Theatre 57 are a brand-new collective of over 70 theatre artists that have come together to work as a unit, assessing what it’s like to make art and theatre in Galway.
The official launch will be taking place in Electric Garden and Theatre on Monday 21 January at 7pm and all are welcome. The collective includes Little John Nee, Fregoli Theatre’s Maria Tivnan, Emma O’Grady, Aindrias DeStaic, Moonfish’s Máiréad Ní Chróinín and many more independent artists, including designers, costume makers and actors. I caught up with Theatre 57’s Sarah O’Toole and Féilim O’hAoláin to discuss the collective’s upcoming launch and hopes for the future. Their excitement was palpable.
Speaking of Galway City as a whole, Féilim notes that “the more a city flourishes in various ways, whether it is tech, restaurants, arts or culture, it makes the city better and has a long-term effect.” Sarah chimed in to make the incredibly valid point that “if you spend so much time fighting, there is less time to make the art itself, so if there is something already in place there will be more time to put into the actual explorations and creation of art.” Theatre 57 are striving to put the much-needed resources in place so that future generations are not faced with this obstacle.
Theatre 57 have come together to provide the support and resources needed by the arts community in the Capital of Culture. They officially launched on January 21. The collective has the ambition, energy and creativity to change the way theatre is made in Galway.
Cover image by Boyd Challenger; other images from Theatre 57 launch via Biteclub and Emilija Jefremova. Words by Sarah Gill.