THE PILGRIMAGE

a play by Paul Goetzee

On Tuesday 30th March 1999, WYD presented the Irish premiere of this exciting new play, directed by Dublin-based actress and director Deirdre Molloy.

The play is set in a fictional land where two groups (the goatherders and shepherds) hate each other. Things change when two young people from opposite groups meet up and realise that they aren't so different.

This production was part of the BT National Connections 99 project. After presenting the play at Garter Lane in Waterford, WYD took it to Belfast and performed it at the Lyric Theatre.

It then became the only production from the Republic of Ireland to be chosen to appear in London. The Royal National Theatre in association with British Telecom invited WYD to perform 'The Pilgrimage' at the Olivier Theatre on 13th July.

Cast of 'The Pilgrimage'

After the fund-raiser performance: Cathy Hanrahan, Anna Manahan, Mayor Paddy Gallagher, Deirdre Molloy

'PILGRIMAGE' GOES TO LONDON

On 13th July 1999 WYD performed its production of 'The Pilgimage' at the prestigious Olivier Theatre in London.

The Royal National Theatre in association with British Telecom made the invitation after assessing the production, which was staged as part of BT's BT National Connections programme. WYD was the only company from the Republic of Ireland to be chosen to appear in London.

In March WYD's production at Garter Lane Arts Centre received a glowing report from UK-based assessor Sheila Mander: 'From the moment the chorus exploded onto the acting area until the final curtain, I was gripped by this lively production. I was completely bowled over by the optimistic and humorous style they used to communicate the script.'

Before the cast left for London, Ollie Breslin of WYD said 'This is a much-coveted opportunity. The Olivier Theatre is a very prestigious venue. It will be a great experience for the group of young actors, a big challenge for them. The Olivier seats in excess of 1100. Director and cast are already working to translate the production for a venue that size.'

Meanwhile, the British Council and the Department of Foreign Affairs offered additional financial help. Despite pre-curtain jitters, the big performance went off smoothly and received an enthousiastic response from the London audience.

PRESS RELEASE: Monday 19 July 1999

'THE PILGRIMAGE' A RIP-ROARING SUCCESS IN LONDON!

Waterford Youth Drama Joined by Distinguished Guests and Stars of Stage and Screen at Royal National Theatre

Waterford Youth Drama’s celebrated production THE PILGRIMAGE took to the boards last week at the prestigious Olivier Theatre at the Royal National Theatre on the banks of the river Thames. The Waterford production sold out to a capacity audience of 1160 people. Joined by a host of distinguished guests including His Excellency Ted Barrington, Irish Ambassador to Britain, and Minister of State at the Department of Finance Martin Cullen T.D., the cast of sixteen young actors took to the stage to the sound of rapturous welcoming applause.

THE PILGRIMAGE, directed by Dublin-based actress and director Deirdre Molloy, was selected for the Olivier Theatre following assessment of over 150 prominent companies from right across the U.K. and Ireland. Only the very best productions of ten new plays for young actors were selected to showcase at the NT Cottesloe and Olivier Theatres, on the invitation of the Royal National Theatre in association with British Telecom. Waterford Youth Drama was the only company selected from the Republic of Ireland.

Hosted by television show host Graham Norton and introduced by Genista McIntosh, Executive Director of the Royal National Theatre, Waterford Youth Drama’s production held the capacity audience spellbound until the final curtain when the sixteen young actors took a bow to a round of rapturous cheering and applause. 'It's an evening to be proud to be Irish,' commented Irish Ambassador Ted Barrington, following the performance. 'It's the best experience of my life and a proud moment for Waterford Youth Drama,' echoed cast member Michael O'Brien, Kilcohan.

A special presentation was made to Waterford Youth Drama acknowledging their coveted selection for the Royal National Theatre before an audience that included stars of stage and screen, such as actresses Olympia Dukakis and Diana Rigg.

16-year-old stage manager Ann Marie O'Sullivan and cast member Ana Rosa De Eizaguirre accepted the award on behalf of the company and reciprocated the presentation with Waterford Crystal pieces for their showcase host Graham Norton and writer of THE PILGRIMAGE Paul Goetzee. 'It was a magical evening for anyone from Waterford,' commented Minister of State Martin Cullen T.D., in attendance with the Irish Ambassador. 'The production adapted very well for the Olivier stage,' reflected Trevor Nunn, Director of the Royal National Theatre.

