Archive: IMBOLC 2021

CONSTANCE, an original Hawk’s Well Theatre production, premiered in Lissadell Church, Sligo, December 2019. Like countless other productions, the national tour of CONSTANCE was cancelled due to the global pandemic. In celebration of St. Brigid’s Day 2021, we’re now delighted to present Creating CONSTANCE, an intimate unplugged session performed by the Constance Ensemble on the Hawk’s Well Theatre stage. Creating CONSTANCE offers a rare behind the scenes look at this exciting new production, celebrating the life and work of Constance de Markievicz, one of Ireland’s most enigmatic icons.

Created by writer/director Kellie Hughes and composer/musician Michael Rooney in collaboration with the Constance Ensemble and developed in association with Hawk’s Well Theatre and IMBOLC festival. 

A well-known yet elusive figure, the complexities, contradictions and above all, extraordinary humanity of Constance de Markievicz remains largely unknown. Reflecting on her life and legacy, Creating CONSTANCE features four movements from Hawk’s Well Theatre’s recent production of CONSTANCE, performed by an octet of traditional Irish and classical musicians; Niamh Crowley, Stephen Doherty, David Doocey, John Joe Kelly, Clare Horler, Marie O’Byrne, Shaza O’Hara & Michael Rooney and featuring actor Nichola MacEvilly, who gives voice to Constance.

Creating CONSTANCE is introduced by playwright and director Kellie Hughes. A highly trained theatre-artist with twenty years of professional experience as a director, writer, performer and collaborator. Her work has toured extensively both nationally and internationally. On Markievicz, Kellie says “I found a beautiful letter to her brother Josslyn, where she tells him ‘My enemies will make a monster out of me, my friends a heroine and both will be equally wide of the truth’ and I thought that is such a prophetic statement. She really understood how she was going to be viewed and she went for it anyway”

Imbolc marks the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the spring equinox. The festival marking the beginning of Spring is also known as St Brigid’s Day, traditionally held on 1 February. A most fitting time to share excerpts from this powerful and unique new production exploring Constance de Markievicz the artist, activist and revolutionary through her own words.

You can book your free ticket for this special streamed event via our Book Now button or by emailing boxoffice@hawkswell.com. 

Please note there is one ticket per email address. 

Written and directed by: Kellie Hughes

Music by: Michael Rooney

Sound: Joe Hunt

Lighting: Michael Cummins

Actor: Nichola MacEvilly

Musicians: Niamh Crowley, Stephen Doherty, David Doocey, John Joe Kelly, Clare Horler, Marie O’Byrne

Shaza O’Hara and Michael Rooney

We would like to acknowledge the support for Constance from Arts Council Ireland, Creative Ireland, Sligo County Council, MSLETB, Ecclesiastical Insurance, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Derry City and Strabane District Council.

Is léiriú nua í Constance ón Amharclann Hawk’s Well, Bhí an premiere sa tséipéal Lissadell, Contae Shligigh

I mí na Nollag 2019. Cosúil le an-chuid léiriúchán bhí an camchuirt naisiúnta de Constance curtha ar cheall mar gheall ar an phaindéim dhomanda. Chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar Lá Fhéile Bríde. Tá muid iontach sásta “ag cruthú Constance” a chur i láthair daoibh. Is  dlúthsheisiún  acústac é léirithe ag an “Constance Ensemble” ar an stáise den Amharclann Hawk’s Well.

Is deis uathúil é ag cruthú Constance an obair a dhéantar ar chúl staitse a fheiceáil. Is léiriú úr spleodrach é agus déanann sé ceiliúradh ar shaol agus saothar Constance de Markievicz, ceann de na mná ba dhiamhaire a bhí againn riamh.

Cruthaithe agusstiúraithe ag Kellie Hughes

Cumtha ag Michael Rooney in éineacht leis an Constance Ensemble agus forbartha in éineacht leis an Hawks Well Theatre agus an Fhéile IMBOLC.