In 2022-23 I had the privilege of working on a weekly basis with KYDS (Kilnaleck Youth Drama Society) and their facilitator / resident writer Alice Lynch on a project as part of the BORDERING REALITIES YOUTH ARTS PROGRAMME. Bordering Realities was a multidisciplinary programme in Cavan and Monaghan which allowed young people a safe and respectful creative space to explore the contested history of the Irish border region. It included the formation, development and stunning debut concert of the Music Generation Youth Orchestra under the musical direction of Michael Rooney and Music Generation; it also featured a new exploratory youth dance project within the wider Monaghan Youth Theatre group, facilitated by Fiona Keenan-O’Brien.
The KYDS drama project culminated in October 2023 with a full-length, original play devised by the members under guidance from Alice and me. Details (and poster by Grace Haynes) below:
BORDERING REALITIES
presents
Kilnaleck Youth Drama Society’s
THE SECRETS OF MASENCA
an original drama – and part of a double feature along with
a newly devised dance piece on conflict and resolution created by Monaghan Youth Dance
Masenca is a small town in County Cavan: a town like any other…
… except it has buried secrets…. literally!
When a small child makes a gruesome discovery while out playing, old ghosts and suppressed memories are disturbed. A group of teenagers who just want to get on with their own lives, find themselves embroiled in family and community conflicts that go back generations. What exactly happened 100 years ago that nobody wants to talk about? Why are there distressed angels hovering over the Masenca marshlands? Why does the ghost of a wild-eyed soldier of Oliver Cromwell’s army drop by for the odd chat with a fearless old woman called Aggie who just wants to be left to drink her “nettle tay” in peace?
A political thriller; a ghost story; a gripping blend of comedy and tragedy!
Written and directed by Alice Lynch and Declan Gorman
based on improvisations by members of Kilnaleck Youth Drama Society
The play is presented in tandem with a newly-devised dance piece by Monaghan Youth Dance (choreographer Fiona Keenan-O’Brien), and incorporates music from composer Michael Rooney’s soon-to-be premiered Bordering Realities suite for the Music Generation Youth Orchestra.
These interlinked youth arts works have been informed by a centenary essay by Dr Brendan Scott, Historian-in-Residence at Cavan County Council. The performing groups and facilitating artists met to share ideas, learn and workshop together, at a residential event in Clones Library in December 2022.
The Bordering Realities Programme was commissioned by Monaghan County Council and Cavan County Council, funded by The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under The Community Strand of the 2023 Decade of Centenaries Programme and Creative Ireland Programme 2023.
(Duration 2hrs plus short interval)
DATES
Date: Sun Oct 22 Location: Garage Theatre, Monaghan Time: 3pm
(this event is now concluded)
Date: Thurs Oct 26 Location: Townhall, Cavan Time: 8pm
(this event is now concluded)
Declan Gorman 