Youth theatre bringing books to life

Clare Youth Theatre will present Ex Libris, an exploration of books through theatre, as part of the Ennis Book Club Festival.

Directed by Eleanor Feely with Sinéad Collins and Aisling Merriman as co-directors, this production focuses on the dramatisation of extracts chosen by the young actors themselves. “The style of theatre is simple and effective, with a focus on the acting rather than special effects,” explained Ms Collins.
The extracts chosen vary widely from the well-known, like Waiting For Godot by Samuel Beckett, to the less known Hetalia and the contemporary The Help.
Hetalia is an example of the Japanese manga comic book genre. “The actors chose it for its humour and as a brilliant introduction to a marginalised genre,” she said.
Waiting for Godot, a perennial favourite, is to be performed with great feeling by Aoife Lanigan and Theo Hynan-Ratcliffe, with an emphasis on the relationship between Estragon and Vladimir. The Help is also a piece chosen by Aoife Lanigan. This is a recently published book showcasing the relationship between a black nurse and the white child she minds. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll is also to be dramatised and its wackiness drew the young actors to this piece.
Your Luck Just Ran Out is a haunting wartime piece showcasing the harrowing consequences of World War II. Likewise Fahrenheit 451, a dystopian classic, highlights the darker side of human nature and the power of censorship. Anne Frank in contrast, is a shining beacon of hope, showcasing the compassionate and the innocent. Skippy Dies is a humorous piece taken from the recently published book by Paul Murray. Life of Pi on the other hand is a study of the distortions in human nature in perilous circumstances. Other pieces to be dramatised include Boy 2 Girl, Time Traveller’s Wife and The Subtle Knife.
The production of Ex Libris will be shown in association with the Ennis Book Club Festival which takes place from March 4 to the 6. The first showing of Ex Libris will be on World Book Day, Thursday, March 3, at 2pm, for schools. The second will be on Friday, March 4 at 8.30pm. Both performances take place in the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis.