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The Award Winning Johnny Patterson the Singing Irish Clown Written by Little John Nee Directed by Raymond Keane 'Mesmerising. Enchanting. Magical. Touching. Ingenius. Innovative. Quirky. Endearing. Experimental. Different and highly imaginative. All words that appropriately describe Barabbas' latest theatrical offering.' Irish Theatre Magazine Siamsa Tíre, Tralee Wed 21st & Thurs 22nd April at 8pm Tickets €21 / €17 available on Box Office Tel. 066 7123055 or www.siamsatire.com Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire Wed 28-Thu 29 Apr 8pm Tickets €19/€17 Bookings: (01) 231 2929 www.paviliontheatre.ie (Limited early bird tickets available!) Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise Friday April 30th 8pm Ticket price €10 / €14 Box office 057 8663355 www.dunamaise.ie An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny Tues 4 & Wed 5 May 2010 at 8pm Tickets available Tel. 074 91 20777 or www.angrianan.com Backstage Theatre Longford Fri 7th & Sat 8th May at 8:30pm Tickets €18/€16 available on Tel. 043 33 47888 www.backstage.ie TOWN HALL THEATRE, GALWAY Mon 10 & Tues 11 May €18/€15 (concession) 091 569777 or buy online 24 hours *booking charge applies Glór, Ennis Thursday 14th - Friday 15th May 8pm Tickets €15/€12 Conc. available at Box Office 065 6843 103 or www.glor.ie 'This magical show is an homage to the forgotten genius of Johnny Patterson, The Rambler from Clare’ 'Spellbinding tale of a folk hero's life...a thoroughly engaging, sprightly and poignant piece of theatre.' Sunday Business Post 'Barabbas Brings a new energy to their clowning interests with this historical biography of Ireland's most famous clown' Irish Times Raymond Keane, director, first came across the story of Johnny Patterson while researching for his production ‘Circus’. At an exhibition of circus paintings by Jack B Yeats he encountered the painting ‘The Singing Clown’ 1928 and the catalogue outlined his fascinating story. Johnny Patterson was born in Feakle Co. Clare in 1840. At the tender age of fourteen young Johnny already showed his talent for music and song writing. By chance he found himself a job with a small touring Circus where almost immediately he became a huge audience favorite as a clown who told jokes and sang his own original songs. In his search for a new style of clown, coupled with his wish to present his ‘Irishness’ in a positive light he soon discarded the traditional clowncostume, replacing it with a cone shaped hat and a tweed outfit embroidered with shamrocks and a Celtic harp. He was head hunted by the world famous Cooper and Bailey and traveled to America where he became one of the highest paid entertainers of the time. He also amassed considerable wealth through royalties from his hit songs such as The Stone Outside Dan Murphy’s Door. In 1885 becoming tired of life in America he returned home to a politically charged Ireland to fulfill his dream of forming his own circus. In reaction to the political situation he composed a song ‘Do your best for one another’ in which he urged Loyalists and Nationalists to put their differences aside. During a performance of the song in 1889 rising anger in the audience resulted in a scuffle. Patterson received a blow to the head with an iron bar and three days later died in hospital. Little John Nee, who will also play the title role, has written an innovative theatrical presentation which charts the highs and lows of this extraordinary performer, highlighting his triumphs and tragedies both inside and outside the ring. Back to News & Events |
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