About the Artists

Fishamble: The New Play Company presents Swing Written by Steve Blount, Peter Daly, Gavin Kostick and Janet Moran Performed by Arthur Riordan and Gene Rooney

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Arthur Riordan - Performer (Joe): is a founder member of Rough Magic and has appeared in many of their productions, including Peer Gynt, Improbable Frequency, Solemn Mass for a Full Moon in Summer, and more. He has also worked with the Abbey & Peacock Theatre, Gaiety Theatre, Corcadorca, Pan Pan, Druid, The Corn Exchange, Bedrock Productions, Red Kettle, Fishamble, Project, Bewleys Café Theatre and most recently, with Livin’ Dred, in their production of The Kings Of The Kilburn High Road. Film and TV appearances include Out Of Here, Ripper Street, The Clinic, Fair City, Refuge, Borstal Boy, Rat, Pitch’n’Putt with Joyce’n’Beckett, My Dinner With Oswald, and more.

Gene Rooney - Performer (May): has performed on almost every stage in Ireland in over 40 productions. Some of these include: Buck Jones and the Bodysnatchers (Dublin Theatre Festival), The Colleen Bawn Trials (Limerick City of Culture), Pigtown, The Taming of the Shrew, Lovers (Island Theatre Company), The Importance of Being Earnest (Gúna Nua), Our Father (With an F Productions), How I Learned to Drive (The Lyric, Belfast), I ❤Alice ❤ I (Hot for Theatre), TV and film work includes Moone Boy, Stella Days, The Sea, Hideaways, Killinaskully, Botched, The Last Furlong and The Clinic

Janet Moran - Writer Janet’s stage work includes Juno and the Paycock (National Theatre, London/Abbey Theatre coproduction), Shibari, Translations, No Romance, The Recruiting Officer, The Cherry orchard, She Stoops to Conquer, Communion, The Barbaric Comedies, The Well of the Saints and The Hostage (all at the Abbey Theatre). Film and television work includes Quirke (BBC) with Gabriel Byrne, Trivia, Love/Hate, Love is the Drug, The Clinic (RTE), The Butcher Boy, Breakfast on Pluto, Milo, Minim Rest, Bono and My Ex, Moll Flanders, Nothing Personal and Volkswagen Joe.

Steve Blount - Writer Steve’s previous work for Fishamble includes Tiny Plays for Ireland 1, Tiny Plays for Ireland 2 and Pilgrims in the Park. Other theatre includes A Streetcar Named Desire (Gate), Across the Lough (Performance Corporation), Paisley and Me (Belfast Opera House and NI tour), Bog Boy (Tall Tales and Irish Arts Center, New York), Only and Apple, Savoy, The Wild Duck, Judas of the Gallarus, The Pauper, She Stoops to Folly, (Abbey Theatre), Tarry Flynn (Abbey Theatre/National Theatre, London). Film and television work includes Moone Boy, Titanic, Blood and Steel, Game of Thrones, The Race, 32A, Single Handed, Prosperity, The Clinic, Stolen Child, Stardust, Breakfast on Pluto, Bachelors Walk, Fair City, Glenroe, The Colleen Bawn, Agnes Browne, Mad About Mambo, Pips, Johnny Loves Suzy and Though the Sky.

Gavin Kostick – writer Gavin Kostick is a playwright with works produced nationally and internationally and who is also active in the worlds of Opera and Dance. As Literary Manager for Fishamble: The New Play Company and as an independent dramaturg he is involved in wide range of performance development initiatives throughout Ireland. He is also a tutor in dramaturgy at the Lir, National Academy of Dramatic Art. Peter Daly - Writer & Director - Recent acting work includes Guaranteed, Tiny Plays for Ireland I & II (Fishamble), The Critic, Jezebel, Travesties, Peer Gynt, The Importance Of Being Earnest, Life Is A Dream, Don Carlos, Attempts On Her Life, The Taming Of The Shrew (Rough Magic), The Government Inspector, Arrah Na Pogue, The Comedy of Errors, The Shaughraun and The Cherry Orchard (Abbey Theatre), Death Of A Salesman (The Gate Theatre), The Dead School & Conversations On A Homecoming (Livin Dred). Television include Trivia, The Mario Rosenstock Show, The Clinic, and Love Is The Drug (RTÉ) Radio includes The Eamon Lowe Show (Today FM).

