBodhbh Dearg, king of the Tuatha Dé Danann Character soloistAiobh (pronounced “Eve”), Lirs first wife Character soloistAoife, Aiobh’s sister PrincipalLir, King of the Sea PrincipalFionnuala, Fiachra, Aodh and Conn PrincipalsPeople of Tuatha de Danann lamenting the curse Soloists (10) and Corps de Ballet (50)Swans of the Lake that befriend the Children of Lir Soloists (10) and Corps de Ballet (50)Visitors to the swans at Inishglory (an Island in the bay of Erris off the coast of Co. Mayo)Guest artists – Georgian dancers (4), Spanish (2), Chinese (2) and Traditional Irish (25) Lairgnéan of Connaught, Prince of the North PrincipalDeoch daughter of the king of Munster, Princess of the South PrincipalGuests at the wedding Soloists (10) and Corps do Ballet (50)Visiting performances at the wedding Guest artists, SoloistsAoife’s beguiled spirit Principal