Ardcroney Players back on stage
Six-day run for new comedy
The Ardcroney Players return to the stage with their 2025 production commencing on Friday, February 21.
Coincidentally, following last year’s successful offering of Lucky Numbers, they return to a lottery theme with Billy Canning’s comedy, Through the Chair.
The plot revolves around a group of customers of the local pub, Maher’s Bar, who decide to formalise their lotto syndicate and, under the guidance of recently retired teacher, Dan Bates (Noel Coonan), they adopt a new constitution which includes Dan’s “ingenious” method of selecting numbers.
But will Dan’s new system bring the desired results? While some might be impressed with Dan’s insistence of having “a bit of structure” to their meetings there are those who are less than impressed. The pub’s proprietor, Eddie Maher (Michael Cleary), local Garda Maurice (Joe Mulcahy) and the group’s most youthful member, Jim Flynn (Kevin Oakley) are willing to humour Dan, but the contrary Mossy Jones (Denis Darcy) is anything but cooperative.
There’s always one. But is Mossie’s issue really with Dan or is there something from their distant past behind their obviously bad relationship with each other? As if things weren’t strained enough the syndicate is hit with an unexpected resignation and sparks fly when efforts are made to find a suitable replacement.
Enter the ladies. Eddie’s recently recruited barmaid, Sheila (Geraldine White) is causing quite a stir making her quite popular with the customers but poor Eddie seems blissfully unaware of her flirtatious advances. Jim’s girlfriend, Mary (Julie Reddan) is about to embark on a new adventure but what affect will her departure have on Jim and the rest of the group?
What will Jim’s widowed mother, Cathy (Martina Cleary) make of his unexpected intentions and will Mary’s mother, Helen (Stella Heffernan), become a new-found friend? Or perhaps the effervescent Nuala Noonan (Pat Carey) is the one to come to the rescue. After a life of living it up will “woman of the world” Nuala decide to settle down (if indeed that’s what she really wants to do)?
All these questions and more will be answered in the fullness of time during a six-night run commencing on Friday, February 21, and continuing on Saturday (February 22), Sunday (February 23), Wednesday (February 26) and Friday (February 28) with a final performance on Saturday, March 1.
Proceeds from the opening night will be donated to the Ardcroney Tidy Towns Committee who are hoping a full house will show appreciation for the work they have been doing in the village for many years.
TICKET DETAILS
Curtain is up nightly at 8pm and patrons will be treated courtesy of the usual Ardcroney hospitality, to complimentary refreshments after the show. The best value around, show and supper for just €10.Advance booking is strongly advised and is now available at 086 0525045 daily between 6pm and 8pm. Early booking advised to avoid disappointment.
TOP LEFT: Ardcroney Players have been rehearsing for their new show. Front: Julie Reddan, Geraldine White, Pat Carey, Martina Cleary, Stella Heffernan Back: Joe Mulcahy, Denis Darcy, Michael Cleary, Noel Coonan, Kevin Oakley.