THE PANTO: MAKING OF [EN]

[switch to Polish]

This panto just looks a bit differently.

There are over 100 different clubs & societies at Dublin City University (DCU) in Ireland. Almost each of more than 11,000 students belongs to at least one of them. The clubs may count on the University's financial support, but most of them are also sponsored by private benefactors. The variety of initiatives undertook by this part of academic society includes almost everything from sports clubs till Strange Things Society. The curious may want to see the full list here.

Between October and November 2011 I was documenting the making of DCU Drama Society's Panto, "Crappily Ever After", written by Lisa Keegan--the vice-chairperson of the society. As it is Drama Society's tradition, the Panto was directed by a first-year student: Tanis Tonge.

The pictures you are about to see below are all part of my final semester assignment, carried out under the supervision of Frank Miller, The Irish Times' editor and photographer. It turned out to be the best project in class, but it was definitely not the easiest nor the most pleasureful to work on. The resulting pictures, however, were very much appreciated by the society... and I was soon asked for permission to publish them on DCU Drama's website and in DCU Clubs & Societies 2011/2012 scrapbook. The society's members liked the photos so much they even used the prints I ordered during the promotional campaign. This was the way I managed to create the first foreign exhibition of my work. In this case it sounds quite funny though.

The set contains 12 photographs. It starts with the auditions, goes through the rehearsals and gets you to the premiere. It is not a typical "making of" document though. Yes, I was a witness and yes, I took part in the events (although from certain distance). The aesthetics of these photographs is a little bit different from what I was used to find under this etiquette. However, it is not about the visual quality; this kind of evaluation should depend on the audience. But this very dramatic art looks just a little bit differently. That is the point, by the way: not to f***ing repeat oneself. Last but not least, there is just one photograph from the premiere show there. Because it is a completely different thing to deal with.

First picture taken: 13/10/2011, last: 29/11/2011

13/10/2011 -- DCU Drama Society: "Crappily Ever After" Panto auditions, day 1. Director Tanis Tonge and producer Lisa Keegan are seeing the candidates for show to be displayed in the end of november/first days of december.

24/10/2011 -- Choreographer Eve Kerton is giving her remarks to Prince Ralph (Cormac Fiachra Ó Broin).

24/10/2011 -- First rehearsal with choreography: the cast is making their first dancing steps. Left to right: Eve Kerton, choreographer; Sharon Sorohan, assistant producer; Emma Wall, DCU Drama's chairperson; Lisa Keegan, producer. 

01/11/2011 -- Director Tanis Tonge is supervising a one-scene rehearsal with just a couple of actors.

13/11/2011 -- Choreographer Eve Kerton (right front) is perfectioning a scene in DCU Helix's Blue Room. 17 days left to premiere.

13/11/2011 -- The King (Ed Leamy, DCU Student Union Chairperson) is sending newsletters after his part of the scene is over. Front: The Duke (Kenneth Browne) and Princess Persephonie (Suzanne O'Connor) are still in the middle of theirs.

13/11/2011 -- On Sunday the cast was called to take part in a massive, 6 hour long rehearsal in Helix's (DCU's multi-venue performance space) Blue Room. Everyone had been advised to bring some water and sandwitches with them.

13/11/2011 -- Dexter (Mark O'Reilly) still needs to memorize the script... María (Rachel Byrne) is waiting for him to finish while Harry Potter (Columb Doherty) is watching the scene from behind.

21/11/2011 --  Cast photoshoot. DCU Drama's Public Relations Officer Jamie Harrold is taking pictures of Prince Ralph (Cormac Fiachra Ó Broin) and Princess Persephonie (Suzanne O'Connor) in order to launch a promotional campaign during the week before the show. 

28/11/2011 -- Final rehearsal. The show is on the next day and the set still needs some work. The Venue in The Hub student centre, DCU campus. 

28/11/2011 -- Final rehearsal: the backstage. It is completely stuffed with props and people, getting a little bit nervous.

29/11/2011 -- Final show. Prince Ralph (Cormac Fiachra Ó Broin) is desperate after his beloved Princess Persephonie (Suzanne O'Connor) has been kidnapped. The show turned out to be a huge success, also commercially; the tickets had been completely sold out.