TARA MacGOWRAN

The Year of the Scottish Play

  • Macbeth and the witches
    Dave Hill (Macbeth), Vicky Sharp, Tara MacGowran, Hannah Galliers (The Witches). Macbeth, Downpour Theatre Co. Photo Rupert Russel 2019
  • Tara MacGowran (Lord) and Adam Wright (Lennox) in Macbeth, Downpour Theatre Co. 2019 Photo by Stewart McPherson
  • Tara MacGowran and Amy Baker in Macbeth
    Tara MacGowran (Lady Macduff) and Amy Baker.(Macduff’s Child). Macbeth, Downpour Theatre Co. 2019 Photo Stewart McPherson.
  • Tara MacGowran as Lady Macbeth
    Tara MacGowran (Lady Macbeth) Anubis Productions. Photo by Alan Howard. 2019.
  • Anubis Productions ~ Macbeth
Tara MacGowran in Macbeth

From February till early November I’ve been involved all this year, in some stage of production, in two very different and very exciting productions of Macbeth. It feels very strange to be leaving the story of the thane behind now. At least for a bit. The two productions couldn’t have been more different in style but equally fascinating to work on. The first, set in the time of the historical Macbeth involved multi media aspects and Macbeth and Banquo have been “encouraged” into opium addiction by the witches. The second, a dystopian near future vision. It was a joy to work on both these shows with two wonderful casts. Across the two shows I have this year been Lady Macbeth, Lady Macduff, Witch and Lord.

Pagan Warrior – Out Nov 11th

Pre order now on Amazon. A Yuletide monster-fest for the holidays. Vikings go head to head with Anglo-Saxon royalty. Then throw in Krampus! Loved working with an amazing cast and crew on this.

Book for Macbeth

I will be joining Downpour Theatre Co. as Lady Macduff and Witch in their upcoming production of Macbeth, selected venues around the South West this autumn. See below for booking details.

Click here to go through to ticketsource to book for the following dates:

Friday  18th – Saturday 19th October, 19:30
THE MISSION THEATRE, BATH
32 Corn Street, Bath, BA1 1UF

Friday 25th – Saturday 26th October, 19:30
DECRYPT, GLOUCESTER
Southgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1TP

Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st October
CASTLE SCHOOL, THORNBURY, BRISTOL
Park Road, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 1HT

Friday 1st – Saturday 2nd November, 19:30
SUNDIAL THEATRE, CIRENCESTER
Cirencester College, Cirencester, GL7 1XA

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/downpour-theatre-company

Closing Gambit

Working as narrator on this project was particularly special for me as, having been somewhat involved in the chess world for some time, I know many of the protagonists in this real life drama. A pleasure and an honour for me to be asked to provide the narration for this fascinating documentary.

Macbeth, Merlin Theatre, Frome May 24th, 25th.

Delighted and thrilled to be playing Lady M in this innovative and exciting production featuring multi-media and physical theatre. Wonderful cast and so happy to work again with director Georgiana Neilson-Toy. The Merlin is a wonderful space to work in, a delight!

Merlin Theatre, Bath Road, Frome, Somerset. BA11 2HG.

Click here for link to the Merlin Theatre’s website to book, or call 01373 465949 (phone & fax).

Films on Release

It’s been a very busy year, but 3 of the films I’ve collaborated with Proportion Productions with my production company Brief yellow Light, are now out and available on DVD and VOD.  Darker Shades of Elise was filmed in 2016 and released earlier this year. 12 Deaths of Christmas AKA …

Remembering Jack at Enniskillen

Well I am very late in writing up this post, in part because it is very emotional for me.

In August of 2015, Happy Days Enniskillen International Beckett Festival very kindly chose to honour my father’s work with Samuel Beckett and as part of that schedule, asked me to speak at the event. I was joined by Garech Browne of Claddagh Records, with whom my father recorded Beckett’s works on a number of occasions and with Kate O’Toole of the Irish Film Board chairing the discussion, we all spoke informally of our memories of both my father and of Sam. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip to Enniskillen, it is a fabulously friendly and welcoming festival, I’m quite sure Sam would have approved.

I want to share my thanks and gratitude to Liam Browne of the Happy Days Festival. I am touched to know that more than 40 years after his death, people still remember my father and his work.

Most of all, my thanks go to Stephen Rea, who contributed by video to our talk. His extraordinarily kind and generous tribute was deeply moving and I treasure it. Below is a short clip.

I would also like to thank Martin Melarkey and Conal Melarkey for their work on the video pieces shown on the day. Jack MacGowran Remembered is Conal’s compilation of some of Jack’s work. Helluva showreel. I would love to have one half as good one day!