THE STEINBECK CONNECTION

John Ernst Steinbeck was born and raised in Salinas, California. However, as with many great Americans such as John F Kennedy, Henry Ford and George M Cohan we can also lay claim to this famous 20th century writer.

On his first visit to Ireland in 1952, Steinbeck ventured up to Derry in search of his roots. On his return home he noted “Every Irish man – and that means anyone with one drop of Irish blood – sooner or later makes a pilgrimage to the home of his ancestors. I am half Irish, the rest of my blood being watered down with German and Massachusetts English.

But Irish blood doesn’t water down very well; the strain must be very strong. As a child he always aspired to become a great writer. Between the years of 1920 and 1925 Steinbeck attended Stanford University and while there, took classes in writing techniques.

Although John Ernst Steinbeck excelled in writing he lacked the will to achieve in other areas of education.

Unfortunately, Steinbeck never graduated from Stanford. After a brief stint in New York where he failed to establish himself as a free-lance writer, Steinbeck returned to his hometown of Salinas and it was here in this small town that many of his great works were inspired.

For inspiration, he drew not only on the local landscape but on the local citizenry. Steinbeck’s greatness as a writer lies in his empathy for common people, their lowliness, joy, anger and strength, their connection to places and their craving for land.

‘Of Mice And Men’, arguably the best of his short novels owes much of its appeal to Steinbeck’s ability to create these different emotions.

Ballyduff Drama Group’s forthcoming presentation of ‘Of Mice And Men’ will pose many questions for theatre goers. This fine epic is exactly the type of play that will strike a chord with many people.

Set amidst the 1930s depression in rural America we will come face to face with the reality of our own recession in rural Ireland. Steinbeck appeals to our emotions; he evokes sympathy for his principle character in a very clever and subtle way.

Dreams are a significant motif in Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice And Men’. Steinbeck presents a couple of destitute workers driven by a single dream that seems unattainable. However their friendship keeps the dream alive and Steinbeck uses other characters to cause the audience to believe that they might actually succeed in their goals.

Nevertheless, the dream is never fulfilled, and the characters who have counted on it the most are the ones who are the most devastated. The first performance of this classic begins in St Michael’s Hall Ballyduff at 8.15 on the 19th of February.

Book your ticket at 058-60456.

SOME SLIGHT CHANGES TO LETTER FROM AMERICA’S SECOND RUN

Following its very successful debut in November, ‘Letter From America’, the new play from the pen of Liam Howard will be presented once again by The Palace Players in The Village Arts Centre, Kilworth on February 19, 20, 21, 26 and 28 at 8.15pm nightly.

The play returns with a few changes from the original run. The part of Uncle Denis which was so well played by Dermot Rohan, will now be taken by Liam Howard. Unfortunately Dermot is unable to commit to this run which will be followed by seven festival appearances during the month of March.

The ‘Uncle Denis’ character went down a treat on the initial run and those who have already seen the play will be interested to note that an addition to the script sees him introduced again in the first act which has been extended by almost ten minutes.

A trip to or from America or any other part of the world is no great deal in today’s terms but back in the 1950s, those who travelled to such far flung places, in many instances, never again returned.

In ‘Letter From America’ which is set in 1957, the Harrington family anticipate the return of their long lost brother.

Thirty years earlier, not very many years after the Civil War in Ireland, Jimmy Harrington left home following a ‘falling out’ with his father. His departure in 1927 left the family in complete bewilderment and to add further to their anguish, his father would never allow any discussion or mention of his name in his company.

Jimmy’s whereabouts remained a mystery, but thirty years after his leaving, his brother Thady receives a letter from him. As the play opens, Jimmy’s father is gravely ill. His brother Thady (John Murphy), sister Mary (Kate Murphy), step-mother Maggie (Alison Lewis), his uncle Denis (Liam Howard) and nephew Kevin (Colm Ahern) await his return.

We also meet his late mother’s sister, Aunt Ellen (Ber O’Sullivan) who pays her first visit to the Harrington homestead in over twenty years, the reason of which becomes very obvious as the play progresses.

‘Letter From America’ has all the ingredients for a great night’s theatre - plenty of comedy, drama and romance - and just when you think you know how the story is going to pan out, a few unexpected twists make the plot all the more enjoyable.

