WHAT THE OSTRICH SEES… BY BRIGHTER FUTURES
Beckett’s work brought Irish writing to the cutting edge of world literature, and the inspiration for this pageant comes from a quote from his novel Murphy: “Any fool can turn a blind eye but who knows what the ostrich sees in the sand.” Through this interpretation, the audience will experience elements of Beckett’s philosophy, his fascination for music hall, his love of slapstick comedy and his dark sense of humour, making his work more accessible to the teenage participants in the Parade, the spectators and to a wider audience in general. “What the ostrich sees…” will be a mixture of Beckett’s references to himself, literature, Dante’s character Beatrice, Guardians of Hell, a giant ostrich, music hall’s characters like Josephine Baker and Winnie from his play Happy Days.
Brighter Futures brings young people from a variety of cultural backgrounds together to create and perform in a pageant. Brighter Futures is a multidisciplinary arts participation project, celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion in the city of Dublin, produced by St. Patrick’s Festival.
LET’S MAKE HISTORY COLOURFUL BY ARTASTIC
Artastic, known for colouring urban landscapes with their colourful creations, took a look back at our history and often felt it looked a little grey. The Artastic artists imagined what would happen if they could go back through history books and add colour and carnival to some of Ireland’s history. They set off with their fabric, paint and performers, to add some colour and fun to Celtic Ireland and the myths that seem to be embossed into the history of the Bronze and Iron Age in Ireland. Artastic is a street spectacle company based in co. Kildare, under the artistic direction of Vijaya Bateson and Caitriona McGowan. Artastic has enhanced the cultural life of communities throughout Ireland. Their track record in conceiving new works and engaging a range of community groups is a testament to their passion for contemporary street theatre and all its artistic, educational and cultural potentialities.
THE WHEELS OF TIME BY CITY FUSION
The heart of the pageant is the ‘Master of Time’, directing the world from the top of his enormous spinning wheel of fortune. He is himself is part superhuman, animal, ordinary man and king, ruling over the transformation of humanity through time and space. The pageant will unfold from past to future, encountering characters, either historical or fictional, famous or forgotten - all celebrating in a frantic trance, the day of carnival where no rules of power apply anymore.
City Fusion is a community arts participation project for adults, celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion in the city of Dublin. Participant groups work together to create a pageant for the parade each year, which is produced by St. Patrick’s Festival.
THE CELTIC TIGER BY DOWTCHA
Fadó, fadó in Éireann lived a powerful creature called the Celtic Tiger. The tiger cast an enchantment over the people, tempting them with promises of wealth and luxury. Everyone begged, borrowed and stole to be near the strong and beautiful tiger. Luckily, the Tiger’s powers could not enchant the innocent. Artists, musicians and children saw through the disguise and gathered an army of fun to banish the Tiger. They hunted down the tiger and chased it into the sea, making sure it was gone for good, and then the people awoke from their enchantment.
Formed in 2002 by Cliff Dolliver and Mick Lynch, Dowtcha are Cork’s puppet specialists. They produce original, high-quality puppet shows, visual theatre, workshops and courses. Dowtcha puppets also have a reputation for visual spectacle and street theatre. They have taken part in St. Patrick’s Day Parade many times since their first entry in Dublin, 2003.
HISTORY OF LOVE BY MACNAS
‘Through breath, through steel, through bravewilled tears, I am ferociously inclined to love you.’ Macnas’s pageant is based on the History of Love - opening with the mistress of song, herald love through the ages, followed by her troupe of engineers, conjuring up the elixir for love. Behind them is the sun, an age-old representation of amour, and in its shadow The God of Love, followed by Vulcan Drummers and an alchemical queen, who celebrate love through the ages.
Macnas is an award-winning theatre, spectacle and processional company based in Galway. The company has excited audiences as part of U2’s Zooropa Tour, Millennium parade in New York City, WOMADelaide, South Australia and in festivals, towns and cities throughout Ireland and across Europe. Conjuring up playful, delicious and delirious stories that are extensions of the human condition. A Macnas show ignites, excites and invites the unpredictable.
EX-CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL BY BUÍ BOLG
This year, the creative response to the theme this year, is inspired by the Natural History Museum in Dublin City. The costumes and floats will reflect the natural world, the people who collected the specimens for the museum and the specimens themselves! Over 100 performers will bring to life butterflies, jellyfish and dinosaur skeletons all moving amongst the giant books and specimen jars!
Buí Bolg Outdoor Arts is a team of skilled visual artists and engineers, performers and designers, led by Artistic Director Colm Lowney. It was established in Wexford in 1994 by a group of young, enthusiastic art graduates aiming to bring art out on to the streets and make it accessible for all. Their first ever event was the St. Patrick’s Parade on Wexford’s Quay front in 1994. Since then, Buí Bolg has gone on to tour the festival circuit, appearing at events as diverse as the Earagail Arts Festival in Donegal to the International Tourism and Culture Festival in Beijing!