Behind the doors of school drama competition

Starting this weekend on TG4 is An Ceoldráma is a new, observational documentary series that goes behind the classroom door in four Gaelscoils to reveal what it takes to get a school musical on stage in one of the toughest categories of the Féile Scoildrámaíochta (The National Schools’ Drama Competition), which celebrates its 80^th anniversary this year.

 

A cross between the award-winning documentaries, Spellbound and Être et Avoir, this four-part series offers a highly-accessible insight into what has become a rite-of-passage for thousands of Irish-language pupils across the country. An Ceoldrámapaints an intimate picture of the micro-society of primary school and highlights the transformative effect that drama and music can have on the young hearts and minds of this new Irish-speaking generation.

 

Directed by Colm Bairéad (Lorg na gCos, An tÁdh) and produced by Cleona Ní Chrualaoi (Lorg na gCos, The Gathering: Homeward Bound), An Ceoldráma features an eclectic mix of candid classroom and rehearsal footage, accomplished (and not-so-accomplished!) musical performances and insightful interviews with stressed teachers, excited students and endlessly supportive parents. The series follows one school from each province; Gaelscoil Ultain in Monaghan, Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin in Carrigaline, Cork, Scoil Lorcáin in Monkstown, Co. Dublin and Scoil Náisiúnta Cholmcille in Connemara, Galway. It’s a series that has all the ingredients of compelling, broad-appeal television, which manages to keep the Irish language completely at its heart.

 

An Ceoldráma shows the multitude of mini-dramas that unfold behind these dramas; the countless challenges teachers face in bringing each musical from a simple idea on a page to an all-singing, all-dancing performance in front of a packed theatre audience and the all-important judges; the funny moments that occur during rehearsals, the myriad things that go wrong before they get it right, the play, the laughter, the pressure that the pupils put themselves under - competing for the lead role, hitting those high notes, perfecting choreography, painting sets and memorising lines.

An Ceoldráma follows a select group of characters outside of school hours as each musical winds its way back home and over the course of four episodes, the series pieces together the source material of these vibrant, quirky and heart-lifting young personalities, as they each dream of a place in the competition’s final in Mullingar.

Produced by Inscéal, An Ceoldráma was edited by John Murphy (Showrunners, Bliain in Árainn Mhóir) in Lotus Media and was onlined and sound mixed in Reelgood. The series was filmed between January-May 2013 in locations in Dublin, Monaghan, Galway, Donegal, Cork and Westmeath.

An Ceoldráma airs on TG4 every Sunday night at 8pm for four weeks from January 12^th with two repeats.

An Ceoldráma

Episode 1: An Féile Áitiúil / The County Final

Sunday, January 12^th 2014 – 8pm / Repeat January 14^th 12am & January 16^th 2pm

 

It’s January and the 6^th Class pupils of Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin have four weeks to get their musical ready for the Cork Final of the Féile Scoildrámaíochta. In Monaghan town, Gaelscoil Ultain’s preparations for their county final are put in jeopardy by the move to a new school. The clock is ticking!

 

Episode 2: An Féile Áitiúil / The County Final

Sunday, January 19^th 2014 – 8pm / Repeat January 21^st 12am & January 23^rd 2pm

 

Scoil Lorcáin in Monkstown enter the Féile Scoildrámaíochta for the first time in many years, but Glee-club teacher, Ann-Marie is sure her love of stage musicals will hold her in good stead as they race to prepare for the Dublin Final. In the heart of Connemara, the 4^th and 5^th Class students of Scoil Náisiúnta Cholmcille, set their sights on another victory at the Galway Final.

 

Episode 3: Na Féiltí Cúige / The Provincial Finals

Sunday, January 26^th 2014 – 8pm / Repeat January 28^th 12am & January 30^th 2pm

 

All four schools have made it to the Provincial Finals of the Féile Scoildrámaíochta. In Galway, the competition between Tommy and Chloe slowly comes to the boil, whilst Scoil Lorcáin has to do some soul-searching following an under par performance in the Dublin Final. Gaelscoil Ultain in Monaghan reveal the special person they’ve been thinking of during their performances and in Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin, Cork, the new subject is chemistry as teacher, Brian deals with rising class hormones!

 

Episode 4: An Féile Náisiúnta / The National Final

Sunday, February 2^nd 2014 – 8pm / Repeat February 4^th 12am & February 6^th 2pm

 

It’s the All-Ireland Final of the Féile Scoildrámaíochta. Scoil Náisiúnta Cholmcille in Galway and Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin in Cork both enlist the help of local choreographers to spice up their stage presence for the big day in Mullingar. Scoil Lorcáin in Dublin are still refining their musical and have a new solo to contend with, whilst the pupils of Gaelscoil Ultain in Monaghan look back on the years gone by as the end of the competition, and their time in primary school, draws near.