GIAF presents An Fear Liath / The Grey Man with An Taibhdhearc

As part of Galway International Arts Festival, Fíbín sa Taibhdearc presents the world premiere of An Fear Liath which is of great artistic and cultural relevance that connects Galicia and Ireland, our Atlantic culture, our mythology, and the common drama that runs through our history: the missing people on the sea. Discover more here...

Fíbín sa Taibhdhearc in association Galician National Theatre/ Centro Dramático Galego, and Tryater [Friesland] presents.. An Fear Liath. Written by Philip Doherty, and adapted and directed by Fran Núnez.

Showing as part of GIAF, on 25-27th July, at 10pm in the Claddagh Basin. Tickets available at the link HERE. English Subtitles are available for shows on the 26th and 27th only. 

A fishing village is rocked by the inexplicable disappearance of a family-owned trawler at sea. Joan, the eldest daughter, returns home but gets caught up in a web of deceit, superstition, and murder.

The sea that gives us life, the sea that takes it away. As in all cultures there is a myth, a legend, that the sea demands tribute for everything it gives us. A payment we make in flesh, in lives, in bodies that disappear, in empty coffins.

Fíbín sa Taibhdhearc follow on from their acclaimed outdoor productions of Muc Rí and Cogadh na Saoirse with a dazzling late night premiere of Philip Doherty’s new play, directed by Fran Núnez, the artistic director of the National Galician Theatre, and in partnership with the minority language theatre network, Phōnē.

A late night open air spectacle on the pier with deep woven allusions to Irish mythology and Greek tragedy; a story that walks between two worlds, this world and the next. A story giving voice to a country unmoored by grudges, thwarted dreams, and self-medication.

An Fear Liath was born from the collaboration between Fíbín sa Taibhdhearc, Centro Dramático Galego and the Fryske Toanielstifting Tryater from the Netherlands for the Galway International Arts Festival within the framework of the European project Phōnē – Giving Minority Languages a Voice. Phōnē – Giving Minority Languages a Voice is a project to safeguard and promote cultural and linguistic diversity in Europe. It is the first ever major international collaboration between theatres working for minority languages. Fíbín sa Taibhdhearc will host the 5th International Theatre Night of Phōnē with two partners coming from Galicia (ES) and Friesland (NL). In one night you will hear the sound of three minoritized languages on stage. Three directors will work together for the first time, sharing experiences and artistic ideas.

Artwork by Engin Akyurt, courtesy of An Taibhdhearc