Imagine being enveloped by the eerie silence of Ireland's ancient peat bogs, where the air is thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying vegetation. Welcome to 'Distillation', a mesmerising theatrical experience that plunges you into the heart of these 10,000-year-old landscapes. Conceived by writer and performer Luke Casserly, this immersive journey currently has audiences spellbound at The Crypt at St Luke’s in Cork.
At the centre of this sensory odyssey is the circular table, its surface adorned with dried peat that invites you to touch, engage, and surrender to the experience. As Casserly guides you through a 50-minute journey, the soundscape transports you to the Irish midlands, where he grew up, alongside tastes and tantalising aromas of soil, moss, and peat smoke. The pièce de résistance is a specially crafted perfume by artist Joan Woods, which attempts to bottle the essence of these mystical bogs.
'Distillation' delves into the seismic cultural and environmental shifts transforming Ireland's bogs. Casserly witnessed these changes firsthand during his return to County Longford during the Covid-19 pandemic. From traditional turf harvesting to the emergence of protected, biodiverse habitats crucial for carbon capture – even making way for wind farms in some areas – this performance artfully navigates the complexities of this transition.
Through a reimagined conversation with Casserly's father, who was once involved in peat harvesting, 'Distillation' poses the poignant question: what are we losing as these landscapes evolve? The production masterfully balances an ecological meditation with an inquiry into cultural memory, suggesting that even monumental change can manifest as a form of grief.
A co-production between Dublin's Abbey Theatre and Solas Nua in Washington DC, 'Distillation' has already made waves internationally since its debut in 2023, touring the US and Canada. Its current run in Cork reflects a growing artistic focus on Ireland's bogs, highlighting their enduring significance in the nation's heritage and future.