Current Season - 2008/2009

Fall - The Warrior Bard

by Jonathan Lynn

Synopsis

2007/08 is the 200th anniversary of the publication of the first collection of Thomas Moore's 'Irish Melodies'. This music that was the 'top of the pops' for the following 30 years was the ancient music of Ireland. Moore had simply written new words. Their success dispelled the prejudice against 'Papist savages' and opened the door for Catholic Emancipation. Though lobbied by Daniel O'Connell, Moore declined to allow his name to be put forward for election in 1832 and his patriotism has been questioned ever since. It is now time to celebrate that music that charmed the world 200 years ago and still lives today. Mindful too that 'the pen is mightier than the sword', it is also time to reconsider Thomas Moore as an Irish patriot; a Warrior Bard.

From middle to old age, Moore and his wife Bessy look back on the influences that shaped him: the revolutionary times of his youth, his mother, his schoolmate Robert Emmet and his soul mate Lord Byron. The cast of 7 (4 male, 3 female) is supplemented by singers who weave 14 songs into the drama.

CAST

Moore at 17/24,
Mother at 40/47
Moore at 53/73
Molly (housekeeper) at 50/57
Lord Byron at 36
Bessy (Moore’s wife) at 35/55
Robert Emmet at 18/25

This work is a work in progress. You can get a copy of the script from a committee member.

Spring - A Skull in Connemara

by Martin McDonagh

A Skull In Connemara was first performed as part of The Leenane Trilogy alongside The Beauty Queen of Leenane and The Lonesome West.

Synopsis

Despite the fact that he saw his wife die at the wheel of their car, Mick Dowd coped with the inquests and can live with the persistent local rumours. But Mick is also the local grave digger and, when the village graveyard is full, he is the one who has to dig to make room for the new tenants. The trouble is, this time, more than old bones come to the surface.

Cast

3 males, 1 female.