Waterford Youth Drama’s performance at the Olivier Theatre closed a six-day international celebration of youth theatre at the Royal National Theatre. In association with British Telecom, the National Theatre commissioned the cream of new writing talent to write hour-long plays for young actors under the project title BT National Connections. The portfolio of writers this year included Alan Ayckbourn, Dario Fo and Christina Reid to name but a few.

Waterford Youth Drama got the news in May last that the company had been selected for the National Theatre. 'I couldn’t believe it, I was screaming!' reported cast member Sarah Blanc, Kilcohan. The company then set about fund raising for the event, costs of which were expected to exceed £7000. THE PILGRIMAGE was revived for two nights of performance at Garter Lane Arts Centre to raise funds towards the London venture. Tony award winning Waterford actress Anna Manahan was delighted to support Waterford Youth Drama’s fund raising efforts, attending the Gala Fund Raiser performance as Waterford Youth Drama’s guest of honour. Together with significant grant aid from The British Council and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Waterford Youth Drama embarked with confidence upon their debut in London. 'Waterford Youth Drama is indebted to the Department of Foreign Affairs and to The British Council for making this great opportunity a reality for seventeen young Waterford people' reported Cathy Hanrahan, Administrator, WYD.

His Worship Mayor Pat Hayes has announced he will host a Civic Reception for cast members Michael O'Brien, Sarah Blanc, Marc Costine, Nicola Power, Simon Connolly, Eli Egan, Diarmuid Early, Ronan Joy, Deirdre Dwyer, Michael Early, Sarah Fallon, Patricia Murphy, Shauna Farrell, Ana Rosa de Eizaguirre, Kelly Logue, Jennie McGuire and stage manager Ann Marie O'Sullivan, who were special ambassadors for Waterford City on Tuesday night last 13th July in London.

LONDON, BABY, LONDON --by Mark

We had been asked to be at the WYD offices by 8.30am and not one person was late. However, one of the cast forgot his shoes so we did not leave until 9.05am. Fortunately, when planning we accounted for something like that happening and we arrived at Dublin Airport as scheduled - 20mins late. Fortunately again, we were only 20mins late for checking in and we still made our flight. Once in London we went to our hostel to relieve ourselves of our luggage.

Later, when we had been well rested, fed and watered, we hiked 2km through the city center to the Royal National Theater. It was in the Royal National Theater, on the Olivier Stage, that we would be performing our play, The Pilgrimage, on the very next night. Why we were there on that night was to see two of the other plays that were taking part in the BT National Connections competition. The two shows impressed us but although we all agreed that the theater was huge and the shows were great we were not despondent or fearful of the next night. This was because we knew that our show kicked-ass and had more attitude than a constipated lion having a bad hair-day with a hot poker stuck in his side.

After the show we went downstairs to a party in the theater which (due to all the free non-alcoholic drink and not the really crap DJ) was very cool. After that we went back to our hostel for an early night in (2.30am), in preparation for our big day.

The next morning we were made get up terribly early because we had a lot to do. First thing (even before breakfast) we went to the theater. There we met the other group that would be performing after us on that night. They were nice and their play was good but they were not nearly as cool as us. We spent most of the day rehearsing for the night while our director almost had a nervous breakdown. In this way the time passed quickly and it wasn't long before the audience began to arrive and we were told to get off the stage. Then all we could do was wait. Backstage, five minutes before the show began, it was very quiet. Nobody was particularly nervous and everyone was confident there would be no mistakes because we had performed the show so many flawless times before. It was very warm backstage and when I look back at it, it seems like a dream - a very cool dream. Anyhow, we soon got the cue to start the show and so we started the show. From there it just got better and better. It was truly an amazing experience and, thanks be to God, nothing went wrong. Besides nothing going wrong a lot went right - the audience seemed to enjoy it and they responded to the jokes better than any audience we had ever had.

After that there was not much else left to do other than party all night and then go home to the land we all love - Erin.