by Ashley Steed~
Company: Theatre Banshee
Neighborhood: Burbank – Magnolia Park
Address: 3435 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505
(corner of Magnolia and Avon)
Website: www.theatrebanshee.org
Seat capacity: 60-72
When founded: 1995
Parking: Ample free, safe, street parking
Handicap accessible: Yes
Restrooms: Two – one is HC accessible
Amenities: Brand new theater-style seating, full compliment of light and sound gear including computer-controlled systems for both. Central heating and air.
Lobby: Spacious, wood floor, plenty of room for concessions.
Concessions: Banshee productions feature a selection of intermission concessions including the celebrated Banshee Brownie (so good, folks often take one to go.)
What’s nearby:
- Porto’s Bakery: 3614 W Magnolia Blvd – about one block west of Banshee. Great bakery with delicious food and treats.
- Urban Eats: 3501 W Magnolia Blvd – right next to the theatre. Great place to grab a bite to eat before the show.
- The Snug: 4108 W Magnolia Blvd – about six blocks west of Banshee. Popular pub for company members to grab a post show pint.
What’s on: Just closed the critically acclaimed US Premiere of Jimmy Murphy’s The Kings of the Kilburn High Road. Next is the US Premiere of The Cavalcaders, a new Irish play by Billy Roche; running July 10 through the end of August.
The piercing keening of the banshee in Irish folklore forewarns certain ancient Irish families of death. She can appear as an old crone or a beautiful young woman, but her wail is always haunting. The cry of the banshee stirs a visceral reaction in everyone who hears it. This visceral reaction is what Theatre Banshee embodies.
Theatre Banshee was founded by Sean Branney and Leslie Baldwin in the spring of 1995. After some disappointing experiences in 99 seat theatres, they came to the conclusion that the best way to have the kind of experiences they were looking for as artists was by creating their own company. “I was in the worst Othello ever imaginable,” laughs Branney. “I thought, there’s got to be a better way to do this!” He continues, “Originally we just wanted to put on a show. The first show was Eclipse, which was a huge success.”
Banshee strives to deliver an unforgettable entertainment experience. They produce demanding shows that inspire the audience to think and feel. “We specialize in the plays and playwrights of Ireland,” say Branney, “but we’ll produce any play that will knock our audience’s socks off.”
The repertoire has never been solely Irish. “It would be limiting to do only Irish work,” he admits. Typically they do three productions a year, one of which is by an Irish playwright or has an Irish theme. “What makes Irish theatre so compelling,” says Branney, “is that Irish stories tend to be ones where you laugh to keep from crying. That’s how they cope. This works great theatrically. We are attracted to plays that are as heartbreaking as they are rib tickling. There’s double edge quality. It is that kind of tone that we try to embody.”
Branney reveals that the power in Theatre Banshee’s longevity is that the company hasn’t really evolved or changed. “It’s about making great theatre for it’s own sake. And having the experience of making theatre,” he says. “That has remained our mission and over the years we have found members who also believe in that mission. It’s the underlying ethic, which has really helped in creating our identity. We’re about what’s right here and now.”
Theatre Banshee is a very small company whose membership is by invitation only. Members are only invited to join the company after they complete a production with the company – if there’s a good fit between the artist and the company. By keeping the size of the company very small, they’re able to maintain a company of highly skilled professional actors who thrive in Banshee’s artistic family. There are currently about thirty members. Members don’t pay dues, but are required to contribute time and effort in support of the company on an ongoing basis.
Banshee’s work has been widely critically acclaimed. The company, its members and productions have won Garland, LA Weekly, Ovation and LA Drama Critics Circle awards. The most recent production, The Kings of the Kilburn High Road, was recognized as a Critic’s Choice in the LA Times, a Critic’s Pick in Back Stage West and a “Go!” from the LA Weekly.
“Our productions of Irish works bring out the Irish expatriate and hibernophile audiences in Los Angeles,” “We also enjoy a very regular following of patrons who enjoy the consistently outstanding experience of attending a Theatre Banshee production.
“If you’ve never attended a Theatre Banshee production, you should try just once and see what the company’s all about. Our goal is to ensure that every part of your theatre-going experience is personal, professional and enjoyable,” says Branney. “Going to the theatre is an experience which is much more than just the play. We try to make every part of the experience a positive one. We think about their first contact with us to their last one. We make the experience as personal as possible and really try to cultivate knowing our patrons.” Even the concessions are homemade and fresh.
“If you see a top notch play where the people are friendly, when you leave you think, ‘wow that was a great night out.’ We want going to see a play to sound better than doing something else. That underlying philosophy has also kept us in business over the years.”
When the company is not in production they scour the globe for new plays to produce. The theatre also has a variety of rentals in the venue: classes, workshops, filming, etc. There’s even a full video projection/screen, which is available to screen movies and they rent the space out for parties.
Theatre Banshee works in association with the Center Theatre Groups educational outreach program, P.L.A.Y., to work with students in local schools. Banshee’s own outreach program brings artists into schools in underserved communities. They also work in association with the Here’s To Life Foundation to bring in audience members from halfway houses and other groups for whom live theatre is usually beyond their means. Banshee artists also go into 8th grade classrooms to help students succeed in performing a Shakespeare monologue (part of the 8th grade English standard for the state of California).
The sound, or wail of the banshee is more than just a warning; it’s a call to action. “I like the idea that something happens,” reveals Branney. “It’s a noisy, evocative and thrilling name.” A name in which Theatre Banshee is certainly living up to.
