Chatting with Andy Irvine
One of the ideas I had before coming into the festival this year was that we could invite people to come along to the festival hub and ask a question of any of the artists myself and John were down to interview. Then looking at things I thought, well, why limit it to just one question. If you're getting the opportunity to speak with someone, surely you should be doing just that - speak, converse, chat, see where the conversation goes.
So, when Paul Brett submitted a question via Twitter and we picked it up I suggested to Paul that he come in and ask all the questions. Thankfully, he accepted and so too did Andy Irvine who took some time out after sound checks yesterday to have a chat with Paul outside St. Canice's Cathedral. From audience expectations to styles of music, old tunes to new tunes and beyond, take a look (above) at what unfolded.
We'll have live footage of Andy's performance in St. Canice's Cathedral later today. His new album, Abocurragh, his first solo since 1999 is literally out any second now. Bag yourself a copy via AndyIrvine.com.
- Ken
Meet Para Papel (De Molecula)
We caught up with Children's strand curator Joe Brennan and members of Spanish theatre company De Molecula who presented Para Papel over Wednesday and Thursday of the festival for four performances.
Here the group talk to Joe about the show, their style of performances and how the audience got on with Para Papel.
By the time this hits the blog you'll have about 20 minutes before their final performance! Go go go....
- Ken
Meet Ontroerend Goed
I posted earlier in the week that I had been along to The Smile Off Your Face, now finished, packed up and leaving Kilkenny Arts Festival for pastures new. I still want to tell you about the experience, the thoughts that were racing through my mind, the conversations I've had with people who have been into the show as well but, you know, if you haven't seen it, there isn't a whole lot we can talk about!
I could tell you it's brilliant, thought provoking, intimate, an incredible experience, and I wouldn't be lying, but without giving a whole lot away about the show, I'll let Kristof and Joeri fill you in. They were good enough to drop in for a chat with me at the festival hub at Left Bank and this (above) is what we spoke about...
- Ken
Joe Brennan Talks The Children’s Strand
With the sun splitting the stones yesterday lunchtime, I made my way to the castle park to catch up with Joe Brennan just ahead of The Billy Holiday Show's afternoon performance.
There's genuinely loads going on at the festival for children, from costume making to book readings, puppetry, story telling, theatre shows, craft workshops and more. There's no better man than Joe to let you know what's going on, so if you're planning a visit to the Kilkenny Arts Festival with the family this coming weekend, take a look at the clip above to find out what's available.
You'll find all the details on the children's events here.
THEATREclub, Action Hero Are Coming
Meet Ellen Mandel & Robert Gildon
Ellen Mandel and Rob Gildon bring their show To An Isle In The Water to Set Theatre tonight at 10pm and again tomorrow at 1pm, the "old fashioned" performance combining the words of EE Cummings, Seamus Heaney, Yeats and more to Ellen's piano compositions.
As part of our series of ongoing artist interviews throughout the festival, we managed to nab Ellen and Rob (thanks again guys!) in the Festival Hub at Left Bank to find out a bit more on their show and what they'll be getting up to on stage.
We'll have some more catchups with festival artists on the way but for now, see more on To An Isle In The Water.
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