The Creative Show presents #GoggleBox on Monday 27 & Tuesday 28 March 2017 at the Lime Tree Theatre at 8pm. This is a comic family show written and directed by Myles Breen with movement pieces devised and choreographed by Angie Smalis performed by members of Limerick Youth Theatre, service users from the Daughters of Charity Service (Limerick) featuring transition year students from the Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ & Ardscoil Rís choirs, dancers from Patterns Dance Collective & Limerick Youth Dance and musicians from Music Generation Limerick City. This year Lumen Street Theatre Company has come on board and are involved in #GoggleBox. The collaboration is in its seventh year, LYT members, service users, choir, dancers and musicians rehearse together over the course of three months culminating in over hundred seventy young adults and service users participating in this project with two evening performances at the Lime Tree Theatre.
Settle down with the Creative Family for a night in front of the box, there will be arguments about what to watch but some of the family’s favourites turn up. There’s some classic comedy from Friends or a catch up on some of the soaps. There’s something for the kiddies too and an epic love story. And who will be Ryan Tubridy’s special guest be on the Late Late Show? Put the kettle on, get out the choccie biscuits and make yourself comfortable for a night of pure entertainment.
The Creative Show is the brain child of Angie Smalis, Artistic Director of Limerick Youth Theatre and Donal Sherlock, Manager of Daughters of Charity Service, Limerick. Donal Sherlock says; ‘You cannot imagine how great it is for the Daughters of Charity to be involved for the seventh year in The Creative Show collaboration. Our focus on inclusiveness, creativity and excellence has over the years helped to broaden our community engagement, contribute in a meaningful way and copper fastened our inclusion in the local community. It has allowed us to develop a supportive environment that encourages elements of play, humour, and laughter for all who participate. Working together has helped everyone involved to think differently, appreciate differences, show compassion and tolerance for others and has helped to nurture real friendships, encourage confidence in one’s ability and enhance and strengthen DOC vision of a shared goal.’
He also added; ‘There is a lot of established research about the positive influences of drama, theatre and the performing arts, especially on young people. Our audience this year will see first-hand the physical, emotional and social benefits gained from this collaboration through the artistry of each performer.’
Angie Smalis commented; ‘#GoggleBox is the result of seven year collaboration between Limerick Youth Theatre and the Daughters of Charity Service, Limerick. It is a three month socially innovative artistic project built on the founding elements of expression, exploration, communication and education. The participants work with an experienced hand of professional arts practitioners who are drawn from the fields of music, contemporary dance, theatre, street performance and design. I would personally like to thank the parents/guardians of all the participants who have supported their sons/daughters in the learning process, to the artists who have shared their passion in the art form they represent and those who have helped to fund the project, for their belief that meaningful artistic collaborations contribute in everyone’s overall social development. I urge you to come and enjoy The Creative Show.’
Who are the performing groups?
The Daughters of Charity (DOC) Service, Limerick was the first to establish day services in Limerick City for adults with intellectual disabilities. The goal of each centre and in keeping with HSE New Directions is through a person centred approach aid in supporting the holistic development of each individual. The over-all aim of this collaboration is to develop sustainable networks and build links in the service user’s local community. The first strand of this collaboration was achieved by introducing service users to LYT members and creating an environment that nurtured inclusion through a rich tradition of theatre and its contemporary practices. The second strand was establishing a culture of working in tandem with like-minded people from all backgrounds, crossing social and cultural divides, sharing ideas, and build friendships.
Limerick Youth Theatre (LYT) is a company of young performers, dancers, writers, designers, directors, producers and film-makers, located in Limerick. LYT was set up in 1997 with a vision of providing a unique opportunity for young people from all backgrounds to cross social/cultural divides through youth drama experiences. It runs a two-year training course in theatre and performance arts.
Lumen Street Theatre Company was established in 2016 to bring street spectacle to Limerick city. Its aim is to engage with the community and public through workshops; performances and the creation of street theatre by working closing with existing ensembles, arts organisations and community groups.
Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education Programme that transforms the lives of children and young people through access to high quality performance music education. The programme is based on a foundation of inclusion and self-expression and helps young people across the city find a voice, whilst providing the skills to develop it and a platform to use it.
Limerick Youth Dance (LYD) is run by Dance Limerick and led by contemporary dance artist and choreographer Angie Smalis. LYD is a great opportunity for young people passionate about dance to develop as a dancer, to create new dance pieces and to perform on stage and screen.
Ardscoil Rís A holistic education is the core principle of life in Ardscoil Rís where the highest of academic expectations are balanced with a broad co- and extra-curricular programme for our students. As befits a Christian Brothers’ school, under the trusteeship of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST), a strong Christian ethos is central to life here in Ardscoil Rís. We strive to have the values of the Edmund Rice tradition fully realised in our students, as they journey towards independence and finding their place in society as fully-rounded young men.
Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ, formerly known as Laurel Hill Convent, is an Irish Roman Catholic secondary school for girls, situated in Limerick. The aim of our school is to co-operate with parents in fostering the full and balanced development of the girls entrusted to our care so that each one may realise and bring to fulfilment her own special talents and unique personality.