Kelly-Ann Whelan On Making Brownbread.

Firstly, I would like to say how honoured I was to be asked to Direct “BrownBread”, I have helped out in previous shows that Sparks Productions have put on stage and I had really enjoyed it so to be asked to direct this show was a huge opportunity for me and I am very grateful.

Directing “BrownBread” has so far been very enjoyable, exciting and tough at times. I have to commend each and every member of the cast as they really work so hard every week in making sure that this production will be the biggest and best yet! We have great laughs but work very hard at the same time and now in the build-up to the opening night we are working even harder. People tend to forget that we all have lives outside this and so people need to give this cast what they deserve which is huge credit. They have made my job very easy and are all great people to work with.

In the beginning I was very relaxed about the whole thing as I have no experience in directing so was unsure what the job actually entailed but after a few wise words from Mr Adrian Kavanagh I was not long about getting into action.

When this show is over, I can truly say I will miss all the cast and the “craic” we had up in the freezing cold tigeen over the past six weeks. But one thing is for sure with such a great cast and production team this play will not be forgotten in a hurry. It has been a great adventure for both me and I’m sure for the cast too and I hope that people can see the hard work and effort that has gone into it.So as the Director of “BrownBread” I hope to see each and every one of you at this great production. It would be a sin to miss it! Whaaa!!!!Thank YouKelly-Ann Whelan

Brownbread by Roddy Doyle runs in the Abbey Hall Graiguenamanagh December 12th to 15th for four nights,Wednesday to Saturday.

Tickets are 7 Euro and can be booked on 087-9439979.

Doors 7:30 Show 8:00.

Note: Strong Language Used Throughout.

Back To The Abbey Hall.

We'll be honest,it's been an absolutely hectic week for Spark Productions. We're less than three weeks to hitting the stage and Brownbread is really starting to warm up...Cheers to Stereotype.ie for that one and that lovely piece on the upcoming production.

Today is the first day that we hit the stage to rehearse the show. It's going to be long and tedious but it has to be done to get the show the way we want it.
It's no lie when we say that this will be our biggest production yet and we want to make to most of it. When you have a name like Roddy Doyle on the poster we don't want to throw out any ole performance, with this we really want to impress and we must say that since our last show...Bittersweet Graffiti, we have learned a lot.

We want to improve upon where we felt we slipped up on with Bittersweet Graffiti. Details such as lighting & sound, and we can unsure you, we got our hands on a rig of lights during the week with enough power that it will make Las Vegas look like a joke.

When dealing with a production as big as this it can be very easy to slip under the weight of it all, but it's nice to be able to say we have it all in order, but the next two weeks will be full on.

A wise man once told us that directing is 90% casting and from this show we have really learned what that means.

The cast have been amazing,hard-working, dedicated and completely professional. The same can also be said for the crew. 

About three months of work has gone in to this show, from the rehearsal stage of production and when your unable to pay people and your asking to take up there free time it can be hard, but you still need enthusiasm and a hard work ethic and by god these lads have by the barrel full.

As we said it's now time to make our way back to the Abbey Hall, but this time we're ready.

Brownbread by Roddy Doyle runs in the Abbey Hall December 12th to 15th.

Tickets 7 euro. Ticket Bookings. 087-9439979.

Doors, 7:30. Show, 8:00.

Note: Strong Language Used Throughout.

Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spark-Productions/316095895080502

Or on The Twitter @sparkstheatre

What Is 'Brownbread'?

We are now six weeks off to the show opening in the Abbey Hall stage,December 12th to 15th and with that we decided we should talk a little about our cast and what the show is all about.

'Brownbread' was first produced by Passion Machine Theatre Company in 1987, featuring Brendan Gleeson.

The play is set in Barrytown in the upstairs bedroom of a corporation house. Three unemployed young fella's Ao, Donkey and Johnner have been off playing golf in their local field. While playing golf the ball gets lost and the boys stumble across a gun...and this is when the wildness begins.

With no Derek & Thelma or Block busters on the telly, the boys decide the best thing to do with the gun is kidnap a bishop and keep him hostage, the business wha?

With the bishop held hostage this is the best idea the boys have ever had but they may just be in more trouble than they realize. With the guards, the army and Mr.Farrell arriving to get the boys and the bishop out of the house in one piece and most importantly alive.

Without...as it said's in the script 'getting themselves in to some serious shit'.

The boys ain't going down without a fight though and don't intend to give the bishop up that easy.

The boys are packing heat and they mean business, this is one day Barrytown is never going to forget.

Starring James Kilbride, Thomas Drennan, Adrian Kavanagh, David Behan, Mark Bolger, Jim Kielty, Jackie Douglas, Edel Bolger, Eoin MacNamara & Paul Hickey as the Bishop.

'Brownbread' is Directed by Kelly-Ann Whelan.

Running December 12th to 15th in The Abbey Hall Graiguenamanagh Co.Kilkenny.

Tickets 7 Euro. Ticket Bookings 087-9439979

Doors 7:30 Show 8:00

Warning: Strong Language Used Throughout.

The Director Who's Making 'Brownbread'.

