Home is where the art is!

A THEATRICAL chemical reaction will take place all across Dublin 15 this Saturday (October 6) when 30 homes are transformed into pop-up theatres.

The homes will host 90 performances at exactly the same time, as Dublin 15 arts centre Draíocht brings theatre right into local living rooms.

Brand new bespoke pieces of theatre, inspired by the home host and written by a professional writer, will be performed in the homes to an invited audience of family and friends.

Draíocht’s mini-theatres will shift in size as audience capacities vary from 5 to 25 per show, depending on the home in question.

The pieces are all inspired by the life and conversations of the hosts and will be performed in each home at 5pm, 7pm and 9pm to three different sets of guests meaning hundreds will join in the unique experience.

Draíocht is sending out ambassadors to each of the 30 homes who’ll help prepare the pop-up theatre for guests and introduce the performance just like in a real theatre.

It’s all part of the Home Theatre (Ireland) initiative that’s aimed at bringing people together from all walks of life and giving them access to amazing artistic experiences.

Draíocht director, Emer McGowan, says the project democratises theatre by bringing it into people’s homes.

“We wanted all areas of Dublin 15 involved and have worked hard to ensure they represent the diversity of our community,” she added.

“Our 30 hosts range in age from 10 years to 85 years of age.

“They include those who have always lived here and people who are new to here.

“We have people who live in apartments, duplexes, houses of various sizes as well as other types of homes including care homes, Coolmine Therapeutic Community and Ashleigh House, local drug rehabilitation centres.

“Our hosts live in Avondale, Blakestown, Corduff, Clonsilla, Carpenterstown, Castleknock, Huntstown, Hansfield, Porterstown, Phibblestown, Mulhuddart, Ongar, Sheepmore, Tyrellstown, Whitestown and Waterville, to name just a few areas! 

“We wanted this project to go across all kinds of divides – socio-economic, gender, cultural backgrounds.

“Our hosts are Irish, Nigerian, Spanish, South African, Turkish, Serbian, Czech and Indian.

“They all live in Dublin 15 and we are so excited that they are sharing with us a snapshot of their lives and grateful to them for letting us into their homes. “

McGowan believes the project is a real partnership between playwrights, theatre makers and the public.

“The thing that I love about it is that we are asking people to work with us and invite us into their homes, which is an amazing thing,” she continued.

“Someone inviting you into their home is a really special thing and in return for their generosity and allowing us into their life, we are going to give them a gift – a piece of theatre that is going to be inspired by them.

“We are going out to say art can happen everywhere and be inspired by anyone. Everyone can own this.”

Home Theatre (Ireland) at Draíocht is led by Artistic Director, Veronica Coburn, who worked with the Dublin 15 arts centre on the three-year project, ‘Hallelujah! Draíocht’s Community Clown Choir’ from 2013 to 2015.

"Home Theatre (Ireland) is such a fantastic project,” she said.

“It is the living, breathing embodiment of the art politics that I am passionate about.  Accessibility.  Inclusiveness.  Integrity. 

“Artistic excellence, where excellence is defined as everyone involved doing what they should be doing, to the best of their ability whether that is being themselves or seeking inspiration to write and perform a new piece of work. 

“Home Theatre (Ireland) is a collective leap of faith.  It is a thrilling adventure for artist and host alike.  Over a period of two weeks 47 artists will descend on Dublin 15 and walk through doors that are flung open wide to possibility. 

“The sound of a multitude of getting to know you conversations, you know the ones, full of anticipation and first impressions, wide smiles and nervous laughter, stolen glimpses and unexpected fertile ground, will reverberate across the region. 

“And from these conversations, roots will grow that will bear fruit, the first crop on Saturday, October 6, with unknown yields for all involved, hosts, artists, and the wider community for years to come.  It is a joy to work on a project like this."