FISHAMBLE: THE NEW PLAY COMPANY is a multi-award winning, internationally acclaimed Irish theatre company, dedicated to the discovery, development and production of new work. Fishamble is committed to touring throughout Ireland and internationally, and typically presents over 200 performances of its plays in approximately 60 venues per year. Fishamble has earned a reputation as ‘a global brand with international theatrical presence’ (Irish Times), ‘forward-thinking Fishamble’ (The New York Times), ‘acclaimed Irish company’ (The Scotsman) and ‘excellent Fishamble…Ireland’s terrific Fishamble’ (The Guardian) through touring its productions to audiences in Ireland as well as to England, Scotland, Wales, France, Germany, Iceland, Croatia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Turkey, Finland, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Awards for Fishamble productions include Scotsman Fringe First, Herald Angel, Argus Angel, MAMCA, 1st Irish, The Stage and Irish Times Theatre awards, as well as Stewart Parker Trust awards for many of its first time playwrights, and nominations for EMA, Business to Arts and Total Theatre awards. In 2016, Fishamble was nominated with writer/performer Pat Kinevane for an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre for the Fishamble production of Silent at the Soho Theatre in London. During 2013, to celebrate the company’s 25th birthday, Fishamble donated its living archive to the National Library of Ireland. Fishamble is at the heart of new writing for theatre in Ireland, not just through its productions, but through its extensive programme of Training, Development and Mentoring schemes. Each year, Fishamble typically supports 60% of the writers of all new plays produced on the island of Ireland, approximately 55 plays per year. ‘Ireland’s terrific Fishamble’ The Guardian, 2015 ‘Fishamble puts electricity in the National grid of dreams’ Sebastian Barry

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION: About ten years ago Swing writer/original cast member Janet Moran danced with co-writer and fellow original cast member Steve Blount at a party. Steve used to do swing dancing and when he danced with Janet she told him that it was the best dance of her life. This idea was something that stayed with Janet and every so often when she bumped into him she would come back to that feeling that herself and Steve should write a play where they get to dance together. Fishamble’s Literary Manager, Gavin Kostick, worked with Janet and Steve to co- write the play, and they were joined by Peter Daly, who also directed the production, as the fourth member of the writing team.

While researching the show the cast had to learn how to dance. Both Janet & Steve attended dance classes until Steve got another acting job and Janet had the daunting prospect of attending by herself. Over the weeks while being partnered with different people she would hear different stories and motivations of why people chose these classes. One of them being a man who was married to his partner for twenty years and just recently bereaved, this was a way for social interaction with the pressure. Another attendee who caught her eye was Fede, with whom, after a couple of weeks, a romance started to slowly blossom and also act as an inspiration for Swing.

Swing premiered in 2013 at Tiger Dublin Fringe as part of Show in a Bag in partnership with Fishamble: New Play Company and Irish Theatre Institute.

Swing is a comedy about dancing and music and love and not settling and feeling like and eejit and being brave and having doubts and trying your best and trying new things and thinking outside the box an seeing things clearly and living as well as you can and giving it a lash.

This is a charming play about the relationship between May and Joe which develops through an academic year of Swing classes. During the year, they must deal with romantic dilemmas, career problems and life choices, not to mention the other participants in the class.