The play will now be directed by Jim Baylor and the cast is made up as follows: Kate Murphy (Mary), John Murphy (Thady), Alison Lewis (Maggie), Liam Howard (Uncle Denis), Colm Ahern (Kevin), Sean Ahern (Jimmy) and Ber O’Sullivan (Aunt Ellen).

Tickets are now on sale. Special offer Feb 19 only - all tickets €8, all other nights €12/10, available from The Avondhu office, Fermoy on 025-32227; Cotter’s Bar, Kilworth (27109), Hyland’s Bookshop, Mitchelstown (24528) and on 087-6492514.

‘THE GOOD SISTERS’ AT THE OPERA HOUSE

Cork audiences were delighted at seeing their friends, their sisters, their neighbours and themselves during workshop performances of ‘The Good Sisters’ in the Half Moon Theatre in 2008.

Now there will be more opportunities to laugh and cry with the ladies of the Northside, when ‘The Good Sisters’ moves to the main stage at Cork Opera House for its official Irish premiere from Tuesday, Feb 16 to Saturday 20.

From the same team who brought you ‘The Sunbeam Girls’, ‘The Good Sisters’ is a hilarious comedy that offers something for everyone: for lovers of local history, lovers of the 60’s, lovers of in-laws, lovers of inexpensive evenings of entertainment.

It’s the Northside in 1965 and Geraldine Lawlor has won a million Green Shield stamps, the 60s equivalent of striking it rich in the Lotto. She invites the neighbours round for a stamp-licking party.

While Geraldine dreams of things she’s always wanted and can now surround herself with, her sisters and friends become jealous.

An evening of wild and raucous action unfolds. They come for a party and wreak havoc. Into this noisy group come two elderly pious women, who have just come from a removal, and we soon learn that one is hiding a dark secret!

Not to be outdone by the older generation the young ones, who are truly misunderstood in this world of bingo, Confraternity, mortal sin and glasses of Razza are going through their own share of troubles.

‘The Good Sisters’ celebrates women’s ability to put on a brave face, to reach out to anyone in need, to laugh at themselves, to make the most of what they’ve got, to knock the poseurs off their pedestals and pays homage to that greatest of working class passions: bingo!

‘The Good Sisters’, originally written in the late ’60s by Canadian playwright Michel Tremblay, has been given a local twist by the play’s director, Marion Wyatt, who co-wrote and directed ‘The Sunbeam Girls’.

Stage Centre has assembled a brilliant cast of fifteen women, the majority of whom were The Sunbeam Girls, to portray the really desperate housewives who share stories – most funny, some outrageous and others simply sad – and with that the night comes to an explosive end.

Not suitable for children, don’t miss a night of hilarious and moving theatre crammed full of sixties nostalgia and characters. Book online at www.corkoperahouse.ie, telephone bookings: 021-4270022.

CHARITY PERFORMANCE OF ‘IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY’

Duhill Dramatic Society presents ‘It Runs In The Family’, a hilarious comedy written by Ray Cooney and produced by Michael Pollard. This is the group’s 12th production. They already played to a packed house on three nights in early December and this weekend they are performing in Ardfinnan Community Hall for much-needed funds for the South Tipperary Hospice.

There are twelve members in the cast as follows: John O’Gorman plays the part of Dr Mortimer, Oliver Rath (Sir Willoughby), Ned Doyle (Dr Bonney), P J English (Dr Connolly), Pat Ros (Bill), Michael Sweeney (Sargent), Kieran Carroll (Lesley), Majella Carrigan (Mrs Mortimer), Catheriona Berry (Jane), Breda Hennessey (Mrs Bonney), Aisling Quirke or Maureen Murphy (The Nurse) and Lina Ryan (Matron).

The cast are from the catchment area of Ardfinnan, Ballyporeen, Ballylooby, Cahir, Clogheen and Duhill and they are ably supported by Jeannette Wycherley (stage manager) and Jim O’Leary (asst stage manager).

A FEW TICKETS LEFT FOR JON KENNY’S KILWORTH GIG THIS SUNDAY

Because of the change of date for the Jon Kenny gig in Kilworth to this Sunday (please note this was previously advertised for Saturday), a number of tickets have been made available due to cancellations.

