CASTING CALL - Warrior of the Táin

CASTING CALL – Warrior of the Táin

Quintessence Theatre, the Theatre Company in Residence of An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk, are holding open auditions to cast our upcoming physical-ensemble production: Warrior of the Táin.

“Behind every great man is a greater woman: Mé do rug Cú Chulainn cróga – I gave birth to the great Cuchulainn. I am the Warrior of the Táin”

In this new original play based on the ancient Irish epic Táin Bó Cuailnge, or ‘the Cattle Raid of Cooley’, we blend text, movement, dance, and music, telling one of the oldest Irish stories not through the mouths of the men, but through the eyes and body of the great woman of the story: the warrior Queen Maeve, so often the villain, recast as the flawed heroine done a disservice by history.

We are primarily seeking male actors, but due to the stylised approach to the production will consider female actors as part of gender-blind casting.

Experience of physical theatre is preferable.

Warrior of the Táin is written and directed by Anna Simpson, Artistic Director of Quintessence, Creative Associate of the Pleasance Theatre, London, and Education Practitioner with the Globe Theatre, London.

AUDITIONS: Friday December 14^th 1-6pm, The Lantern Centre, Dublin

REHEARSALS: 9^th January-6^th February, An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk

PRODUCTION DATES: 7^th- 9^th February, An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk, Co. Louth

CONTACT: Email Anna at quintessencetheatreco@gmail.com with your headshot and CV to apply for an audition.

NOTE: This is an unfunded production, and so will be working on a profit-share model. We are able however to cover all reasonable travel expenses, food, as well as provide accommodation for rehearsals and the run if required.

About Quintessence Theatre Company

Founded in 2015 as the inaugural Theatre Company in Residence of the An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk, Quintessence dedicates itself to exploring the human condition through the most theatrical means available to us: the actor themselves, their imagination, and embracing the live relationship between actor and audience.

We believe in play; we believe in collaboration; we believe in amplifying voices not always heard; and we believe in the democraticisation of art: that it should reach people beyond the cultural hubs of large urban populations. We believe that great work can be made from modest means if you have those quintessential elements: a story, a performer, and audience.

We harness the full potential of the actor’s body through heightened physical approaches, mime and a playful ensemble. We seek to surprise, move and provoke our audiences, entertaining them and creating dynamic, innovative, visceral, compassionate story-telling that finds the new in the familiar, and touches on urgent issues at the heart of Irish society here and now.

Quintessence is run by core members Leah Rossiter (Performer/Company Manager), Anthony Kinahan (Performer/Producer), Fiona Keenan O’Brien (Performer/Company Liaison) and led by Bristol Old Vic Theatre School trained director Anna Simpson (Artistic Director).

Previous productions include: Dracula (Smock Alley Main Space, Dublin); national tour of original play Cracks; The Deadly Wizard of Oz (Anaverna House, Dundalk); The Star of Chester’s Lane (Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda Arts Festival Commission Winner 2018); Some of Our Children (An Táin Arts Centre); Romeo and Juliet (An Táin Arts Centre); The Wind in the Willows (Anaverna House); Pink Planet (Smock Alley, Scene +Heard); Grimm Tales (Anaverna House); Hamlet (An Táin); Vessel (An Táin; The New Theatre, Dublin); Alice in Wonderland (Anaverna House) and The Picture of Dorian Gray (An Táin).

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