The tale of pirate queen Grace O’Malley is the theme for an aerial circus in Europe’s most westerly theatre in Mulranny, Co.Mayo, this weekend. As RTÉ Radio 1 Countrywide reports, the circus rig erected in an outdoor performance space named “the big hug” frames Clew Bay and the seascape of Granuaile.
Bay Panorama — An aerial view of the Mulranny Arts Centre overlooking Clew Bay, where the new outdoor performance space known as The Big Hug hosts Grace – The Story of a Pirate Queen against a dramatic Atlantic backdrop. Photo: Alison Laredo
The character of Queen Elizabeth 1st is played by a clown, while the entire Spanish Armada is represented by a single pole dancer wearing a hat shaped like a galleon.
The outdoor performance arena has been created by Mulranny Arts as part of its commitment to bring exceptional live performance to the west coast. The specially designed arena, using local and reused materials, is set high on a hill above Clew Bay, with views out across the Atlantic Ocean.
Mulranny Arts director Cheryl Cobern Browne says that “creativity is about using resources at hand and making it all work”. ‘We’re thrilled to have Grace. The Story of a Pirate Queen as our first public performance in the very land where she lived and ruled.’
Sky Dance — Aerial performers bring the story of Grace O'Malley to life above the dramatic landscape of Clew Bay during Grace – The Story of a Pirate Queen, staged by Circus 250 in Mulranny, County Mayo. Photo: Alison Laredo
Dea Birkett, ringmaster and founder of Circus 250, says the spectacular aerial circus involves live original music composed by Belfast harpist Ursula Burns, and storytelling, celebrating “the gender-bending, ground-breaking, convention-defying life of the pirate queen”.
Grace – The Story of a Pirate Queen opened last night (Friday) and, weather permitting, runs today (Saturday) at 3pm and 7pm, and tomorrow, Sunday, June 28th, at 3pm. Further details on www.circus250.org
Listen to RTÉ Radio 1 Countrywide’s report here.
