Fearghus Ó Conchúir Choreographer and Dance Artist

Label: Julie Feeney

June 27, 2009

Cosán Dearg – some years on

Cosán Dearg is a piece I made in 2005 with director Jason Byrne(whose Phaedra’s Love won best production last year in the Irish Times Theatre awards), composer Julie Feeney (whose critically acclaimed new album Pages is just released) and fellow performer Bernadette Iglich . It grew out of a collaboration that started when we were participants in a workshop organised by the Dublin Fringe Festival held at the Annaghmakerrig artists’ retreat.

While we were in the last stages of making the piece, a film company called Scannán Dobharchú made a documentary about us. It wasn’t an easy process, as I was anxious that the filming wouldn’t interfere with the delicate last stages of our rehearsals. There were tensions in our collaboration that I was afraid the documentary might sensationalise. However, I think Scannán Dobharchú did a great job and it’s a pleasure after all this time to see something of our work.

The documentary was completed in 2005 but never screened by TG4, the programme commissioners. Then, out of the blue, it appeared last year unannounced. Maybe there was a slot to fill? Maybe they lost it? But at least I’ve been able to get a copy now and here’s an excerpt from the end of the programme.

It contains some tenebrously tasteful nudity