‘THE PLAY’ STILL CREATES HUGE INTEREST IN THE AVONDHU READERSHIP AREA

It is heartening to see that drama is truly alive and well in and around The Avondhu area. The past year saw some great full-length plays that, we can safely say, gave great entertainment to the hundreds of people who went along to support and enjoy them.

While a number of groups partake in festival competitions, it must be said the Castlelyons one-act drama competition has become the catalyst that encourages a number of other local groups on to the stage each year, turning out a number of new faces in the process.

In the 1980s and 1990s, drama groups assembled within Avondhu Macra na Feirme kept producing new talent and I must say the absence of this competition locally is sorely missed.

In this respect, the Castlelyons festival (and the 123 Festival in West Waterford) has helped fill the void somewhat. Well done to all involved there and we wish you continued success!

Early 2009 saw Conna Dramatic Society take on a really challenging play, that being ‘Portia Coughlan’ from the pen of Marina Carr. Assumpta Mangan took charge here and her cast included Emer Martin, Brendan Hurley, Ann Hurley, James Hyde, Ber O’Sullivan, Peter Barry, Ann Barry, Niamh McCauley, Philip Peet, Liam Hannigan and Daniel Mangan.

The play went on to the festival circuit where the group accounted very well for themselves garnering a first place as well as a number of awards. Staying in East Cork, the Castlelyons-based Barrymore Players undertook Martin McDonagh’s ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’ with Nelius Murphy taking the reins as director. The play was very well received by the loyal local audience.

The South Tipperary community of Duhill (near Clogheen), saw the local dramatic society stage ‘Wake’ at the nearby St Paul’s Community Centre in Clogheen to bring January to a lighthearted close. The Palace Players celebrated 21 years of drama with over 40 plays to their credit.

The group, founded by Liam Howard, took its name from the old Palace Hall in Fermoy where the first production was ‘I Do Not Like Thee Dr Fell’ by Bernard Farrell. The group remained operating from the Youth Centre until 1995 when they found a new home in The Village Arts Centre in Kilworth.

Last spring they staged ‘The Weir’ by Conor McPherson in the Kilworth venue before taking it to various festivals around the country. The cast included Sean Ahern, Dermot Rohan, James Lenane, John Murphy and Noelle Clarke.

In the Co Limerick village of Ardpatrick, The Hillside Players hosted yet another great comedy in ‘Mother Knows Best’ by Jimmy Keary. Directed by Brendan Murphy it had a strong ten-member cast that included Annette Crowley, Tom Murphy, Paul Sheehy, Gareth Beechinor, Joe Cusack, Catherine O’Sullivan, Helen O’Sullivan, Hannah Goggin, Nan Fenton, Lorraine O’Connell and director Brendan Murphy.

Staying in Co Limerick, Friars Gate Theatre in Kilmallock presented their in-house production of Thomas Kilroy’s ‘The Shape of Metal’ over two weekends. The play was directed by Robert Lee and featured Mandy Donworth, Cora Fenton and Eilis Heffernan.

They travelled with the play on the festival circuit where it was very well received and won a number of awards. Down West Waterford way, Jack Aherne and Brideview Drama took on Colm Toibin’s debut play, ‘Beauty in a Broken Place’ in February.

This was a historical drama recalling the people and events surrounding the 1926 premiere of Sean O’Casey’s controversial drama, ‘The Plough and the Stars’. The cast included Vanessa Hyde, Donal Howard, Kate Murphy, Irene Kelleher, Aisling McDonnell, Kevin Roche, Rachel O’Connell, Tomas Roche and John Baldwin.

Back in South Tipp, Emly Variety Players chose ‘Too Close To Home’, a three act comedy written by Jimmy Keary as their 2009 production and the cast of nine included Jonas Callanan, Brid Condon, Paddy Heffernan, Mary Condon, Liam Ring, Esther Stokes, Marita Mulhall, David Hennessy and Eanna Quish with Sean McManus in charge of production.

YOUTH

What is truly great is seeing a number of youth groups taking an active role in drama and keeping the tradition alive. At the end of March, they newly formed Trapdoor Youth Theatre took to the stage in Fermoy in their end-of-year production involving both junior and senior members.

The Mitchelstown Young Drama group held their show in mid April, going for a light-hearted and very topical presentation called ‘Money, Money, Money’ based on the musical ‘Mamma Mia’ under their director and mentor, Michael Dennehy.

Down Lismore way, a veritable feast of entertainment was laid on in The Courthouse Theatre at the end of the drama season under the direction of Aislinn Celisse Morrissey over five nights spanning the May bank holiday.

As usual, summertime came and went without any local production. The main reason for this is the difficulties being experienced by producers and directors to get a cast together. While one has some chance in the winter/spring, the summer seems to be a dead duck in this regard.

Mid September saw the newly-formed Hags Bed Theatre Group under director Yvonne Seymour present ‘The Factory Girls’ by Frank McGuinness in Fermoy Community Youth Centre. The cast included Mary Walsh, Mary O’Neill, Emer Martin, Niamh O’Leary, Orla Devlin, Brendan Hurley and Kevin McCormack.

Early November saw the usual rush of events. Lismore Dramatic Society staged John B Keane’s ‘Big Maggie’ in The Courthouse Theatre. This was a hugely enjoyable production under the guidance of James Lenane. Blanaid Hennessy in the title role was capably supported by Jan O’Sullivan, Lucy Hanrahan, Damien Pollard, Andrew England, George Peet and Edward Lynch. Two new plays were premiered in the area during the month of November.

