Conor Ryan with the Man in the Moon Eoin Dalton, who took part in the Spraoi ‘Light of My Life’ Parade. Photo: Joe Evans

STREET theatre must be the oldest form of theatre known to man. It needs nothing more than a public space, simple costumes, props, a loud theatrical voice… and an audience. And that audience was there in their droves. Spraoi have cultivated and adapted this art form to the city and the huge attendances lapped it up.
What I love about Spraoi is the sense of wonder and delight that happens at corner spaces and squares. It’s just that sense of surprise; of not knowing. Just what is going on here and just what is going on around the next corner? Energy, life and carnival are everywhere.
John Roberts Square, Gladstone St., George’s St., Hanover St. and the Applemarket buzzed with energy and life with French Horseman, of a most superior attitude, trotting by and attacking the crowds. These are horsemen who could look down at you from a bungalow. Well done to Leo the pharmacist who lay on the ground and became a prop for their Olympic training and the butt of their humour… “we think you like too much Guinnnnness”. One of their team, a hygiene consultant tested me out and disinfected me as I failed their test. And GOD bless their vocals as they sauntered and bellowed their way up Gladstone St to inspect what Mario Queen of the Circus had to offer.
Mario Queen of the circus loves Queen and his well-crafted juggling routines were carefully choreographed to Queen soundtracks and the cleverest of witticisms answered the tracking. When one of his props dropped we heard “another one bites the dust” while Barcelona was just a riot of fun. The Teatro del Piedro featuring foot puppetry, which followed Mario, was my favourite of the weekend. This was pure invention with the funniest of storylines told against a constant narrative of puppetry told by foot, knee and heel with the sweetest of bird calls mingled with the madness of parrot calls and explosions! Where do performers get their inventions?
Down in Hanover St., a rather sad Matthias Romir presented a most unique act juggling not only clubs and balls but also all the sorrows, fears and madness of our everyday lives. His act told stories and ended with interruptions such as telephone calls and doorbells. I felt we were witnesses to his pain and insecurities.
Across the road in Garter Lane I was astonished at the SprÓg Art Exhibition completed by the young Spraoi enthusiasts who had attended classes with Brendan Jameson during the week. Astonishing sculptures of fairy tale castles, turrets and arches made entirely from sugar cubes were in the display space; all overlooked by a Toblerone castle. Wandering back up Broad St. kids were getting huge encouragement and advice in adding their tuppenceworth to the Spraoi wall mural.
Down on the Applemarket, I met with Kelly and Scott Sicard from Boston who were enjoying the mayhem of Shiva Gringo alias El Diablo. Somehow the reggae seemed just right for the lad from Berlin in the Donegal tracksuit.
On and on it went. The People’s Park was jammers on Friday and Saturday night. I attended the concerts in Christ Church; the rock concert in the tent outside and the Cologne Chamber Orchestra inside. Don’t miss them if they come again. Afterwards I walked straight into the Spraoi parade with massive skeletons stalking the city dwellers on the Mall. We were back in the middle ages all along the Viking Triangle.
This was street theatre on a grand scale with enormous crowds, fireworks, elaborate costumes and massive sets and props. It just felt great to be from Waterford.