Together, the Swing writing team have created a beautiful and uplifting play, full of humanity and insight. Audiences have responded so positively to the play as it has such an enjoyably wicked sense of humour but also has a lot to say, in its unassuming way, about the power we have to help each other through life’s challenges. Two years on, the roles have been re-cast and we are delighted to welcome two of Ireland’s leading actors, Gene Rooney and Arthur Riordan, to the show.

In 2016, Fishamble: The New Play Company will bring Swing on a 13-week tour around the world, including 9 Irish venues, 15 venues in the UK, and 10 venues in Australia.

Swing will make you want to dance.

MARKETING COPY:

Fishamble: The New Play Company presents Swing

Written by Steve Blount, Peter Daly, Gavin Kostick, and Janet Moran Directed by Peter Daly Cast Arthur Riordan and Gene Rooney Lighting Design by Mark Galione Sound Design by Ivan Birthistle Produced by Eva Scanlan

An international hit, fresh from New York, Paris, Edinburgh and New Zealand. A comedy about dancing and music and love and not settling and feeling like an eejit and being brave and having doubts and trying your best and trying new things and thinking outside the box and seeing things clearly and living as well as you can and giving it a lash. With rock ‘n’ roll music. It'll make you want to dance.

★★★★★ The New York Times ★★★★★ The Scotsman ★★★★★ Herald Scotland ★★★★★ Irish Theatre Magazine ★★★★ The Guardian ★★★★ The Times ★★★★ The Irish Times ★★★★ The Sunday Times ★★★★ Irish Daily Mail ★★★★ Broadway Baby 'winning...charming...you want to join them on the floor' CRITICS' PICK ★★★★★ New York Times "A dazzling display of theatrical talent...Remarkable...Moving" Irish Echo ‘Moran and Blount create endearing visions of stalled lives in a whirl of possibility and, with elegant guidance, Daly lets them dance like angels’ ★★★★ Irish Times

‘Funny, warm, and well produced, with a rousing finale that’s enough to make you kick up your own heels’ ★★★★★ Irish Theatre Magazine

‘there's a real sweetness to this comedy. Give it a whirl.’ ★★★★Sunday Times

Running time: 60 mins Swing is produced by ‘Ireland’s excellent Fishamble’ (Guardian, 2015) which is funded by the Arts Council and Dublin City Council. Its international touring is supported by Culture Ireland. It was developed as part of Show in a Bag, an artist development initiative of Dublin Fringe Festival, Fishamble: The New Play Company and Irish Theatre Institute to resource theatre makers and actors. www.fishamble.com AUDIENCES:

Target audiences: Swing will appeal to people who:  enjoy rockabilly music, dance, and rock ‘n’ roll music  who enjoy comedy, particularly romantic comedies  Evening class participants  Dance groups  Retirement groups  Community groups  Mature students

Engaging audiences:

How to engage target audience: - Depending on the travel arrangements / length of engagement, there might be an option of a post-show discussion with the actors. This should be discussed with the Company before any such event is planned to ensure availability.

SELLING THE SHOW:

USP: Two of Ireland’s leading actors play 20 characters with interspersed Swing dancing during a 60 minute romantic comedy, Swing is all about living as well as you can and ‘giving it a lash’…with rock ‘n’ roll music.

Summary of the content of the show:  It brings together different dance genres, styles of music and two actors playing 30 different characters that you may find in your dance class.

Mention of any interesting or unique collaboration which may attract audiences:  Co-written by award winning writer Gavin Kostick  Originally a Show in a Bag Initiative with Tiger Dublin Fringe, Irish Theatre Institute and Fishamble: New Play Company. These organisations wanted to create an initiative that would support theatre artists to make easily tourable work, helping actors to have their own ‘show in a bag’, and offer venues throughout Ireland & UK the chance to programme top quality work

ONLINE MARKETING & PRESS:

Fishamble will promote Swing on our website and social media channels, and through the press:

WEBSITE: - Fishamble Diaries – on the road blogposts from the cast, stage managers, and director about remounting the show, fun anecdotes, photos, video blogs. - News: promoting the show through regular updates on news, reviews about Swing - Actor profiles

FACEBOOK & TWITTER: - Updates on the Swing tour for Irish, UK, and Australian dates - Profiles on the actors - Fun Q&As from actors & stage managers during tour - Liaising with house UK venues for cross promotion, RT of venue-specific tweets.

