Don't anticipate the ending Creative encounters with the Brian Friel Papers

The Brian Friel Papers

Now is it coming together?

This question from Friel’s notes towards Dancing at Lughnasa (1990) was one of four archival fragments selected by dancer-choreographer Jessie Keenan when developing a live improvisation technique to generate new material during a Dance House residency in May 2019.

From MS 37,104/1, National Library of Ireland; copyright Brian Friel Estate, reproduced by permission.

Transcription

Now is it coming together?

Fr. Jack is the catalyst in this way: –

The Dream Fr Jck is a myth – the saint, hero, chaplain.

He has been sent come because of his reversal to pagan rites

That is what he does for the family – through the language of dance they are put in touch with deeper, truer wells of authenticity.

CATALYSIS BROUGHT ABOUT BY FR. JACK.

The Creative Process

Jessie Keenan's questions

Jessie Keenan compiled this list of phrases and questions after visiting Friel’s archives and sharing research with Friel scholar Zosia Kuczyńska.

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The Creative Process

Now is it coming together?

This is Jessie Keenan’s original dance improvisation to audio she recorded in response to the question ‘Now is it coming together?’

“Now is it coming together?” – Brian Friel

The Creative Process

Rehearsal, 14 August 2020

These photographs were taken by Zosia Kuczyńska during project workshops and rehearsals at Dance House on 14 August 2020.

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Don't anticipate the ending Creative encounters with the Brian Friel Papers

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Presented in partnership with the National Library of Ireland