The Holding Bones

“Poetry and Heart and Soul Food”

The Holding Bones lovingly recalls a host of colourful characters - songsters, storytellers and mischief makers. In paying playful homage to her ancestors Niamh Lawlor contemplates the purpose of life. Her life.

Set in her artist’s studio she draws upon her skills as a puppet maker and visual artist to enrich the tale she has to tell, as playful and funny as it is deeply moving.

“just beautiful...cathartic, profound but also soothing”

This new show for adults from local company Púca The Holding Bones is a fitting celebration of Samhain, All Soul’s and The Day of the Dead. At this time of year, they say, the veil between our world and the next is at its thinnest. Once we would have set an extra place at the table, left the door unlocked and lit a candle for each of our "dearly departed" at Halloween, with November marked as the month of remembrance. Here, Niamh Lawlor, veteran performer for nearly 30 years, counts her ancestors on her very bones and brings them back to life on stage. Vital theatrical storytelling invites you to join her in a meditation on family, memory and rituals of grieving and how to embrace the bitter sweet turns of the cycle of life.

These are among the opening performances of a very personal yet universal show that has been crafted over several years, assisted by support from The Arts Council, DLRCoCo, South Dublin Live, a South Dublin County Council Arts Office initiative, Pavilion studio award, Draíocht, Mermaid and the Civic Theatres where work in progress sharings were well received by audiences :

“Outstanding show, brought back so many memories, very emotional, laughed and cried, great”.

“What a beautiful piece…it came from the heart and touched my heart… it hit all the senses”

“Compelling…dancing with life and death and the shadows… Massive round of applause”

Abbey Theatre New Work Associate Rían Smith gave this feedback:

“We were captivated by the highly atmospheric mood created by The Holding Bones. The play’s interaction with belief and mythos, reporting dreams and urban tales, builds an ethereal and expressionistic sensibility, with the workshop-like setting allowing the themes of togetherness and being remade to feel present and powerful.

The specific characters of the piece – Uncle Cyril, Aunty Barnie, the father – are conjured via thoroughly enjoyable details, the writing evoking both their simple and extraordinary natures, as well as their importance.”

Writer / Performer Niamh Lawlor

Production Manager Aimee Crilly

Lighting Design Colin Doran

Producer Púca

Developed in collaboration with

Dramaturg / Director Veronica Coburn

Visuals / Set Design Lian Bell

Sound / Music Composition Sinead Diskin

Running time approx 50 mins.

Performances take place in the Studio Theatre next to the cafe in the lower floor of the Lexicon.

After the Sunday performance there is an after show discussion.

As the piece deals with bereavement it is not recommended for those under 16 years old.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

LexIcon Library and Cultural Centre, Queen's Road, Dublin, Ireland