shadows talk, objects come alive to overcome loss and celebrate love and the cycle of life
THE HOLDING BONES
In an artist’s studio, shadows talk, objects come alive and she draws her very bones to overcome loss and celebrate love and the cycle of life
“Poetry and Heart and Soul Food”
The Holding Bones lovingly recalls a host of characters – songsters, storytellers and mischief makers. In paying playful homage to her ancestors Niamh Lawlor contemplates the purpose of life. Her life.
Set in her studio she draws upon her skills as a puppet maker and visual artist to enrich the tale she has to tell, as funny as it is deeply moving.
“just beautiful…cathartic, profound but also soothing”
In this new original piece from PĂşca for adults The Holding Bones, Lawlor, veteran performer for nearly 30 years, counts her ancestors on her very bones and brings them back to life on stage. Vital theatrical storytelling and live drawing invites you to meditate on family, memory and rituals of grieving and how to embrace the bittersweet turns of the cycle of life.
This very personal yet universal show has been crafted over several years, assisted by support from The Arts Council, dlr County Council, South Dublin Live a South Dublin County Council Arts Office initiative, Pavilion Studio and the Mermaid Arts Centre, DraĂocht and Civic Theatres. Audience responses include:
“Outstanding show, brought back so many memories, very emotional, laughed and cried, great”.
“What a beautiful piece…it came from the heart and touched my heart… it hit all the senses”
“Compelling…dancing with life and death and the shadows… Massive round of applause”
Abbey Theatre New Work Associate RĂan Smith gave this feedback:
“We were captivated by the highly atmospheric mood created by The Holding Bones. The play’s interaction with belief and mythos, reporting dreams and urban tales, builds an ethereal and expressionistic sensibility, with the workshop-like setting allowing the themes of togetherness and being remade to feel present and powerful.
The specific characters of the piece – Uncle Cyril, Aunty Barnie, the father – are conjured via thoroughly enjoyable details, the writing evoking both their simple and extraordinary natures, as well as their importance.”
Writer / Performer Niamh Lawlor
Director Emma Finegan
Production Manager, Stage Management and Operation Aimee Crilly
Lighting Design Colin Doran
Producer PĂşca Puppets
Created in collaboration with Dramaturg / Director Veronica Coburn; Artist Lian Bell; Sound / Music Composition Sinead Diskin
Since 1997, award winning PĂşca Puppets have been producing shows for adults and children from Ballymun to Bangkok, in theatres, canals and other ordinary and extraordinary places.
A selection of images can be downloaded from :
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ccX1Wrgnm2o3QRqeA
If you would like images emailed please contact Niamh at  marymarycallingearth@gmail.com Tel: 087 7800931 this contact also for further info interviews etc.