Countless Cathleens is an unexpected comedy that quickly has the whole audience laughing at its real-world parallels. With an original score by renowned trad band Beoga and live commentary by former Riverdance lead and Ériu Dance Company founder Breandán de Gallaí throughout, this unique show tackles the female experience of ingrained misogyny within the highly competitive sphere of performing arts.
With breathy vocalisations, shapely jumps (both Irish and modern), and shaking shoulders, the performance re-envisions the stereotypical Irish dancing body. These contemporary Irish dance numbers dotted with hilarious interactions between the leading ladies in their eternal dressing room provide a comical take on a critical story.
Full of superficial cast selfies and insincere apologies, Countless Cathleens reflects a reality many experience. Any competitive Irish dancer would recognise the side eyes thrown in a “majors” practice room, slyly staking out the competition without showing that you care. Even if you are not a part of the Irish dancing world, it’s a universal brand of jealousy and competitiveness that could be extended to office politics.
Every cast member could be considered a theatrical “triple threat”, each dancing, singing, and acting throughout the production. The stand-out cast of eight dancers includes; TikTok star Morgan Bullock; Yuki Nomiya, originally from Tokyo, Japan, making her return to the stage; late 90’s ex-Riverdance principal Joanne Doyle.
The leads perform through an assigned primary characteristic: apathetic, anxious, perfectionist, outgoing, forgetful, sensual, well-experienced, and traditionalist — each illustrating the varied personalities that could be found among women in a high-pressure environment.
The one thing missing from the dressing room is the external actor that provoked these toxically competitive conditions to flourish. But the bond of womanhood prevails over the forced hostilities, and, at the end of the day, “we all just want a glass of vino and to take off our bra.”
As creator Breandán reveals to The Irish Dance Globe after the show, Countless Cathleens gives the Irish dancing body a different space to breathe, regardless of age, gender identity, or training. In specifically seeking a diverse cast to represent how public opinion has changed on Irish dancing through the decades, it is no longer displayed as just a cultural, and at times, nationalist art form. This unique performance is a refreshing piece of dance theatre that’s sure to be a hit with even larger audiences.
‘Countless Cathleens’ ran from 1-2 May, 2024 at the Black Box Theatre as a part of the Galway Theatre Festival. Follow Ériu Dance Company on Instagram and keep up with performances on their website.