The Galtee Players staged ‘Willpower’ from the pen of Michael Dennehy – a piece that could also carry the title ‘Big Brother Irish-style’ where the possible beneficiaries to a will had to endure a six week live-in at the deceased’s former residence – a two-roomed cottage with no mod-cons whatsoever. And what fun ensued!

The cast included Paul Finn, Batt Power, Sarsfield Fitzgerald, Jim Flynn, Orla Arnold, Tommy O’Donoghue, Pamela O’Sullivan, Eimear Tierney and Michael Dennehy himself. You can expect this play to do the rounds again over the next few months!

The Palace Players staged ’Letter From America’, a play loosely based on a true story from the pen of Liam Howard. The play which is evenly laced with comedy and drama and, being set in 1957, is very much in the ‘old style’.

The comedy factor ensured it was well received with audiences generally while those who prefer the more serious side of drama, were also catered for. The seven strong cast included Kate Murphy, Alison Lewis, John Murphy, Dermot Rohan, Colm Ahern, Sean Ahern and Ber O’Sullivan.

This play will be back again in February as it is to be a festival contender. Brideview Drama brought us a very polished production of ‘Pied a Terre’ written by US heart surgeon and playwright, John Anastasi. This will also be a festival contender in 2010 and should do well on the festival circuit.

Directed by Jack Ahern it stars Irene Kelleher, Eddie Kelly and Vanessa Hyde. Ballynoe’s Ogham Players, under the reins of Liz Hannigan, staged ‘Harvest Moon’ in their local hall. The cast of nine included Gemma Barry, Mairead O’Connell, Vicky Norris, Ann Marie Hayes, Phil O’Brien, Pat O’Donovan, Paul Ahern and John Higgins.

Back in South Tipperary, Emly Variety Players staged ‘Mother Knows Best’, a three act comedy by Jimmy Keary that brought Cathal Hayes, Mary Condon, Liam Ring, Marita Mulhall, Esther Stokes, Paudy Heffernan, Brid Condon, Jonas Callanan, Julie Hayes and Nicola Browne to the stage.

In these early days of 2010, it’s good to see Ballyduff Drama Group back in action as they rehearse John Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice And Men’ while we also hear that Glanworth Players are in rehearsal for a production in the not too distant future.

So as we look forward to another good season of drama and considering the slippery conditions that continue to prevail, dare we say - break a leg?

JOHN SPILLANE TO OPEN KILWORTH SEASON

Cork’s own John Spillane (left) is on the crest of a wave at the moment and has been now for some time. The TV gurus seem to have taken kindly to him (at last) and this has given him immense exposure throughout the country.

John will play the opener of The Village Arts Centre’s 2010 programme on Saturday, January 23. Tickets are now on sale at the usual outlets.

John has just released a new CD - ‘More Irish Songs We Learned at School’ which features guests such as Christy Moore and Sean O Se!

With the help of the energetic young singers from Colaiste Choilm and Gaelcolaiste Choilm, John has put together an album that will bring back memories of learning many of the songs at school.

Booking at The Avondhu office, Fermoy (025-32227), Hyland’s Bookshop, Mitchelstown (24528); Cotter’s Kilworth (27109) and 087-6492514.

WELCOME TO 2010 AND AN EXCITING 12 MONTHS OF FUN FROM BRIDEVIEW DRAMA!

The last two weeks of this month see Brideview Drama’s first production for the year, a hilarious farce called ‘Tom, Dick and Harry’ by Ray Cooney, very well directed by David Murphy. As with all good farces, it has a simple but really funny plot.

Tom (played with great fun by Will Motherway) and his wife, Linda (the ever-lovely Audrey Sheehan) are dying to adopt a baby, and are awaiting a visit from the scary adoption agency inspector, Mrs Potter (the amusingly horrible Mary Curley).

However, the loving couple’s plans are totally thrown by the sudden and unnecessary arrival of Tom’s two scheming but idiotic brothers, Dick and Harry. Dick is a livewire Delboy-type, played by Sean Tobin, while the part of Harry sees James Hyde perfectly cast as a complete thicko.

All sorts of silly shenanigans ensue as these two introduce illegal substances, smuggled immigrants (Tomas Roche as the doting and dotty Andreas, and Emer Martin as the gorgeous peasant daughter, Katerina), dead bodies and a criminal mastermind from Albania (the gun-wielding Martin Sheehan). Everything combines to nearly derail Tom and Linda’s desperate plans to start a family.

Suitable for all the family, the show also throws in a bullying but clueless cop, ably played by John Roche. The whole club has swung behind the production. Backstage management is by Sarah Allen and Anne Gough (in from Conna for her first outing with Tallow drama), with set construction by James Aherne, Mike Hunt, Peter Sealey and Jack Aherne. Costumes and props are, as ever, very well put together by Frances Tobin and Judy Burton.

On Thursday to Saturday nights, January 21-23 and 28-30 (at 8.15pm), ‘Tom, Dick and Harry’ includes free refreshments as always, a great raffle and much laughter. You don’t need to book, as tickets will available on the door.

So just forget your post-budget, deep-winter, icy-roaded blues: come along and enjoy a fun evening out!