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THE LYRIC FEATURE – Common Ground

Leni Sloane pic by Erin Baiano Image Name: Leni Sloane pic by Erin Baiano Description: Leni Sloane pic by Erin Baiano

Producer J.J. O`Shea explores the controversial era of Blackface Minstrelsy and the key role of Irish performers in America`s first popular cultural form. All through the nineteenth century performers of Irish descent danced, sang and played their way to stardom on the American popular stage. Minstrel shows, Variety Theatre and Vaudeville opened their doors to the Irish and welcomed them in ways that few other professions did in the 1800s in America. Minstrelsy was also from its very inception an important cultural weapon and helped create and diffuse racial stereotypes of African Americans. In this programme Irish Musician and folklorist Mick Moloney and African-American choreographer Leni Sloan acknowledge that history while also looking at the development of minstrelsy as an artistic form which fused elements of Irish and African-American song, dance and music to create an entirely new theatrical phenomena.

A J.J.O’Shea production for RTÉ lyric fm, funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland from the Television Licence Fee.

RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 18th March, 6pm-7pm