Light up Greystones
Christmas 2020
Events
This course gives an overview of the main artistic movements that occurred throughout Europe between 1400 and 2000 that not only defined how art was produced but provided the lasting imagery behind Europe’s most influential rulers – royal, religious and republican – as well as the philosophies upon which their rule depended. These movements also recall the changes in social mores that were necessary for societies to endure and provided the mechanism through which the technological advances of each age were manifested and proclaimed. Their evolving styles and ever- changing subject matter provided a visual record of each nation’s cultural aspirations ensuring the survival of these images as important social documents in their own right. Importantly these movements chart the long and challenging journeys that were undergone by various groups of artists throughout the past 600 years of art history, whereby the cold place generally occupied by anonymous medieval craftsmen was replaced by a hotbed of renowned celebrity artists which ensured their fame and longevity would long outlive them in today’s modern world. Week 1 – The Story of the Renaissance – Magnificence and Display in Italy Week 2 – Painting the Ordinary and the Everyday of the Dutch Golden Age. Week 3 – Revealing Facades – A glimpse behind the Royal Heads of England, France and Spain. Week 4 –Revolutions! Art and Society in 19th century France. Week 5 –Modernism – how America finally overcame Europe Week 6 – The Paintings that Rocked the World and Changed Art Rosemarie Devereux is a freelance art historian from Greystones. She recently attended UCD as a mature student from where she graduated with a BA Hons in Irish Studies and Art History and a Masters in ‘Irish Visual Culture 1885-1915’. After graduating she become a volunteer in the NGI and published two articles in the Irish Arts Review. Between 2017 and 2019 she was the facilitator for the Irish Studies in Painting module for 2nd Year Art History students in UCD. Since late 2018 up to March 2020 she ran a series of private Irish art history courses in the National Gallery as well as a course on Irish Art and History in the Whale Theatre. She has recently been accepted onto the tour guide panel of the National Gallery. This autumn she will be giving a new course on European art history to be held in the Whale Theatre as well as a repeat of last year’s Irish art history course. Both are due to begin in October 2020. Welcome back to The Whale Theatre! After a long interval of almost 6 months, we’re thrilled to be back for the “Second Act” and we can’t wait to see you all again! Things will be a bit different, so please read our “Second Act Charter” in full before booking your tickets and check it again before attending a show. This is a socially distanced performance which adheres to current Covid-19 guidelines. There will be a maximum of 40 tickets available and new policies and procedures will be in place at the theatre. If you have any questions, please email ask@whaletheatre.ie. Music Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Choreography Yuri Grigorovich Libretto Yuri Grigorovich (after E.T.A. Hoffmann and Marius Petipa) Cast Margarita Shrainer (Marie), Semyon Chudin (The Nutcracker), Denis Savin (Drosselmeyer), Alexandre Vodopetov (The Mouse King), and the Bolshoi Corps de ballet Synopsis On Christmas Eve, Marie receives a nutcracker doll as a gift. In her dreams, the toy turns into a courageous and charming prince, who takes the girl on an unforgettable adventure. About the ballet This eternal holiday classic is the Bolshoi’s ode to wonder and imagination. Audiences of all ages will be carried away on an enchanting journey of their dreams with young Marie and her Prince through a whirlwind of snowflakes, an intense battle against a Mouse King, and finally, a kingdom of delights on the Bolshoi’s majestic stage. String Serenade – a celebration of local talent Join the young string students of the Bray Music Centre plus special guests the Belenus string quartet for an evening of chamber music inspired by all things nocturnal in the wonderful setting of the Whale theatre. The title ‘String Serenade’ is borrowed from a multi-movement piece of music that was popular as light occasional music, usually as part of an evening social gathering, in 18th century Europe. Enjoy a wide range of music from arrangements of Mozart’s famous Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (one little night music)and wind divertimenti for string ensemble to solo performances of classical favourites from our senior string students at the Bray music centre. Also on the bill, the Belenus string quartet will perform Borodin’s string quartet no. 2 in D major, with the famous 2nd movement Notturno. This young ensemble, who recently released a Christmas song with singer Hannah May under the alias No Strings Attached, are respected musicians in their own right and have been playing together since July 2019. This concert marks their first major public outing as an ensemble. Meteor & Tatler Award winner Luan Parle has had numerous hits & accolades including Meteor Award for Best Irish Female. Her top 10 hit single ‘Ghost’ spent three months in the Irish Charts and was the most played Irish single of that year. Parle signed her first record deal at just 12 years of age before later signing with Sony Music & Elton John’s management company Twenty First Artists. Luan has written and recorded with some of the worlds most successful songwriters & producers including Grammy award winning Bill Bottrell (Sheryl Crow, Michael Jackson, Prince, Travelling Wilburys, Elton John) & Billy Steinberg (Madonna, Roy Orbison, Cyndi Lauper, The Pretenders, Whitney Houston, The Bangles, Celine Dion). Luan will be playing songs from her new album which will be released February 7th 2020. The album features 10 original tracks including two co-writes with Dire Straits guitarist Hal Lindes. This will be the fourth album release from the Wicklow born songstress. She will be accompanied by renowned guitarist Clive Barnes. “Luan Parle is quite simply one of the most exciting singers to emerge from Ireland, or any other country for that matter! She is a superb song smith as well” The Herald Dec 3 Thu 2020 
Dec 20 Sun 2020 
Feb 7 Sun 2021 
Feb 27 Sat 2021 
