Hello again!! I’m very pleased to let you all know that Wexford town based dance company ‘Myriad’, has been appointed the resident dance company for Wexford Opera House. The announcement was made on August 10th. From Artistic Director, Deirdre Grant on the appointment: “This new opportunity to collaborate and co-produce work with Wexford Opera House is an intriguing and exciting development for the company”.

Myriad Dance Company has been building an exciting, innovative approach to dance for the last ten years. Working on a very small scale locally in the beginning, Outreach programmes, small productions, classes and workshops and gradually building to international reputation.  This is a wonderful opportunity for the company to expand even further into the world of opera. Indeed it is yet another element to an operatic production that may not necessarily jump to mind when you think ‘opera’. But it adds a wholly different dynamic, colour, to a piece. Remembering last year’s production of ‘Snegurochka’, it sprung to mind when I heard of the announcement that the integration of dance added so much diversity and uniqueness. I still remember the piece with Dick Bird’s eclectic costumes being a very thrilling spectacle, sometimes with exacting poise and precision then switching to frenetic, whirling dervish-like energy. 
Myriad in collaboration with the choreographer, Mandy Demetriou, sourced the troupe for this show. And now, this year, has begun the process for ‘The Ghosts of Versailles’ in collaboration with an American choreographer.

So, with just under six weeks to go before rehearsals start, auditions were held at Wexford Opera House for ‘Ghosts’, on August 8th.  Award winning choreographer Seán Curran flew from the US, through Myriad, for the auditions and will choreograph this year’s production. Seán is of Irish parentage having a Mother from Roscommon and a Father from Cork; however he grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. Like so many Irish-Americans, Irish step dancing was high on his list of pastimes as a child. His company ’Seán Curran Company’ is based in New York. Founded in the late ‘90’s and from humble beginnings, has toured throughout the US and festivals in Europe…sound familiar??
He requires 8 dancers in total, 4 males and 4 females, I believe. With the expertise of Deirdre and her knowledge of the pool of dancers based in Ireland, I have no doubt that we are in for a treat this year too. I actually caught up with some of the dancers from last year who were attending the auditions recently and were very excited about having the opportunity to hopefully get back in the thick of the Festival again. Best of luck to all who auditioned and for those who are successful: Welcome to Wexford Festival Opera!

As we head towards rehearsals and with time ticking by faster than you can say, “Tickets! Money! Passport!” why not drop in again soon when I will be considering the life and times of a touring theatre professional and how unsettling it can be.

Ciao for now!

Justin