There is a superstition among theatre lovers that if “Macbeth” is spoken aloud inside a theatre then bad luck is to follow. Instead of “Macbeth” maybe this superstition should be changed to names of streaming services.
Theatre since the earliest days of 5 BC has been a vital part of how humans have been entertained. Yet this was before Netflix, Disney+ or TikTok.
Now entertainment is accessible with a simple scroll while relaxing solitarily on the couch. With this new way of life where does it leave theatre productions?
Not all theatre productions live in such disarray. In fact, Galway’s own Druid Theatre company have much hope for the lifespan of live performances.
Druid is a travelling theatre company found in the heart of Galway at the Mick Lalley Theatre. It was founded in 1975 by Garry Hynes, Marie Mullen (who were both students at University of Galway and DramaSoc members) and teacher Mick Lally.
Newly interim manager of marketing and communications for Druid, Mary McGraw said;
“There is a massive saturation. We are reaching this kind of crux where what we are really yearning is community. That feeling of being in a live theatre watching people in front of you being emotive and telling stories. It is something that cannot be translated on a digital format and that is the magic of live theatre.”
CEO of the Druid Maureen Kennelly shared how important it is,
“Making sure the quality is still excellent. The sensation of watching something live is pretty phenomenal. It is incomparable. People of any age can recognise it is absolutely unique. There has always been a thread through society, will people still want to go attend live performances, but it has always survived which is fantastic. We have found that our audiences have returned in higher numbers since COVID.”
Part of the issue with media nowadays is that it has become a solitary activity to be consumed alone. In comparison theatre has become a place of community. This has become a focal point that Druid focus on.
“It is a safe space for people. That sociability thing. We thought very carefully about the foyer and how you set it up so that it is a very inviting space where people feel they can come early and hang around and stay afterwards. It is a super, super important part,” Maureen said.
The generation that has grown up with Druid know the beloved theatre company well and have become staple theatre goers. Now the issue has become getting younger people interested in this form of entertainment. With attention spans going the way they are, it will be no easy task. Maureen and Mary offer advice to young people who may want to try dipping their toe into the world of live performances.
“Try something unexpected. Stretch yourself. Not to be intimidated by it. I can understand why people could be intimidated by it because people might feel they don’t have the language for it or it can seem obtuse at times but not to be afraid of it. There is so many insights to it [theatre]. It is that thing of sitting in a darkened space with a community of people alongside you, you cannot replicate it elsewhere,” said Maureen.
“Even with the Mick Lalley theatre, it shows druid plays but also other events on throughout the year. It is a great opportunity for young people as an entry point to either take part in a Trad Rave or go see Riders to the Sea or Macbeth. It is a very multifaceted space that is in the heart of Galway that is accessible to students,” added Mary.
Maureen ended saying that theatre “is going nowhere!”
She also kindly shared a letter that had been sent to her by a secondary school English teacher.
It said, “Thank you for the love of theatre you are giving to generations of theatre lovers. We are all enriched by Druid.”
There is no curse that needs to be lifted. There is no need to leave theatre spin around three times spit on the ground, curse and asked to be let back in.
Druid has proved that everyone is welcome, it is us who need to put ourselves out there again to experience the joys of live theatre.
