Apartment Block C is a short play created by RADE participants and writer / actor Liam Wilson Smyth. It was presented at the Project Arts Centre, Essex Street, Dublin 2 on June 7^th 2023 during a one-day residency. Apartment Block C was devised during a 10 week series of workshops at RADE in which Liam developed a script in collaboration with RADE participants and introduced them to the craft of acting. The play follows a group of apartment residents as they attempt to negotiate their way to claim a lottery winning ticket that has been found in the block. Needless to say, everyone feels sure that the ticket is theirs but not one person has any evidence.

During a post-show feedback session, one RADE participant commented on how they felt as a result of taking part in the process:  

‘I took drugs to feel confident and looked outside myself to feel good, but through RADE I have found an alternative and have discovered that I am good from the inside.  There are other avenues out there and RADE is one of them.  I can express myself authentically and hold my head high as I walk down the road’.   

RADE was delighted to be invited by the Project Arts Centre to spend this residency day in the Cube theatre, providing participants with an invaluable opportunity to work and perform in a professional theatre space. Cathy Coughlan, Director of Project Potential and her team gave RADE a magnificent welcome. One day in the theatre and we could feel its magic.

With thanks to:

Project Arts Centre

SICDATF – South Inner City Drug and Alcohol Task Force

RADE notes the recent passing of film maker, David Stone.

David worked with RADE in 2019 when we were putting together ideas for what would become RADE’s most recent film, ‘The Tapper’s Opera’.

Unfortunately, David had to step away from our collaboration because of his health. All of us at RADE, including former director and founder Mick Egan, extend our condolences to David’s family and friends. We are glad that we got to work, albeit for a limited time, with such a fine person.

The Tapper’s Opera was completed in 2020 and is still available to view here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L__-9OwiEAA

was staged in the OLV Building in July 2016

Over 2 days participants presented ‘1916 Kids’ to a full house.  Participants spent the majority of 2015 researching the 1916 Rising.  The production involved performances from many newcomers.  Tommy KD opened the show with a rap about the Rising.

Watch a short video from production above.

After a long rest Get Stoned was recast for a new audience

To mark the official handover of funds raised from our performance of A Hundred Years Ago we performed Get Stoned  in May 2014, at the Dublin Simon Social Club in Capel Street. For some participants this was their first live performance. The performance was warmly received by the Dublin Simon group.

The cheque of €1,487.30 was accepted by Sam McGuinness for Dublin Simon Community.

Get Stoned was written and directed by Mick Egan.

RTE auditions 

RADErs auditioned for the next series of ‘Love/Hate’ on Friday 11th April. Casting director Maureen Hughes visited the project and worked through a small section of the script with participants. Eight participants in total were selected for Series 5, with two participants receiving speaking parts. Series 5 of ‘Love/Hate’ is due to be aired on RTÉ in the Autumn. Our lips are sealed on storylines!

Music recording in Dublin studio

Working with writer Malcolm MacClancy, the group wrote new lyrics to well-known Irish ballads which were used in the production of A Hundred Years Ago. These songs were later recorded in a professional studio. These songs are available on CD.

 

Highlights from the rehearsals and performances of A Hundred Years Ago

A Hundred Years Ago explores the dramatic events that evolved through the autumn of 1913 when ordinary workers took a stand with Jim Larkin against the employers of Dublin city and the subsistent wages that held them in slavery.

The play, that includes both jaunty and haunting ballad songs, is delivered with bawdy and raucous humour. The food kitchens, proselytizers and Monto girls all come to life, as do families and workers struggling to survive in the slum tenements. Here you will find the Dubliners’ irreverent wit, chiseled from their ancestors and presented, warts and all, by the RADE Company in their distinctive style.

Much of the dialogue for this year’s show has been compiled from our creative writing class, which gives the drama a tangible and authentic voice when addressing this exciting and conflicting period in Dublin’s history. Mick Egan is responsible for the script collaboration.

This production was staged in Smock Alley Theatre in September 2013, the OLV Building during the month of December, Farmleigh House in April 2014, and for a benefit night for Dublin Simon Community in March 2014.  The play also featured at the Addiction Festival run by THEATREclub and Depaul Ireland in March 2014.

The original production, staged in Smock Alley Theatre, included all RADE participants. The cast was later reduced to 8 to allow the play to tour.

To mark the end of the Lockout centenary celebrations we performed ‘A Hundred Years Ago’ in Liberty Hall Theatre

Above is the full live performance on film.  All proceeds raised from ticket and book sales were donated to Dublin Simon Community.

At this performance Dublin rapper Tommy KD sang a beautiful version of ‘The Kiddies Scheme Song’ 

 

Choral tunes rang out during rehearsals in RADE

Musician and composer Séan Millar collaborated with RADE on a songcycle for theatre, entitled The Last Ten Years, which combines choral music and ritual performance to consider various aspects of our attitudes towards pain relief, medication and the legal and illegal drug trade. The atmospheric St. Patrick’s Cathedral was the setting for the performance which sonically creates something magical crossing the line between theatre and actual living experience.

This production was also performed in Liberty Hall Theatre with Minister Róisín Shorthall TD in attendance.

The first staging of The Last Ten Years in May was a great success. The feedback was very positive and supportive. This prompted us to enter the Dublin Fringe Festival.

 

 

President Michael D. Higgins and Mrs. Sabina Higgins visit RADE

RADE were delighted to host the President and his wife on Friday 25th November in RADE’s premises. It was a great honour, particularly given his long history as a powerful voice supporting the two significant areas that affect our programme: the Arts and the underclass.

RADE participants performed a short 10-minute theatre piece, Get Stoned, for the President and exhibited their artwork. Artists and community leaders were in attendance on the day.

Social Inclusion Week in Dublin City Council

Get Stoned, written and directed by Mick Egan, was performed  at the Woodquay Venue. The production was later performed at the International Drug Conference in Dublin and at RADE’s Open Theatre Week in the OLV Building.  This production enabled a number of participants to perform both acting and singing.  Jenna learnt how to play the ukulele for these performances.

No pun intended!

Raders of the Lost Art was written and directed by Mick Egan. Mick worked with the group through the stories of The Táin. The show was performed in the Project Arts Centre, Axis in Ballymun, Ballyfermot Community Centre, the Pavilion in Dún Laoghaire, and Draíocht in Blanchardstown. This was the first time RADE brought one of their plays on tour.

 

Bringing old Irish Myth to the Stage

Using  Thomas Kinsella’s Tain Bó Cuailgne,  wirter/director Mick Egan transformed this legendary tale from early Irish history to create a funny and engaging stage play.  The production premiered in The Project Arts Centre and later played in numerous venues throughout Dublin including Axis Theatre Ballymun, Draiocht Blanchardstown, Pavilion Dun Laoghaire and Ballyfermot Community Centre to name a few.  

RADEr’s designed and created the props, set and costumes for this production.

Performing for the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese 

Guest of Honour in 2007

President McAleese was RADE’s 2007 guest of honour at our annual showcase in the Project Arts Centre. The group performed their Tai Chi demonstration and performed the play These People, written and directed by Pom Boyd (actress/writer). Pom worked closely with the group, facilitating drama workshops to devise this clever witty script.  RADErs also exhibited their artwork on the evening and read stories from their creative writing publication ‘Somewhere to Flap Your Wings’

Where it all began

Working with actress and writer Judith Ryan, Angel of Mercy was developed and staged at the Project Arts Centre.  This was a first ever stage appearance for many participants and for RADE