Host of events at Heaney HomePlace opening

Details of the diverse programme of events to celebrate the opening of Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, have been released.

In total, fifteen events spanning music, theatre, poetry, song, reading and talks will take place across four days, Friday September 30 – Monday October 3, in the new arts and literary centre, all celebrating the poems, prose, theatre and life of Seamus Heaney, and involving leading poets, musicians and actors.

The weekend includes three specially commissioned pieces of music and theatre, beginning with a world premiere on Friday 30 September when a nine-piece ensemble of globally-renowned traditional musicians arrive in Bellaghy from Eastern Europe, America, Greece, Scotland, Japan and Ireland - cultures and countries that have been closely associated with Seamus Heaney’s life and work - to perform ‘Lifecycle’.

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From one musical highlight to another on the same evening, the pre-eminent singer and songwriter, Paul Brady, gives a very special performance in the first of a series of concerts The Home Key which will take place across the opening year.

On Saturday evening (1 October), attention turns to drama for a re-telling of the gripping story of the larger-than-life Beowulf, as translated by Seamus Heaney, and presented by Tron Theatre group, with the award-winning Lynne Parker directing a cast of three women and featuring the original soundscape by Denis Clohessy.

Sunday evening brings a truly unique musical experience to audiences when internationally acclaimed cellist, Christina Poltéra, plays the famous 300-year-old cello ‘Mara’ for a performance of Bach’s first three cello suites.

The recital, entitled Bach to Broagh, will be intercut with readings of Seamus Heaney’s poems, including In Time, the last poem he wrote in August 2013, while listening to the music of Bach at the Proms.

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Other weekend highlights include The Wild Dog Rose, combining the talents of The Chieftain’s Paddy Maloney and Tríona Marshall with the poet John Montague, and readings from All Through The Night, a new anthology of night poems and lullabies edited by Marie Heaney.

For full programme details and to book, contact the box office on 7938 7444 or visit www.seamusheaneyhome.com/whatson.