THE CENTER FOR IRISH STUDIES PRESENTS "BELLOW"
Wednesday, March 11 | Thursday, March 12 | Friday, March 13 | All shows at 7 p.m.
Topper Theater of The John and Joan Mullen Center for Performing Arts
Bellow tells the extraordinary real-life story of one of Ireland鈥檚 foremost accordionists, Danny O鈥橫ahony, a man who had dedicated his life to the preservation of traditional Irish music.
Now, after 40 years of breathing life into centuries-old tunes, Danny is finally taking a moment to stop and consider what this lifelong dedication has cost him. From the vibrant dance halls of his youth to the quiet solitude of late-night practice Bellow weaves together past and present as Danny revisits pivotal moments in his life, his first taste of music as a child, the mentors who shaped him, and the unrelenting pursuit of mastery that left little room for little else.
Alongside Danny鈥檚 sublime live accordion playing, Bellow features an original electronic composition by Valgier Siggurdson and contemporary dance. The result is an arresting theatre performance exploring the artist鈥檚 need to express their true self.
Created and directored by: Brokentalkers | Written by: Feidlim Cannon, Gary Keegan and Danny O鈥橫ahony | Performed by: Danny O鈥橫ahony, Gary Keegan and Emily Kilkenny Roddy
鈥淔or this show of bravery and three excellent performances, which are far more than just an actor, musician and dancer on stage, it is an inspiring production, exhibiting all the potential and magic of theatre in a thought provoking and emotive piece of work. What can happen when tradition meets experimentation? The answer we discover, quite thrillingly, is anything and everything.鈥�
鈥� Tripe + Drisheen (Ireland)
About Brokentalkers
A multi-award-winning Dublin-based theatre company, led by co-artistic directors Feidlim Cannon and Gary Keegan with creative producer Rachel Bergin. For over two decades, Brokentalkers have been making formally ambitious work that defies categorization and have built a reputation internationally as one of Ireland's most innovative and original theatre companies.
SPECIAL THANKS
Bellow is funded by The Arts Council of Ireland. Touring is supported by Culture Ireland .
Co-Produced by The Everyman, Droichead Arts Centre, Mermaid Arts Centre and Town Hall Theatre Galway. Supported by Dublin Theatre Festivals Futures Award.
Villanova's Center for Irish Studies hosts a theatrical production each spring, bringing an Irish culture experience to the Villanova community.
2024: Lost Lear
is an innovative and powerful contemporary rewrite of Shakespeare鈥檚 play, King Lear, telling the story of Joy, a retired actor with dementia who is reliving her memory of rehearsing the Shakespearean tragedy. Written by Dublin-based Dan Colley and Company, the 2024 Villanova production was the North American Premiere.