The gig had to be cancelled due to a prior commitment that only came to light a week or ten days ago. Jon apologises profusely for the mix up, hopes it will not cause too much inconvenience and promises that Sunday night’s gig will be one to remember.

The Limerick Leader wrote of Kenny: “If you hung him out to dry what you’d find if you looked in the puddle below would be a reflection of rural Ireland over the past few decades, warts and all.”

With an astute eye for the ridiculous in modern life, his performances showcase Jon’s varied talents as actor, stand-up comedian, musician and singer.

Grab one of the last few tickets for Sunday night’s show, just €22.50 each and let some of the sunlight of Kenny’s jokes set you up for the rest of the year!

To book, call The Avondhu office, Fermoy on 025-32227; Cotter’s Bar, Kilworth (025-27109); Hyland’s Bookshop, Mitchelstown (025-24528) or 087-6492514.

BARRYMORE PLAYERS AND ‘SEPARATE BEDS’

Tired of your double bed? Then come and see Barrymore Players in their presentation of ‘Separate Beds’, a hilarious comedy which is planned for March 5, 6 and 7 and again for March 12 and 14 in Castlelyons Community Centre.

This is the group’s three act play for this year and with a cast of very talented actors, this extremely funny play is produced by Alma Fenton and Anne Hegarty with the cast made up of Pat Fenton, Nelius Murphy, Eoin Murphy, Vincent Kearney, Anne Ahern, Jennie O’Flaherty, Ellen Quirke, Martha Maye and Anne Hegarty. ‘Separate Beds’ is sure to have you rolling in the aisles.

The proceeds of the Saturday performance on March 6 will go towards the Haiti earthquake victims’ fund. Tickets for this night are available from any cast member or from any of the Barrymore Players.

SPECTACULAR VARIETY SHOW IN CONNA FOR HAITI

What can only be described as a ‘spectacular variety show’ has been organised for Conna Community Centre for this Saturday night at 8.15pm, the proceeds of which will go to the hugely deserving Haiti fund.

Taking part will be the Castlelyons Gospel Choir, Frank Ryan (tenor), Sarah Barry, the Bride Valley Band, Patsy Ahern (seanchai), Michael Riordan, the local schools and a grand finale sing-along with Johnny Ryan and Co.

Tickets, adults €10, all proceeds to the Haiti fund.

BEAUTY QUEEN’ AT THE EVERYMAN PALACE

‘The Beauty Queen of Leenane’ runs at the Everyman Palace until Saturday, 13th February. The Martin McDonagh hit is presented on this occasion by the London Classic Theatre Co., with a first-rate Irish cast, boasting an impressive range of work in both television drama and quality theatre.

Set in the mountains of Connemara, ‘The Beauty Queen of Leenane’ tells the darkly comic tale of Maureen Folan, a plain, lonely woman in her early forties, and Mag, her manipulative, ageing mother.

When Mag interferes in Maureen’s first, and possibly final, chance of a loving relationship, a train of events is set in motion that leads inexorably towards the play’s terrifying finale. Tickets €25/€20, €7 (students Tue & Wed).

Bookings: 021-4501673 /www.everymanpalace.com. The production contains strong language and is has a recommended age limit of 14+.

IT’S ‘SHOWBOAT’ TIME IN MITCHELSTOWN

Mitchelstown Musical Society are busy fine tuning their performance of ‘Showboat’ which opens on Tuesday, February 16. It’s 4 shows in 5 years for the progressive society who are bowing to public demand by taking on a golden oldie like ‘Showboat’.

“We did a couple of obscure shows which were very well received but people like the tried and trusted and ‘Showboat’ is an all time classic. Rehearsals are going nicely and everyone is putting in a big effort” veteran actor and musician, Seanie Chamberlain, told The Avondhu this week.

With Margot Carlile directing and Christopher Hennessy looking after the brief of musical director the show is in good hands. A huge cast has been brought on board for this lavish production and it promises to be a tremendous spectacle.

The CBS auditorium will host the musical with tickets available from Jim Hyland’s bookstore in Mitchelstown.