Sligo Theatre Company to Present WB Yeats' PURGATORY Atop Ben Bulben

Sligo's Blue Raincoat Theatre Company are set to bring theatre to new heights with night-time performances of WB Yeats' play Purgatory atop the world-famous Ben Bulben, with the help of Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue on Saturday 18 July.

The performances at the 526 meter high summit take place as part of A Country Under Wave, Blue Raincoat's summer-long Festival celebrating the theatre of WB Yeats, who was born 150 years ago this year.

A Country Under Wave will continue in Sligo town and county until 8 August, with 60 individual events including outdoor and indoor performances, exhibitions and archeological talks.

Speaking about the project, Blue Raincoat Director Niall Henry said, "We were overwhelmed with the turn out for our first Festival event on summer solstice, a performance of On Baile's Strand on Streedagh Beach which drew 500 people, and a sold out week of readings has followed. There is a huge appetite for these plays and we're delighted to see audiences engaging with the theatre of WB Yeats. There's real excitement about these productions, particularly the night time event on Ben Bulben which we couldn't have made a reality without the help of Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue, who will guide audiences - mountaineer and theatre enthusiast alike - to the top. It promises to be a truly spectacular event!"

Blue Raincoat Theatre Company have been performing the work of the world-famous poet and playwright since 2009 and two years ago, began to bring his work to the Sligo landscape, setting the plays WB Yeats within the dramatic geographical features that inspired them.

The Festival kicked off with an open-air production of On Baile's Strand on Sunday 21 June, summer solstice, to a crowd of 500 on Streedlagh Beach and over the August Bank holiday will see all 26 of Yeats' plays brought to the great outdoors and into the Sligo landscape. Blue Raincoat are working with 26 groups who will perform the plays at different locations in the countryside throughout Co Sligo over one weekend (1 & 2 August).

Other Festival highlights include an outdoor production At the Hawk's Well at O'Rourke's Table on 8 August, and plays at Blue Raincoat's home space, The Factory - At the Hawk's Well (6-17 July) and The Only Jealousy of Emer (27 July - 7 August).

Tickets for all shows can be booked with Blue Raincoat Theatre Company on www.blueraincoat.com or by phoning 071 917 0431.

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