Current Show
‘…utterly absorbing…’
‘…charming and deeply moving…’
Show of the week****
In this evocative and moving show, writer-performer Michelle Read collaborates with composer Brian Keegan, to recreate the experience of remembering her mother through the things left behind.
‘…beautifully crafted.’
‘full of affection and warmth…’
Michelle uses glimpses of photographs and fragments of memories to gradually reveal her mother’s story and share the universal experience of remembering a loved one.
‘…done with great feeling, affection and atmosphere…’
‘…understated but almost tangible…’
The Irish Mail on Sunday
A mother-daughter story, transfused with musical echoes, and a meditation on the nature of memory itself.
‘… a pleasure to experience…’
‘…Keegan’s atmospheric music unspools throughout…’
The Irish Independent
‘…it enchants as it pays tribute to the value of memory...’
A talk-back can be included after the performance to discuss the experience of the show and the audience’s own thoughts about memory and remembering someone significant.
On A House Like A Fire has been described by audience members as…
A beautiful piece of theatre... Donna, Oxford
Made me smile and cry. Alison, Norwich
I laughed and cried. Carmel, Dublin
An amazing piece. Ian, Dublin
I was utterly absorbed and moved... Lia, Dublin
…a beautiful piece of work… so gentle and wistful. Patricia, Letterkenny
I loved the textures, the sound… Mia, Dublin
…genius music… Tracey, Dublin
A wonderful new piece. Enda, Dublin
Three short videos of audience vox-pops made for Galway Theatre Festival
TOUR VENUES AND DATES:
2022:
An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny – Friday 1st & Saturday 2nd July - music performed live by the Donegal Camerata string quartet
Clonmel Junction Festival – Wednesday 6th & Thursday 7th July
glór, Ennis – Thursday 21st July
Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda – Friday 2nd September - music performed live by Drogheda string quartet
Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin – Tuesday 6th & Wednesday 7th September
Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray – Wednesday 14th September
Civic Theatre Studio, Tallaght – Friday 16th & Saturday 17th September
2023:
Galway Theatre Festival at The O’Donoghue Centre – Thursday 4th & Friday 5th May
2024:
Bealtaine Festival - Roscommon Arts Centre - Friday 17th May, Bewleys Café Theatre, Dublin - Monday 20th May - Saturday 8th June
Culture Night - Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaíre - Friday 20th September
PRODUCTION TEAM
Writer-Performer-Producer: Michelle Read
Composer-Sound Operation: Brian Keegan
Set Design: Ellen Kirk & House Like Fire Productions
Lighting: Eoin Winning
Photography: Shane McCarthy, Nuala Kerrigan, John D Kelly, David Faughnan
PRODUCTION BACKGROUND
On A House Like A Fire was developed through Pan Pan Theatre Company’s mentorship scheme 2019 (with mentor Johanna Freiburg, SheShePop), also with SHOW at Cork Theatre Lab at the Triskel Arts Centre, and with development funding from Dublin City Council Arts Office.
The show was subsequently commissioned by Age & Opportunity Ireland for the Bealtaine Festival 2021 and co-produced with Droichead Arts Centre and Smock Alley Theatre. Originally planned as a live performance, it was first presented online in a filmed version due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The live production was co-produced in 2022 with An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny and Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda and supported by the Arts Council Artist in Residence Scheme. The show was performed with live string quartets at both co-producing venues and with the recorded version of the music at all other venues.
Genre: Intimate one-woman performance with live projections and original music.
About: Losing a family member, how they are remembered, the nature of memory.
Style/Experience: Contemporary, personal, relatable, moving, lyrical, reflective, powerful and beautiful.
Running time – 50 minutes plus post-show talk-back with audience.
On A House Like A Fire is fully produced. The set and team fit into a hatchback!
