‘Curtains up’ time at Rearcross
Drama group return with ‘The Cripple of Innismaan’
It’s ‘curtains up’ time for one of the most experienced and talented drama groups in the region as members finalise rehearsals for a welcome return to the stage after a lapse of three years.
Since 2019, Rearcross Drama Group, like every other society in the country, have been grounded under Covid-19 restrictions, but there is a definite spring in their step ahead of their return behind the footlights next week.
They have chosen Martin McDonagh's ‘The Cripple of Innismaan’ for their 2023 production, which opens at the Community Hall, Rearcross on Friday week, February 17, for a four-night run that is expected to be a sell-out.
The show will run on Friday and Saturday week, February 17 and 18, and the following week, Friday and Saturday, February 24 and 25.
The production has been selected for the Tipperary Drama Festival at Holycross - one of the leading annual drama festivals in the country - where they are scheduled to perform on Tuesday, March 21.
Production is in the capable hands of Prof Gerry Boyle, who, for the first time, is also taking a lead role in the cast, playing the character of ‘Johnnypateenmike’ a great man for the bit of local gossip.
A sneak preview during rehearsal last week revealed that the audiences are in for the usual special treat from a super cast. There isn't a weak link in the cast of ten, but the power of Gerry Boyle's performance is set to make him odds on to shine as star of the show.
‘The Cripple of Innismaan’ is described as a dark comedy from the award-winning author of ‘The Banshee of Inisherin’, Martin McDonagh.
The play is set on the island of Inishmaan, off the west coast of Ireland, where there is not that much to do. A young man named Billy, who is physically handicapped, wants to leave, as everyone there, even his aunts Kate and Eileen, calls him ‘Cripple Billy’.
When a Hollywood film crew shows up on the island, Billy sees his chance to escape. He goes with the film crew to the United States, only to learn that it is not everything he dreamed it would be.
Aaron McMahon plays the title role of ‘Billy Claven’, the crippled boy in the family, a challenging part which he masters superbly, while Paudi Ryan compliments him to perfection.
Three cast members of the same family are Michael Corcoran, his wife, Joan and daughter, Siobhan (Hogan) who play as ‘Babbybobby Bennett’, ‘Eileen Osbourne’ and ‘Helen McCormick’ respectively and they are all as competent on stage as the school teaching family would be in the local classroom.
Long standing performers, who have consistently delighted their audience, Sarah Nolan, and Nancy Caplis are true to their usual high standard again as ‘Mammy’ and ‘Kate Osbourne’, while the seasoned, Tommy Dwyer as ‘Dr McSharry’ tries to solve all their confusing ills and Martin Murphy, the local farmer and former National President of the Irish Hereford Breed Society in real life, completes the lineout as the ‘Egg man’.
Rearcross Drama Group, under the production skills of Gerry Boyle, have staged some outstanding productions, with minimal change to the cast over the years.
Their combined stage experience and capability is talent rich and with their love of drama running in their blood, the audiences can sit back and enjoy once again when the ‘curtains up’ marks their return to stage as the footlights illuminate again at Rearcross next week.