The Life and Times of Percy French Presented in Song and Dance
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER - As part of CelticFest, the Irish production Gortnamona was presented at the Tom Lee Music Hall on Granville Street on March 18 and 19. Based on the life and times of the celebrated Irish writer Percy French and billed as “an Irish production not to be missed,”... it more than lived up to that billing!
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| THE TALENTED CAST of Gortnamona travelled from Calgary to present a play based on one of Ireland’s most talented writers. |
I attended the play on March 18 and, while I knew many of the songs by the famous songwriter such as The Mountains of Mourne, the one that most captivated me was Abdulla Bulbul Ameer. Many years ago, my father used to sing this song, but I never knew that it was written by Percy French.....I thought my father was making it up as he went along.
After the play I realized that I actually knew nothing of French’s life or of his many contributions to Irish music and literature. I suppose like many people who attended the play, we weren’t sure what to expect from Gortnamona.
What a surprise ....what an absolutely entertaining evening as we were taken through the life and times of Percy French. It was a unique experience through the narrations of co-producers, Frank Talbot and Anne Cowman and a professional cast of actors.
I suppose you could describe the play as a book, with each song the beginning of a new chapter. The audience was captivated as they awaited each new chapter. At the end of the play, we had a new understanding and appreciation for the many talents of Percy French. We loved the man for who he was and the rich heritage that he produced in his lifetime.
Gortnamona is entertainment suitable for the whole family. It’s a lively and heart-warming production with narrations, music, dancing and laughter. As with any life, there are ups and downs and we experienced those in Percy French’s life.
We felt the deep pangs of sorrow at the death of his first wife in childbirth and then of his first born child. But we also roared with laughter at French’s humorous, tongue in cheek song, Are Ye Right There Michael? written about the Clare Railway Company. French earned a lawsuit for embarrassing the company with the song, but it was later thrown out of court by the judge when French explained the reason that he was late for his court date was that he had taken the Clare Railway.
Full credit to Frank and Anne who had the talent, the energy and the foresight to produce this exceptional play and also for the unique and talented cast that they assembled to play each part so superbly.
The cast: Barney Toye who played the judge (he also helped to build the authentic set for the play); Moira Talbot is a singer and she is also Frank’s wife; Martin Cowman is the past-president of the Irish Cultural Society Calgary; Terry Kent is a tenor who did a fabulous job singing some of French’s most celebrated songs; Jim Hutchens is from Scotland and he played Phil the Fluter; his wife, Maureen who is also a singer comes from Newcastle, County Down; and Brigid O’Shea, from County Clare, played several small parts throughout the play.
One part that Brigid O'Shea played was that of an Irish dancer and at the risk of taking anything away from either Riverdance or Lord of the Dance and the heightened awareness it has generated around the world for Irish dancing, this was the genuine article.
We have all become so accustomed to the choreographed-type of Irish dancing with the over the top ringlets, tiaras and overly embellished dresses, it was refreshing to see Brigid dancing in a plain skirt, blouse and shawl. The old-style of Irish dancing that you might have been seen at the crossroads or a house party long ago.
My advice: If you don't see another Irish play this year, give your heart and soul a tonic and see Gortnamona. I guarantee you'll be humming the songs for days after.
For more information about Gortnamona and booking the show into your area, call Frank Talbot at (403) 272-8917. [Watch the next issue of The Celtic Connection for an in-depth interview with Frank Talbot.]
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