First Thought

Welcome to First Thought Backstage with Galway International Arts Festival, a series where we sit down with theatre-makers from GIAF 2023 to discuss the making of their shows.

In this post-show talk Ian Walsh, lecturer at the University of Galway, sits down with Luke Murphy and Will Thompson to dive deeper into the (out of this) world of ideas that went into creating Volcano. Recorded live at Galway International Arts Festival 2023.

Acclaimed director and choreographer Luke Murphy blurs the lines of experimental theatre, contemporary dances and a psychological sci-fi thriller in live performance made for the Netflix era. Taking audiences on a unique and voyeuristic journey Volcano explores the all too familiar struggles of power, time and trust, across four, forty-five minute episodes.

First Thought Backstage is presented in association with University of Galway.

Vinyl Hours is a series of talks with music aficionados in conversation with music maestro Tiernan Henry.

On this episode Tiernan sits down with Robert Forster. Robert Forster is one of Australia’s most literate songwriters, with a solo repertoire drawn from a deep well of ideas and imagery, delivered in a conversational tone and impossible beautiful melodies. This episode was recorded live at GIAF 2023.

Listen along to Robert Forster's Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5LOgzr0I3BzorvCUBFKXzW?si=6973a9a5280b4b4a

Spend an hour on an aural journey of treasured musical memories with special guests, who reveal their go-to playlists, the soundtrack to their lives and explore what exactly it stirs within them; fun, heartbreak and revolution.

Vinyl Hours is a series of talks with music aficionados in conversation with music maestro Tiernan Henry.

On this episode Tiernan sits down with Irish Electronic powerhouse Elaine Mai. Elaine Mai has captivated fans and critics alike with her mesmerising performances and unique blend of emotive dance music and in this episode she shares the music that moves her. This episode was recorded live at GIAF 2023.

Listen along to Elaine Mai's playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3cUv9Sver3eXtEygyblojo?si=895cfe1c9c2149a1

Spend an hour on an aural journey of treasured musical memories with special guests, who reveal their go-to playlists, the soundtrack to their lives and explore what exactly it stirs within them; fun, heartbreak and revolution.

Vinyl Hours is a series of talks with music aficionados in conversation with music maestro Tiernan Henry.

On this episode Tiernan sits down with New Zealander DJ Fitchie, AKA Mu, of Fat Freddy Drops ahead of his performance at the Heineken Big Top. Recorded live at Galway International Arts Festival 2023.

Listen along to DJ Mu's playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2pa8X7jUOJg4jaiw8vNaUj?si=ce41ca2ff2214bfe

Spend an hour on an aural journey of treasured musical memories with special guests, who reveal their go-to playlists, the soundtrack to their lives and explore what exactly it stirs within them; fun, heartbreak and revolution. 

An official companion to David Mach's The Oligarch’s Nightmare at the festival gallery. The Festival Gallery is presented in association with The Dean, Galway, who also provided support for this podcast.

 

This podcast was produced by Andy Gaffney, The Shift Podcast Network.

Welcome to First Thought Backstage with Galway International Arts Festival, a series where we sit down with theatremakers from GIAF 2022 to discuss the making of their shows.

Geoff Sobelle’s Home throws open the doors and invites you to a must see moving meditation of the relentless passage of time, and a breath-taking spectacle of illusion, choreography, music and storytelling. Listen to Dr El Putnam, Lecturer in Digital Media at NUI Galway catch up with cast members Home in this post-show talk. Hear the ensemble members' thoughts on the characters they play and explore the everyday drama of what makes a house a home.

First Thought Backstage is presented in association with University of Galway.

Vinyl Hours is Galway International Arts Festival's music discussion series which takes place live at the festival and here on the First Thought podcast. Join us on an aural journey of musical memories with Galwegian singer-songwriter Anna Mullarkey and host Tiernan Henry. Listen as they delve into Anna's eclectic soundtrack that features the artists that inspire her and her work.

Anna Mullarkey's Vinyl Hours playlist is available to enjoy on Galway International Arts Festival's Spotify page.

First Thought is a series of live and recorded talks and podcasts produced in association with University of Galway.

Welcome to First Thought Backstage with Galway International Arts Festival, a series where we sit down with theatremakers from GIAF 2022 to discuss the making of their shows.

Writer and director Enda Walsh ‘s The First Child invites you to an opera like no other – an experience that takes opera to new realms, where a cast of singers is joined by an actor, a dancer and children in a multi-media extravaganza that is at times intimate, explosive and trilling. Listen to Dr Barry Houlihan, Archivist at University of Galway catch up with cast members The First Child in this post-show talk. Hear the cast members' thoughts on the characters they play as they take you on this powerful rollercoaster ride.

First Thought Backstage is presented in association with University of Galway.

Welcome to First Thought Backstage at Galway International Arts Festival. In this series we get to sit down with theatremakers at GIAF 2022 to discuss the making of their shows. First Thought is presented in association with University of Galway.

One of the world’s most celebrated theatre ensembles, Chicago’s Steppenwolf make their much-anticipated return to Galway for the first time in 15 years with Sam Shepard's True West.

Listen to University of Galway Professor of Drama and Theatre Studies, Patrick Lonergan catch up with cast members Randall Arney and Ora Jones in this post-show talk. Hear the ensemble members' thoughts on the characters they play, the history of the ensemble and new resonances in the revived American classic.

Welcome to First Thought Backstage at Galway International Arts Festival. In this series we get to sit down with theatremakers at GIAF 2022 to discuss the making of their shows.

This is a post show talk of 'From a Low and Quiet Sea ' at Galway International Arts Festival 2022. University of Galway Drama and Theatre Studies Lecturer, Dr Charlotte McIvor, speaks with the cast and director of From a Low and Quiet Sea, an adaption of Donal Ryan’s Booker Prize-nominated novel. In this world premiere by Decadent Theatre and Galway Arts Centre, McIvor is joined by director Andrew Flynn and cast members Aosaf Afzal, Darragh O’Toole, Maeve Fitzgerald and Lorcan Cranitch.

Listen closely to hear a guest appearance from the acclaimed author, Donal Ryan!

First Thought Backstage is presented in collaboration with University of Galway. You can listen back to all episodes via GIAF.ie or find First Thought Backstage on any podcast platform.