MAILING LIST: - The Swing tour will feature heavily in our bi-monthly eBlast to over 4500 people on our mailing list, with details on the tour, cast, upcoming performances.

IMAGES: - Promotional images will be shared with each venue for social media / mailing list use; - Images from the tour will be Facebooked and shared with venues, where possible.

PRESS RELEASE: Fishamble: The New Play Company presents Swing Written by Steve Blount, Peter Daly, Gavin Kostick, and Janet Moran Directed by Peter Daly Starring Arthur Riordan and Gene Rooney

Irish, UK and Australian tour Commencing 22 March ★★★★★ The New York Times ★★★★★ The Scotsman ★★★★★ Herald Scotland

Fishamble: The New Play Company is delighted to announce details of an Irish, UK and Australian tour for their International hit show Swing.

A comedy about dancing and music and love and not settling and feeling like an eejit and being brave and having doubts and trying your best and trying new things and thinking outside the box and seeing things clearly and living as well as you can and giving it a lash. With rock ‘n’ roll music. It'll make you want to dance.

This uplifting production is written by Steve Blount, Peter Daly, Gavin Kostick, and Janet Moran, directed by Peter Daly and stars Arthur Riordan and Gene Rooney with lighting design by Mark Galione and sound design by Ivan Birthistle.

Critical acclaim for Swing: ★★★★ The Guardian ★★★★ The Times ★★★★ The Irish Times ★★★★ The Sunday Times ★★★★ Irish Daily Mail 'winning...charming...you want to join them on the floor' CRITICS' PICK ★★★★★ New York Times "A dazzling display of theatrical talent...Remarkable...Moving" Irish Echo ‘Moran and Blount create endearing visions of stalled lives in a whirl of possibility and, with elegant guidance, Daly lets them dance like angels’ ★★★★ Irish Times

‘Funny, warm, and well produced, with a rousing finale that’s enough to make you kick up your own heels’ ★★★★★ Irish Theatre Magazine

‘there's a real sweetness to this comedy. Give it a whirl.’ ★★★★Sunday Times

About SWING: Swing is produced by ‘Ireland’s excellent Fishamble’ (Guardian, 2015) which is funded by the Arts Council and Dublin City Council, international touring is supported by Culture Ireland.

This production was first developed as part of Show in a Bag, an artist development initiative of Dublin Fringe Festival, Fishamble: The New Play Company and Irish Theatre Institute to resource theatre makers and actors.

Fishamble is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed Irish theatre company, dedicated to the discovery, development and production of new work. Fishamble is committed to touring throughout Ireland and internationally, and typically presents over 200 performances of its plays in approximately 60 venues per year. Fishamble has earned a reputation as ‘a global brand with international theatrical presence’ (Irish Times), ‘forward- thinking Fishamble’ (New York Times) and ‘excellent Fishamble…Ireland’s terrific Fishamble’ (Guardian). Fishamble is at the heart of new writing for theatre in Ireland, not just through its productions, but through its extensive programme of Training, Development and Mentoring schemes. www.fishamble.com

2016 Swing tour schedule:

IRISH TOUR: 22 March: Siamsa Tíre, Tralee 23 March: Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire 24 March: Glór, Ennis 26 March: Belltable, Limerick 29 March: Axis, Ballymun 30 March: Roscommon Arts Centre 31 March: Draíocht, Blanchardstown 1 April: Town Hall Theatre, Galway 2 April: Nenagh Arts Centre

