No stone left unturned to preserve an old skill

Date Published: 13-Sep-2012

ON the floor leading into the backstage area of DruidÕs refurbished theatre in Druid Lane is a stone inscribed to memory of the late Bernie Walsh who worked with the company in its early years.

Bernie, who died in a motorbike accident in 1998 had been responsible for knocking through into that
section of the building and he hasnÕt been forgotten for it. Others who worked backstage with Druid are also remembered in this inscription, which sees the company recall its past while moving into a new era.

Past and future also meet in the play that Druid are performing for the theatreÕs official opening next week as part of the Galway Arts Festival. ItÕs Tom MurphyÕs classic, The Gigli Concert and this production revives the once-fruitful relationship between the Tuam writer and DruidÕs artistic director, Garry Hynes.

During the 1980s Tom Murphy was Writer in Residence with Druid, with Garry Hynes directing Famine, Conversations on a Homecoming, Bailegangaire and A Whistle in the Dark. These were memorable productions, with Siobh‡n McKennaÕs performance in Bailegangaire entering the annals of Irish theatre history. However, Druid has not produced a Murphy play since John Cowley directed The Blue Macushla in 1995.

ÒLike all creative relationships, it went through a period where it didnÕt make sense to work together,Ó says Garry of their split. ÒBut we talked and eventually I said to Tom, IÕd love to open Chapel Lane with Gigli and we shook hands on it.Ó

Ideally, she would have…