Join local theatre group ‘BlackBird Theatre’ as they set to stage ‘Rope’ at The Civic, on Friday 13th September. We had a chat with the cast and crew and Emma O’Brien the stage manager gave us some background to her role and the play itself…..
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, and where you grew up?
My name is Emma O’Brien. I am from Tallaght and grew up in Raheen, Springfield. I went to St Marks National School and St Marks Community School. I work as Programming Sales Executive in The Helix.
What is your background in performing?
I always had an interest in the arts and theatre and knew it was always something I wanted to be a part of. However, I am not a ‘performer’ and much prefer being behind the scenes. St Marks Community School was a great place to start testing the water and gave me an opportunity to see what I liked. Every year there was an annual school musical, we attended drama competitions and took part in afterschool improv classes. These opportunities opened my eyes to the many areas involved within theatre, performing and the arts in general. There are three other St Marks Community School Alumni taking part in this production (Ken Doran, Liam Smyth & Laura Quirke) alongside Ms Helen Hannon who is our director.
Tell us about Rope and what audiences can expect?
‘Rope’ was written by Patrick Hamilton in 1929. The story, thought to be based loosely on the Leopold and Loeb murder case in 1924, concerns two young university students, Brandon and Granillo who murder fellow student Ronald Kentley as an expression of their supposed intellectual superiority. ‘Rope’ was adapted for screen in 1948 by psychological crime thriller film director Alfred Hitchcock The film was adapted by Hume Cronyn with a screenplay by Arthur Laurents. The film was produced by Hitchcock and Sidney Bernstein. Starring James Stewart, John Dall and Farley Granger, this was the first of Hitchcock’s Technicolor films, and is notable for taking place in real time and being edited so as to appear as a single continuous shot through the use of long takes. Audiences can expect exceptional performances from the cast of Ken Doran, Eoin Duffy, David Greene, Trish Levins, Padraic Mc Ginley, Liam Smyth, Ger O’ Keefe & Laura Quirke. These are honestly some of the best actors we have ever worked with. Myself and Helen are so excited for the audience to experience the talent what we have experienced over the past number of weeks. This production is chock full of mystery, fraud, thrill and suspense. This play will make the audience question their morals, values and status within any given society or community.
What role do you have in the production?
My role is that of Production Manager. Alongside Helen Hannon who is our Director and Stage Manager and Sean Gunnigan who is Stage Design Manager.
What’s next for you?
We’re not quite sure yet…! But I’m sure we’ll rustle up something over the next few months. Our last three plays that we have produced in The Civic took place in September / October….so we have a few months to brainstorm before 2020…
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ROPE
Main Auditorium
Fri. 13 Sept, 8pm
CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW
