Grab a bowl and come to the Firkin Crane
A theatrical production exploring the process of grief following the death of a parent through dance will be performed in Cork this weekend.
Created and performed by Deirdre Griffin, ‘SOUP’ is a live art, physical theatre show exploring grief in an Irish context.
The show, which is part of the Pitch’d Circus Arts Festival, will be performed in the Firkin Crane tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday.
Performed with a “mutant physicality”, the show is described as simultaneously brutish, sensual, ridiculous and vulnerable, see-sawing between hilarious and harrowing as it reaches for a shared state of catharsis with the audience.
‘SOUP’ is inspired by Deirdre’s mother Mary Heneghan, who was from Claremorris in Mayo and died 6 years ago died following a difficult struggle with cancer. Since then, Deirdre has been collecting the memories of their life together.
These have become the building material for the show, celebrating her mother while considering Deirdre’s relationship with the grief of her passing, and incorporating memory inducing, sensory material, “as varied as the disembodied voices of RTE radio hosts; the tactility of hair; the smell of a herb that may not exist, and the warmth of home-made soup”.
Deirdre Griffin is an Irish dance artist and choreographer working across contemporary dance, aerial and acrobatics. She was nominated for Best Performer at Dublin Fringe Festival 2019. As a performer, Deirdre has toured extensively with Ponydance Theatre throughout Ireland, UK and Internationally (Best Dance Award, Adelaide Fringe Festival 2012).
She has also performed with Junk Ensemble, Brokentalkers, Theatre Lovett, and the international hit show ‘RIOT’ by THISISPOPBABY, and more recently in their hit show ‘WAKE’ at Dublin Fringe Festival this year.
For her new show, Deirdre Griffin has collaborated with sound artist Craig Cox under the name Headonbody. Both exceptional artists in their own field, they have previously worked together on projects including the critically acclaimed ‘Raven Eyed’ (Loosysmokes 2017). Costume design for the show is by Irish visual artist threadstories who has created bespoke sculptural pieces for the production.
This weekend’s shows are part of a national tour. The ‘SOUP’ tour is funded by The Arts Council of Ireland with support from Dance Ireland and Galway Dance Project. For more info and tickets, visit dancecorkfirkincrane.ie. Tickets are €15 and €12 with concession.