Longford's Shawbrook hosts dramatic showcase of Corseted Art (when creativity bursts)

From the opening moments of Raquel Montero Calero's Corseted Art (when creativity bursts) the audience is aware of the magnitude of the themes to be explored.

Last Friday Calero's stint as artist in residence at Shawbrook showed the first buds of the creative process that has been two years in the making.

This presentation was a tasting menu, a glimpse of a work still in its nascent stage, yet alluding to the dramatic potential for the piece.

The artistic project examines links between Spain and Ireland and represents the impact the Spanish Civil War had on the art scene.

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Provoking discussion on the subsequent footprints the Irish left behind following their involved in the Spaniards troubles between 1936 and 1939 is another theme being developed.

Even in this early offering the possibilities of the plan to incorporate contemporary dance, physical theatre and flamenco are apparent.

The first part of the piece was in Shawbrook's Film Studio Theatre. This intimate setting was perfect as Calero commences the journey by acting against a soundscape that presents the turmoil of war.

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The opening interpretive dance is very much Andalusian in origin. When director James O'Donnell guided the audience out to the forest stage the conjoining of two cultures in a time of conflict manifested itself.

The artist has used her residency to research the Irish who went to the Spanish Civil War, and that has evolved a story that builds through music and dance.

At the forest stage Calero is first joined on stage by guitarist Juan José Manzano, then flamenco dancer Rebeca Sánchez. The interactions between the dancers and the musicians is mesmerising.

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At this stage the show has a strong identity and the audience reaction suggests that it is heading in the right direction.

The sound design by Odhran O'Brien is a subtle star of the show. With this opening salvo Calero shows a keen eye for blending arts.

The showcase of Corseted Art (when creativity bursts) took place in Shawbrook last Friday (August 30). The finished show will be performed in the Ramor Theatre, Virginia on October 12, 2024.

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