With rehearsals in full swing and we are now just about six weeks off from 'Brownbread' hitting the stage it's about time we talked about who is directing 'Brownbread'.

When it comes to directing a show,especially something as big as this, which we can say, will be our biggest production to date, we needed someone who would really grab the bull by the horns and hold nothing back...and by god we have that person.

Ladies and Gentlemen allow us to introduce to you Miss Kelly-Ann Whelan. Look at her there, all dickie bowed up and having the crack.

Kelly-Ann is someone in particular we have wanted to work with for a long time,since we started really. And we are absolutely delighted to have her on board.

She hasn't been seen on stage since Duiske College did there famous variety show back in 2008 where she played Sister Theresa in the schools version of Sister Act...she was amazing.

Although she won't be on stage,we hope to change all that next year, but that's for another day.

When it comes to putting a production together, it's important for each individual not to take too much on, otherwise your production can falter. Bringing a show together, is a team effort, with each person's role playing a vital part. 

This is one of the most important lessons Spark Productions has learned over the year. Never be afraid to trust someone with a role, no matter how big or small. Learning this has proved successful for us, seeing that with a team effort and everyone working to their best ability will give better results and also help ease the stress of trying to make it a success. We can see already from this production how much easier it has been to bring the whole thing together without one person taken on too much, and everyone has stepped up to the plate.

Saying that it also needs a leader. And Kelly-Ann is just that person.

From November things are really going to heat up in the office and as we have said before we are holding no prisoners with this show. 

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Spark Productions Are 'BrownBread',

It was in the early hours of Friday the 19th that we announced our new show.

A comedy by Roddy Doyle called 'Brownbread'.

For the past few weeks we have been quietly working away like little elves on this production and we are delighted that it has been finally announced.

But what is 'Brownbread'? 

Other than a nutritional food, it is also Dublin Slang meaning Screwed.

As usual we are not going to say much. But we will say a few things. 

This production sees Spark Productions being shaken up a bit. With previous 'Sparks' who have worked on our past two show's gone in to there last year of college, there is a whole new ensemble team for this show.

We are delighted to have a new director on board. Someone that we have wanted to work with for a long time. But we will save her for another blog.

'Brownbread' was read around the time 'BitterSweet Graffiti' was coming to it's end and we knew instantly it was to be our next show.

Having sold out two show's with an unknown writer we are now keen to see what a writer with name value can do for us.

We are also delighted to say with all our hearts that this is no f****** love story.

With this one we are packing heat and we mean business.

Like the Van,The Commitments and the Snapper, 'Brownbread' is set in the fictional 'Barrytown' in Dublin. And we are delighted to have arrived there.

We also have a few surprises casting wise that you won't have expected but like the director we will save that for another blog.

We are fiercely excited about this production and we can promise you, you won't regret coming to this show.

But For now we will leave you with our teaser poster.

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Home Away From Home.

It's been quite some time since we've posted anything on the old blog and it's about time we changed that. It's been quite the busy past few months for all the 'Sparks'.

Some went away travelling and some came back.Some went off and worked in other shows and some spent their time driving around in cars howling at people.

But work is set to kick back in.

With this latest blog we would like to announce that we finally have a home to call our own.

The Tigeen.

Look at her there a great bunch of stone.

The tigeen as it is known in Graiguenmanagh is now our new home. We were giving the keys to the city as it were during the week and we are delighted,also handy enough it is right beside Abbey Hall, where we staged 'Bittersweet Graffiti' in April.

The Tigeen before us was used as a rehearsal area for the great Graiguenamanagh Brass Band and now it belongs to us. Their was even a kettle and some mugs left for us when we arrived.

It's great to finally have a place to rehearse, have meetings and generally somewhere we can go without having to worry about intruding on someone else's property.

We would like to especially thank Derry Gahan who helped us with this and at the same time Alison Allan who have been solid supporters since we started last year.

As for Spark Productions itself, the company is really looking forward to getting back in to action and this space is going to be used a lot over the coming months, but we will have more news on that later.

For now all we can say is watch this space,we may just have a few surprises to come.

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Come To The 'Spark' Side.

In a couple of months 'Spark Productions' will have been going for one year.

It's mad to think that,but what a year it has been.Two show's,a lot of phone calls,a lot of late nights and diet coke by the barrel full.

From 'Tully's' to the 'Boathouse' it's been an amazing few months, and as we make plans for the coming months and for the coming year, the 'Sparks' are on the lookout.

We are on the look out for people aged 15 and up to join the 'Spark Production's' team.

We are looking for people who are talented,enthusiastic,can work as part of a team and who are up for a lot of banter.If you think your this type of person,then you may just have a place here with us.

We are looking for people interested in all aspect's of theatre form the crew up to the cast.

We want writer's,actors,director's,light and sound producer's and people who would just like to lend a hand during our production's.

How do you get involved?Simple all you have to do is email us here at sparkstheatre@hotmail.com, with some details about yourself,who you are and such and what part your interested in!It's that simple,we would also appreciate a c/v and a headshot if available,but other than that,just email us!

If you feel you have what it takes,then send us an email and who know's you could be joining the 'Spark Production's' team in the coming months.

Best of Luck!

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