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'Hell for Leather'
Hell For Leather is an exhibition of the cultural traditions particular to Clare: step dancing, figure dancing, set dancing, song and music. This show portrays the development of the various set dancing styles.
Question & Answer Session with John Fennell, Presenter, "Hell for Leather".
Q.I: What is "Hell for Leather"?
A. "Hell for Leather" is a predominantly set dancing show put together to display the different styles and techniques of set dancing, it also incorporates Irish dance, sean nós dance, figure dance, brush dancing, singing, music and storytelling from West Clare.
Q. 2: How did it start?
A. It grew out of an idea to open up a class especially for teenagers as they had little to do in way of entertainment and culture. From there I taught each class a six to seven minute piece, which we worked very hard at. That gave us a focus and in March of 2004 I put three groups from Lissycasey, Cree and Quilty together to see how each piece had turned out. To my amazement it actually looked good and the idea of building it into a show was born.
Q. 3: How many did you have?
A. At the time, between the three classes I had about seventy teenagers, so I added a few more and by the time we did the first shows the cast had grown to one hundred and sixteen.
Q. 4: How did you deal with that amount of kids?
A. At times it was not easy but there is great credit due to each and every member of our cast. I just lay down the rules and they followed them, if not then we would part company. I must add that the crew behind the show and especially my wife Grainne gave tremendous support and help with the organisation of the whole thing.
Q. 5: So how did your first shows go?
A. Well we went to Glór cultural centre in Ennis, in September last and did three main shows and two matinees and I am glad to say that all five shows sold out a full month in advance. It was extremely nerve wracking for both the cast, crew and myself, but the buzz that everybody got from it was unreal. Everyone seemed to step up to the mark and beyond it and the audience both young and old totally enjoyed it, so much so that we had to go back at Christmas and do two more shows.
Q. 6: Why was it such a success?
A. I think it was a success for many reasons:
1. Nobody knew a show could be created from set dancing or what to expect.
2. The manner in which everyone performed left both the crew and audience spellbound.
3. Teenagers get so much negative publicity nowadays that it was hard for people to comprehend that they could actually be so focused, disciplined, and professional about something so simple as dancing.
4. The energy and enjoyment that the dancers portrayed on stage will be long remembered off stage when "Hell for Leather" is resigned to the history books.
Q. 7: How many are now in the show?
A. Well we brought in extras for the Christmas shows, which I think created a record at Glór. We had one hundred and eighty dancers on stage for the finales to the shows and it was some sight. Due to exams, the Easter shows are down to about one hundred and sixty four, I'm not too sure because every day at rehearsals there seems to be more.
Q. 8: What have you done for the Easter shows?
A. I have written a new show, which will be performed mainly by the teenage cast with only three adult singers involved. The kids have proved that they are capable of running this show on their own, so I'm going to give them that opportunity. I have withdrawn all adult participation on the dancing side of things and going by last Saturday's dress rehearsals it's shaping up to being the best show yet.
Q. 9: So where to after Glór?
A. Well promoters, media and TV have being contacted to come and watch the Easter shows and after that we hope to do the first leg of an Irish tour which will incorporate Kerry, Cork, Limerick and Galway. From there we go to England on November 24th to 29th and do shows in South London, North London, Birmingham and Manchester. Then after Christmas 2005 - 2006 we will do second leg of Irish tour taking in Waterford, Dublin, Derry, and Mayo and later that year in the summer of 2006 we will tour America.
Q. 10: So you realised your dream?
A. Yes, I dreamt and always hoped someday to put on my own show. And with the help of so many people and a wonderful cast and crew I must say I'm overwhelmed by the way my dream became reality and the manner in which its "Hell for Leather" popularity continues to grow. So Yes I realised my dream and now I'm living that dream. The only difference is I didn't realise how many people would be affected by one person's dream. I suppose at times it may look like a nightmare but I wouldn't change a single thing.
Programme for Easter Shows (30/31 March, 2005):
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First Half
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Second Half
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1
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Introduction
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1
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Exiles Lament -Tribute to all our emigrants.
Singers: Jeo Jeo Marrinan, Linda Clohessy, Grainne & John Fennell.
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2
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Red Army - Quilty
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2
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Downfall of Paris - Eoin Tarrant
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3
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Song - Galway Bay - singer Rebecca Comerford
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3
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Cashel Set
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4
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Figure Dance
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4
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Sean Nós - Hornpipes - Niamh Burke & Anne Kelly
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5
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Great Eight
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5
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Rachel's Dance - Tribute to Rachel O' Dwyer, R.I.P.
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6
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Music - Hell for Leather Band
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6
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Music - Hell for Leather Band
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7
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Tribute to Dan Furey and James Keane
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7
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Blue Army - Cree
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8
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Hornpipes to Reels - Eoin Tarrant & Michelle Murphy
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8
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Song - Grainne Fennell
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9
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Jig Sets-"Gallop"
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9
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Brush Dance
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10
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Three Amigo' s with Brushes
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10
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Youth Set - 1st Figure of Caledonian
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11
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Heel to Toe - Lissycasey
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11
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St. Patrick's Day Set Piece
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12
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Song - Linda Clohessy
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12
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Michael Sexton Solo
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13
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United Colours Join Forces
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13
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First Finale
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14
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Bowing
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15
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Final Finale
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Photographs taken at Dress Rehearsal of "Hell for Leather" in Cooracalre Community Centre on Saturday 5th March, 2005.
Enquiry
West Clare - One of Ireland's Best Kept Secrets
www.westclare.com
Kilrush Chamber of Commerce
Frances Street, Kilrush, Co. Clare, Ireland.
Telephone: +353 65 905 1061 Fax: +353 65 905 1002
ã Copyright 2005. Kilrush Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.
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