Eire

New theatre school’s off with a bang

Tri Ec PLA
THE THE

ON THE stage at Pres-
entation House a tug of war
is going on.

By STEPHEN BARRINGTON

News Reporter

Two tractors each battle for an
edge that will allow it to win the
contest. Between them is a rope,
drawn taut by opposing forces.

But the tractors are not standard
farm machines, ther are actors —
one male and one iemale actor
performing in the Presentation
House Film and Theatre School's
production of The Farm Show, a
collage of song, dance and
monologue described as ‘a bit of
everything.’

“It sounds crazy and the au-
dience loves it,’? explains artistic
director Catherine Caines, who
runs the school with husband An-
tony Holland. ‘‘At the end we turn
up the lights and ihe audience has
to decide who has won.’*

From its beginning in
September, 1986, the school now
has 26 first and second-year stu-
dents as well as a performing
company. ‘It was a phenomenal
response,’ says the 40-year-old

Remember

Caines. ft just took of f."

The school is divided into three
categories, first year, second year
and a third year — when gradu-
ated students gain practical experi-
ence in the company.

All of the students put in long
hours, often up to 12 hours a day.

“Antony and myself, we believe
in total immersion.”’ she says.

With a pace of three shows a
term — one show a month — the
company seldom has a break be-
tween the live shows and rehearsals
for the next month’s production.

“They might open one show on
Wednesday night and then on
Thursday they go and read on the
next (production),"” she explains.
“That's total immersion.**

Through this constant stream of
rehearsals and performances, the
players have a showcase for their
newly developed skills. It is an ap-
prenticeship that serves as a spr-
ingboard into the world of theatre,
film and television.

But the senior students get few
special favors — Caines and
Holland do their best to eliminate
the hierarchy that can often

See Play
Page 26

starting out ?

Frozen blue jeans — soaking wet in the

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25 - Friday, November 28,

Taste
the
South

PAGE 26

NEWS photo Terry Peters

DIRECTOR OF Presentation House Film and Theatre School Antony Holland, left, goes
over the script of the Farm Show with actors Cavan Cunningham, Timothy Healy and
Kieron Donovan. This is the second show of the season by the school’s students. The first
wes Sisterly Feeling, which was well received. The Farm Show is a collage of song, dance
and monologue.

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