Magic in store with The Way Back Home

Children aged four and older are in for a treat this weekend as Branar Téatre do Pháistí returns to Galway with its hit show, The Way Back Home, which had a sell-out run here in October during the Baboró Arts Festival for Children. The Way Back Home will be staged in the Black Box this Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17, as part of an Irish tour.

This beautiful and deceptively simple mime show, which premiered at the 2014 Dublin Theatre Festival, was co-produced with Denmark’s Teatre Refleksion and supported by Baboró.

It is based on the book The Way Back Home, by award-winning children’s writer and illustrator Oliver Jeffers (Lost and Found, The Incredible Book Eating Boy).

The story is about a boy who discovers a single-propeller airplane in his wardrobe. He does what any young adventurer would do and flies into outer space. Along the way he has many adventures, and runs into a spot of bother when his engine fails. He is forced to land on the moon, where he meets a new friend who is encountering her own difficulties. They join forces to help each other.

The Way Back Home is returning to Galway as part of a 14-venue national tour, following its Danish premiere at that country’s famous April festival.

The Way Back Home will travel to Japan in July. Meanwhile in September, it will be part of the world’s renowned Charleville-Meziere’s International Puppet Festival in France.

Branar Téatar do Pháistí was founded in Galway by former teacher, Marc Mac Lochlainn, who is its artistic director. From its base in Ballybane, Branar develops and produces its own high-quality shows, which it tours nationally and internationally. Previous shows include Mise Sceal Cailín, Bláth and Croí a Mhúscailt. Saturday 16.

This show, The Way Back Home, will be staged at the Black Box this Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17, at 1pm and 3pm. Admission is €10/€12 (adults) Tickets from tht.ie, 091 569 777 or at the box office.