The Piece with the Drums

immediate, endearing and subtle…excellently cast…a rich and constantly morphing interaction between movement and sound

We vibe, we vibrate, hearts pumping, rhythm jumping,
Drumming up the earth’s vibrations, 
Infusing our heartbeat, our breath…

Pulsating with theatrical magic, CoisCéim Dance Theatre's THE PIECE WITH THE DRUMS is a driving dance narrative between dancer and percussion. Directed and choreographed by David Bolger, with music, beats and everything in between by pioneering Jazz percussionist Conor Guilfoyle, this major work is a colourful exploration of relationships, spirituality, and our connection to rhythm, life and the cosmos.

With humour and swift sharp dancing from a cast of exceptional artists Justine Cooper, Ivonne Kalter, Jonathan Mitchell, Alex O’Neill and Donking Rongavilla, it features set & costume design by Katie Davenport and is bathed in brilliant light by Eamon Fox. 

TOURING IRELAND | 18 OCTOBER - 20 NOVEMBER 2024

COMING TO THE MAC BELFAST, THE EVERYMAN CORK, DRAÍOCHT BLANCHARDSTOWN, An Grianán LETTERKENNY, TOWN HALL THEATRE GALWAY, THE CIVIC TALLAGHT, PAVILION THEATRE, DUN LAOGHAIRE

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All-Island Tour 2024

Pavilion Theatre

Dún Laoghaire (map)

20 November 2024

8pm

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All-Island Tour 2024

The Civic Theatre

Tallaght (map)

15 - 16 November 2024

8pm

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CHOREOGRAPHIC WORKSHOP

NUI Galway

Galway, Ireland (map)

13 November 2024

11:00am - 1:00pm

WITH DAVID BOLGER

Postgraduate workshop as part of The Druid Academy with NUI Galway. 

More Information

All-Island Tour 2024

Town Hall Theatre

Galway (map)

12 November 2024

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All-Island Tour 2024

An Grianán Theatre

Letterkenny, Ireland (map)

7 November 2024

Celebrating 25 years of An Grianán Theatre –  CoisCéim Dance Theatre was one of the very first companies to perform on its stage when the theatre opened in October 1999. To mark the occasion this performance will be proceeded by a complimentary drinks reception from 7pm for all ticket holders and will be followed by live music in the foyer from the Szabó-Yélamo String Duo.

7pm

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“delightful… stunning dance sequences… lifts you off your feet… to craft an experience of joy”

flair and humour [in] this impressive production that will knock you out of the January blues.


PRODUCTION HISTORY

All-Island Tour 2024

draiocht

Blanchardstown

26 October 2024

8pm

CHOREOGRAPHIC WORKSHOP

Dance Cork Firkin Crane

Cork

24 October 2024

WITH David Bolger

All-Island Tour 2024

THE EVERYMAN

Cork

23 October 2024

8pm

Presented in collaboration with Firkin Crane. Included post-show conversation moderated by Laurie Uprichard.

All-Ireland Tour 2024

The MAC

Belfast

18 - 19 October 2024

Part of Belfast International Arts Festival. Included post-show discussion led by Richard Wakely and audio described performance.

World Premiere

Project Arts Centre

Dublin

24 - 28 January 2023

Touch Tour and Relaxed Performance on 26 January.

BROADREACH | DANCE & DRUMMING WORKSHOP

Project Arts Centre

Dublin

26 January 2023

Led by Cathy Coughlan with Conor Guilfoyle.

ACCESSIBILITY

In line with CoisCéim’s strategic goals, making the project as accessible to as many people as possible was a priority. The premiere run of THE PIECE WITH THE DRUMS at Project Arts Centre introduced the company’s Pay What You Can ticket pricing, where audiences can choose a price that works for them.  This production also featured a bespoke Broadreach initiative that included a Dance & Drumming Workshop, Touch Tour and Relaxed Performance on 26 January 2023. Led by Cathy Coughlan with Conor Guilfoyle. 28 participants from RehabCare, part of The Rehab Group; Dun Laoghaire Resource Centre; and Engine Room Artist development programme participants from Run Of The Mill inclusive Theatre Group took part in this dance and drumming workshop on stage at Project Arts Centre. 
 
In 2024, as part of its national tour access highlights included an audio described performance of THE PIECE WITH THE DRUMS on Saturday 19 October for the Belfast International Arts Festival, which was made possible through the generous support of The Foyle Foundation.


Credits

Director David Bolger
Choreography
 David Bolger in collaboration with the dancers
Music 
Conor Guilfoyle 
Set and Costume 
Katie Davenport
Lighting 
Eamon Fox
Hair & Makeup
 Val Sherlock

2024 TOUR
CAST 
Justine Cooper, Conor Guilfoyle, Ivonne Kalter, Jonathan Mitchell, Alex O’Neill, donking rongavilla

Production Manager Michael Lonergan
Stage Manager Barbara Hughes
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER MICHAELA cONLEY
CHIEF LX Maeubh Brennan
chief av laura rainsford
SOUND ENGINEER JOHN NORTON
COSTUME SUPERVISOR JAMES SEAVER
design assistant florentina burcea

2023 world premiere production
Cast 
Justine Cooper, Ghaliah Conroy, Conor Guilfoyle, Ivonne Kalter, Jonathan Mitchell, Alex O’Neill

Production Manager Seán Dennehy
Stage Manager Stephanie Ryan
Assistant Stage Manager Laura Murphy
CHIEF LX EOIN WINNING
CHIEF FX MICHAEL STAPLETON
COSTUME SUPERVISOR JAMES SEAVER
with special thanks to Diarmuid Armstrong

Partners

RTE STA Logo Black

Each year, RTÉ supports many local and national arts events throughout Ireland through media partnerships and widespread cultural content on Radio 1, 2fm, lyric fm, Raidio na Gaeltachta, RTÉ One and Two, across RTÉ.ie, and via the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

In addition, RTÉ supports events by offering promotional air-time on RTÉ Radio and Television. This airtime has proven vital in allowing events to grow and develop from year to year. Equally, every year, new and exciting arts projects are established and look to RTÉ to help with getting the word out.

Through RTÉ Supporting the Arts, RTÉ is privileged to be part of the effort to showcase the wealth of talent, diversity and artistic expression here in Ireland.

https://about.rte.ie/supporting-the-arts/about-rte-supporting-the-arts/

Foyle Foundation

The Piece With The Drums audio described performance for Belfast International Arts Festival 2024 was made possible with the support of The Foyle Foundation. The Foyle Foundation is an independent grant making trust that distributes grants to U.K. based registered charities and schools.  The Foundation was formed to implement the will of the late Christina Foyle. She was the daughter of William Foyle who, with his brother, founded the former family owned bookshop Foyles in Charing Cross Road, London.

https://foylefoundation.org.uk/