An Explosion Of Digital Art

In a new form of media, Tallaght-based Freshly Ground Theatre presented ‘This is a Blank Page’ in efforts to discuss improvements for the Leaving Cert system, by London Brazal.

In collaboration with an ensemble of young artists, Freshly Ground Theatre created a remote online piece that is experienced through a website platform and consists of a radio play, film and workshop.

‘This is a Blank Page’ takes the opinions of a group of students sitting the Leaving Certificate through workshops and interviews in school settings. Various mediums were used while the audience had a chance to listen and respond, aiming to creatively answer the question: Does the Leaving Cert system need to change, and why?

As there were heavy restrictions on theatre companies due to the pandemic, the Freshly Ground Theatre made a difficult transition from live theatre to film to adhere to the limitations. In a safe way, the group was able to meet and the devising, rehearsal and filming took over two months for the project. During the summer, they were able to work in the Civic with the help of their team in the theatre.

Some of the cast at rehersals
Photo by Vlad Gurdis

Line Producer Sophie Coote commented: “We had a great experience at the public shows. Our audiences on Zoom really engaged with the piece and offered so many of their own experiences and opinions on how to reform the system. We loved chatting with our audiences after the show and keeping the conversation going on social media.

“We really appreciated that people experienced the anxiety, nostalgia and memories of the leaving cert that we were trying to evoke in the piece. Many people found it very frustrating that there has been so little change in the leaving cert from the time that they sat it many years ago,” she continued.

The theatre company is currently developing a new piece, Sióg, for the Civic’s Ready Steady Show! Festival which will be an outdoor spectacle performance blending new technology with live actors for young audiences and families.

They have recently been awarded the Tik Tok x Saint Patrick’s Festival Community Fund to create a new outdoor sound walk with the community focusing on the story of Tír na nÓg.

Freshly Ground Theatre is a Tallaght-based theatre company that creates work that is responsive, engaging and entertaining, with the community at its heart.

For more information see @freshlygroundtheatre on Facebook.