Daughter of James Joyce subject of stage show

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A new play by Jan Bolwell, and starring John Smythe, is heading to the Otamatea Repertory Theatre this month.

Dancing in the Wake is the the gripping story of an extraordinary and talented young woman who grew up in the shadow of her famous father, Irish writer James Joyce.


The gaiety and creative energy of 1920s Paris, where Lucia Joyce trained to be a dancer, is recreated by blending drama, music and dance.

Diagnosed with schizophrenia in her mid-20’s, Lucia is supported in her illness by her friend and lover, playwright Samuel Beckett.


This is a fascinating exploration of what can happen to the talented child of a very famous parent, as she struggles for recognition and a sense of identity.

Bolwell herself describes Dancing in the Wake as “…an exploration of what can happen to the talented child of a very famous parent in struggling for recognition and a sense of identity. Was her illness caused by this or did it compound the problem?”

Dancing in the Wake has a cast of three: Jan Bolwell (director) plays both old and young Lucia, Sacha Copland (director and choreographer) dances young Lucia, and John Smythe (actor, writer and theatre critic) plays Samuel Beckett, James Joyce and Carl Jung.

■ Dancing in the Wake, at the Otamatea Repertory Theatre, Tuesday June 18, 7.30pm, tickets $30, book at www.ort.org.nz
 

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