Live the life of Mabel and walk in her castle

Live the life of Mabel and walk in her castle

7 October 2015

WITH its dramatic lakeside views and mountain back, Castlewellan Castle enjoys one of Down’s most enviable settings.

Until now, 19th century life behind the Scottish baronial-style doors could only be imagined, but a new art production is offering a glimpse through the eyes of one of its most famous residents — Lady Mabel Annesley.

Mabel is an original new co-production between Kabosh Theatre Company and Down Arts Centre, with acclaimed actress Maria Connolly as Mabel, leading her audience through the grounds and castle in a theatrical promenade-style performance.

This mix of drama, music, fact and fiction traces her travels across the world as well as bringing to life the home she loved so dearly and the art she created helped by the beauty of the Mournes.

Professionally, Mabel was a very successful watercolour artist and woodcutter, inspired by the family pets and animals around the estate as well as the County Down landscape. Her work is in many collections including the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Gallery of Canada.

But the performance of Mabel will also provide an insight into her personality — her affection for her parents, her feelings for her stepmother, the story of how she fell in love and a taste of the eccentric and colourful friends and family members that made up her fascinating life.

A thriving Christian conference centre currently occupies Castlewellan Castle, but the owners are allowing part of the building, which dates back to 1856, to be used for the event.  The grounds, parlour, stairs and old library are all set to feature, with some of their original period features.

Kabosh director Paula McFetridge said it was rare to have the opportunity to wander round the corridors and rooms that Mabel would have frequented and to see the views that inspired her.

She explained that it was actress Maria Connolly who first came up with the idea for the Mabel production after a family caravan holiday near the castle. An Arts Council grant and commission soon followed.

“She saw an Ulster History plaque honouring Mabel and was asking people if they could tell her about this woman,” said Paula. “She then found a book about Mabel and started to do some research.

“Basically so little is known about her.”

Paula added that Mabel was known locally to have “adored the castle and the people of the castle” and to have been devoted to her art work.

“Once she was quite ill with a spinal injury and spent a long time on a stretcher in her room,” said Paula. “She was so frustrated.”

The Mabel story will be based on fact but fiction will be introduced through the third character — a fictional engineer apprenticed to Percy French who assisted in the building and landscaping of the impressive Annesley Gardens.

Shifts in narrative will be inspired by song, location and photographic images.

Paula has extended thanks to Andrew Foreson from the Centre Ministries conference centre for his help, the Mourne Heritage Trust, Castlewellan Futures and those who provided historical assistance, such as consultant Dr Sally Montgomery.

“It is an incredible building Castlewellan Castle,” said Paula. “When we do work like this it is about the community coming on board to support us.”

The stunningly beautiful Castlewellan Castle was commissioned and built in 1856 by William Richard Annesley, the fourth Earl Annesley, as his main residence and home.

Castlewellan Forest Park is only a small part of the original estate acquired in 1741 by Lord William Annesley from the Magennis family. This estate stretched from Slieve Croob to Slieve Donard, taking in Castlewellan and part of Newcastle.

The castle was in the Annesley family for 111 years, finally passing from Lady Mabel to her son Gerald Francis Annesley, before it was sold to the Department of Agriculture in 1967.

Performances of Mabel take place between October 27 and 29 at 11am, 12,30pm, 3pm and 4.30pm and on November 7 and 14 at 1pm and 3pm. Tickets at £7.50 are available from Down Arts Centre on 028 4461 0747.