A whole new take on 'Happy Days'

Building the set at the back of Inis Oirr. All photos by island resident Cormac Coyne.

The spactacular landscape at the back of Inis Oirr provides the setting for the first ever run of an Irish language version of ‘Happy Days’ by Samuel Beckett as part of the Galway International Arts Festival (GIAF) next week.

Director Sarah Jane Scaife has had a passion for both Inis Oirr and the works of Beckett for many years and she decided to bring the two together during a one month residency at Aras Eanna after the lockdown came to an end.

Read about her residency here: https://aras-eanna.ie/en/sarah-jane-brings-beckett-to-inis-oirr/

It has been a remarkable process.

She worked with translator Micheal O Conghaile to bring ‘Happy Days’ from urban Dublin to the Irish speaking west coast.

Actors Bríd Ní Neactain and Raymond Keane, who brings a visual aspect to the production, worked intensely with them on the project on the island. So intense is Raymond’s interpretation that even non Irish speakers will love the show!

There has been great demand for tickets for the lunchtime shows (1.30pm) which will allow people to enjoy ‘Laethan ta Saora’ during one day trips from Galway or Doolin.

The production is a partnership between the Abbey Theatre, the Galway International Arts Festival, Company SJ, and Áras Éanna.

During the show, we are also thrilled to present an exhibition in our art gallery which examines the process of development of this stunning production.

Call in to see how designer Ger Clancy and islanders Máirtín Stiofán Seoige, Máirtín Celine Seoige and Thomas Noel Sharry built the mound for this totally unique performance space on the edge of Europe.

There will be photographs on display from island resident Cormac Coyne, recordings of women who live here on Inis Oirr, portrait portraits of Inis Oirr women, and a memorable video on a loop in the gallery.

The exhibition is open daily at Áras Éanna from August 30 to September 5 (10am to 5pm).

More information about this spectacular show and exhibition is available on the Galway International Arts Festival website: https://www.giaf.ie/festival/event/laethanta-sona-happy-days