Behind The Scenes of AMND

So what was being part of a “Zoom” based production of live theatre like? We present some insights from members of the cast. The “COVID Context” and “How did Shakespeare help?”

Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this enthralling Zoom performance.

Okay wrong play but …..
COVID-19 did not stop the Dublin Shakespeare Society from performing. After all, we had survived the first pandemic – The Influenza Pandemic of 1918–1919, known as “The Spanish Flu” – so we had experience!

Now I don’t know what we did back then but this time around, thanks to the wonders of modern technology, we could meet up without leaving our homes.

We started with an informal sing sing event – thanks Declan and Brian – and soon moved into more rehearsed events.
We had wonderful Radio Plays – Chekhov and Antonio Buero Vallejo (thanks Paul) and evenings of Women Writers (Thanks May, Mary & Anne) and the American Songbook (Thanks Dermot).

And the “Zoom” events allowed for a bit of a chit chat after the shows – bonus.

And we did not ignore The Bard. “As you like it” was performed on Zoom over two nights and directed by George and Brendan.
So this is DSS’s second Zoom Shakespeare. The genius team (directed by George and Brendan) built on the experiences of “As you like it”, tweaked the Zoom effects, rehearsed diligently and performed over two nights.
Many of the audiences remarked that it looked like the cast were all in the same venue – despite other locations than Dublin being used such as Cork, Sligo, Drogheda and indeed Germany!

We hope you enjoy these insights from the Director and some cast members.