Philadelphia, Here I Come! VIDEO SHOOT

On Saturday last, we shot some great footage, and stills as promos for the production Philadelphia, Here I Come! I have uploaded the video that is due to go out on TV3 from the 6th October. Needless to say this is a much compressed version for web, but you get the idea. A big thanks to all involved, Marty Rea, Sean Stewart, Alan Stanford, Anthony Woods, Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde, Leonore McDonagh, Val Sherlock, Conleth Teevan, and Michael Church from Cabinteely House. Have a look at it here and let us know what you think..Will be posting the stills from the day and some pics from rehearsals soon, so do check back!

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2008 Funding & Touring

Philadelphia Here I Come and its associated tour has only been made possible through assistance from the Arts Councils touring Experiment. The Touring Experiment is an action research project which will support, observe, and work in partnership with a number of artists, producers, companies, venues and venue networks over the course of two years. The Touring Experiment will then present recommendations which will be presented to the Arts Council in early 2008.However it is not expected that the Arts Council will be in a position to implement a support mechanism for further touring within 2008. This in our view will have very serious repercussions on the companies programming for 2008 and the momentum and progress made by the company in 2007 will be undermined through what will be effectively a cut in funding to Second Age in 2008.

Although the tour funding for 2007 are directly linked to the production of Philadelphia they aid resources for the company by freeing up other funds.

Put simply this further investment of €75,000 has
generated

• €260,000 box office.
  
• An additional 15,000 young audience members nationally.
  
• Employment for 25 artists over a 3 month contract period.
  
• Provided the company with a year round programme.

If this kind of funding cannot be continued into 2008,

• 15,000 young people will be denied access to quality curriculum drama.
  
• 300 Artists job weeks will disappear
  
• €260,000 Box Office revenue will be lost to the arts community.
  
• Second Age will lose its permanent full time staff
  
• Second Age will lose momentum and the efficient working practices that that generates.

We are asking that should our audience wish to help Second Age continue with its programme in 2008 that they assist us in lobbying for

• a bridging touring grant to be implemented in early 2008 and
  
• increased overall funding from government to the arts council.

We suggest that this lobby should be directed to:
Seamus Brennan Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, and
Mary Cloake, Director Arts Council of Ireland.

I shall add a more detailed list at a later stage of where we should be directing our lobby to. If you would like to comment on this please use the comment button below and we will publish your views and forward them on your behalf.

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Philadelphia - Many Shows BOOKED OUT

Second Age opened it's Box Office to group bookings in Early May of this year. Due to overwhelming demand for the production Second Age has added two extra weeks to the run. Extra dates were added between 30th October and the 3rd November at the Helix, and an extra week was added from 27th November to the 1st December at the Pavilion Theatre Dún Laoghaire. Despite this extra availability, demand has still outweighed the capacity. Second Age is currently running a waiting list, and every effort is being made to accommodate our audience and their request for seats. If you would like your name to be added to our waiting list please call our box office on 01 679 8542.

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Cast & Crew list announced for Philadelphia!

Second Age is delighted to announce its full cast and crew list for its forthcoming production Philadelphia Here I Come

• Gar Private:Marty Rae (currently playing at the Abbey in the Big House)
• Gar Public: Sean Stewart
• SB O'Donnell: Walter McMonagle(who also played this role in Adrian Dunbars production of Philadelphia Here I Come)
• Madge:Áine Ní Mhuirí (also known to many as Lily from Fair City and more recently as Kathleen Hendley in Ballykissangel)
• Master Boyle: Enda Oates (a regular with Second Age; played Macduff in our last production of Macbeth)
• Lizzy Sweeney: Joan Sheehy (known to many as Nancy from Ros na Rún)
• Ben Burton: Dan Reardon (currently in Bedrocks production of Roberto Zucco)
• Senator Doogan: David Heap
• Canon Mick O'Byrne: John Olohan (also a regular with Second Age)
• Kate Doogan: Dearbhla McGuinness (a recent graduate of Trinity College)
• Con Sweeney: Donncha Crowley
• Ned: Conan Sweeny (who also played the role in Adrian Dunbars production of this play a couple of years ago)
• Tom: Roger Thomson
• Joe: Andrew Adamson

The production will be directed by Alan Stanford, designed by Eileen Diss (a multi-Bafta Award winning designer), Costumes by Leonore McDonagh and Lighting design by Sinéad McKenna.

Other production staff include: Mick Byrne, Maeve Nic Samhradáin, Yvonne Carry, Aaron Dempsey, Marella Boschi, Linda Keating, Alex McCullagh, Beth King and more...

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