The event is an annual occurrence which sees a cast of 40-60 students write, direct and perform a huge production that runs for 6 nights in week 6.
DU playayers are currently putting the finishing touches to their ‘pantomime style extravaganza’, the Freshers’ Co-op.
The event is an annual occurrence which sees a cast of 40-60 students write, direct and perform a huge production that runs for 6 nights in week 6.
Like many College societies, it is an event advertised during Freshers’ week aimed particularly at first years who want to become involved in the society. However this has sometimes been criticised as a way in which the society becomes a ‘clique’ where participation in the Co-Op becomes an essential attribute. One ex-director noted that almost all of the people who act in the Co-Op become the main leaders in the society within a few years.
However, he stressed that this year the emphaisis has changed slightly as the Freshers’ Co-Op is just one of many plays in the new ‘Freshers’ Festival’ that encourages students who do not want to be involved in the hectic Co-Op to get involved in Players.
Hannah Partis-Jennings, one of the producers of the Co-Op this year described the reasons behind the new system. “Players wanted to expand membership and broaden the appeal of the society by offering a range of different theatre pieces for the Freshers to get involved in.”
The festival comprised of two short Pinter plays, a Berkof play, an adaption of a James Joyce short story and a new writing piece.
The new writing piece this year is the Freshers’ Co-Op called ‘The Ballad of Susan McJilty’. It was written and directed by Ross Dungan, Emma Gleeson, Ciaran Clarke and Greg Willmot and includes a cast of 50 students. “Following a murder of epic proportions, a series of nameless and random characters are thrown into the time/space continuum to try and save the world … as you do”.
Ms Partis-Jennings said ‘The story involves a search to solve a strange crime that spans many timezones, involves every kind of character and encompasses more insane situations and outrageous gags then ever before.’ The focus, this year will be on the techinical side of the production making it ‘a visual spectacle to remember’. The Co-Op is the culmination of the festival and will run every night this week at 8pm and a matinee on Saturday.