UNITED KINGDOM TOUR: presented by house, Supported by Culture Ireland as part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme 5 Apr: Theatre Royal, Margate 6 Apr: Roxburgh Theatre, Stowe 7 Apr: Fisher Theatre, Bungay 8 Apr: Farnham Maltings 9 Apr: Phoenix Arts, Bordon 12 Apr: Leighton Buzzard Theatre 13 Apr: South Street, Reading 14 Apr: The Hat Factory, Luton 15 Apr: The Place, Bedford 16 Apr: The Oxford Playhouse, Oxford 18 Apr: Chipping Norton Theatre 20 Apr: Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth 21 Apr: The Point, Eastleigh 22 Apr: Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis 23 Apr: Bridport Arts Centre

26-30 Apr: Theatr Clwyd, Mold, Supported by Culture Ireland as part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme

AUSTRALIAN TOUR: presented by Merrigong, Supported by Culture Ireland as part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme 5-8 May: Illawarra Performing Centre, Wollongong 11-14 May: Street Theatre, Canberra 19 May: Mittagong Playhouse 21 May: Cessnock Arts Centre 24 May: Montrose Town Centre 25 May: The Memo, Healesville 27-29 May: Brisbane Powerhouse 31 May: Shoalhaven Arts Centre 2 June: Wagga Wagga Theatre 4 June: Mandurah Arts Centre

Fishamble is funded by The Arts Council and Dublin City Council. This production is supported Culture Ireland, as part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme.

Press information: Gerry Lundberg PR. 00353 1 679 8476 / 00353 86 2591070 / 00353 87 259 1070 [email protected]

PRESS ACCESS: Actors, director, and Company members are available for interview with regional and national press.

Hi-res production shots available on request.

BOX OFFICE INFORMATION:

One simple line to describe the performance? Two of Ireland’s leading actors play 30 characters with interspersed Swing dancing during a 60 minute romantic comedy, Swing is all about living as well as you can and ‘giving it a lash’…with rock ‘n’ roll music.

How long is the performance? 60 minutes, no interval

Are there lighting or strobe effects? No

What is the age recommendations? 12+

Is there any music or songs? Yes – the play features wonderful music by Glenn Miller, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Little Richard, Lionel Hampton, and Amos Milburn.

What does the set look like? There is no permanent set. The actors recreate their environment using two chairs only.

How many performers are there? Two performers playing 20 characters.

Staging? Traditional, end-on staging. The show is flexible.

Artist names & Company: Fishamble: The New Play Company www.fishamble.com

Cast: Arthur Riordan and Gene Rooney Writers: Steve Blount, Peter Daly, Gavin Kostick, and Janet Moran Director: Peter Daly

FULL 2016 TOUR SCHEDULE:

UNITED KINGDOM TOUR: 5 Apr: Theatre Royal, Margate 6 Apr: Roxburgh Theatre, Stowe 7 Apr: Fisher Theatre, Bungay 8 Apr: Farnham Maltings 9 Apr: Phoenix Arts, Bordon 12 Apr: Leighton Buzzard Theatre 13 Apr: South Street, Reading 14 Apr: The Hat Factory, Luton 15 Apr: The Place, Bedford 16 Apr: The Oxford Playhouse, Oxford 18 Apr: Chipping Norton Theatre 20 Apr: Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth 21 Apr: The Point, Eastleigh 22 Apr: Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis 23 Apr: Bridport Arts Centre 26-30 Apr: Theatr Clwyd, Mold

AUSTRALIAN TOUR: 5-8 May: Illawarra Performing Centre, Wollongong 11-14 May: Street Theatre, Canberra 19 May: Mittagong Playhouse 21 May: Cessnock Arts Centre 24 May: Montrose Town Centre 25 May: The Memo, Healesville 27-29 May: Brisbane Powerhouse 31 May: Shoalhaven Arts Centre 2 June: Wagga Wagga Theatre 4 June: Mandurah Arts Centre

Further information: www.fishamble.com Eva Scanlan, Producer: [email protected] +353 1 670 4018