Drama group to stage John B play
Performances in Newport from April 10 to 13
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The full cast of Newport Drama Group’s coming production of John B Keane’s ‘The Highest House on the Mountain’.Image 2 of 3
John O’Brien, Padraic Kennedy, and Chloe O’Donnell in a scene from Newport Drama Group’s coming production of John B Keane’s ‘The Highest House on the Mountain’.Image 3 of 3
Laura Forde, John Ahern, Liam Byrne. Tom McCabe and Padraic Kennedy in a scene from rehearsals of Newport Drama Group’s production of ‘The Highest House on the Mountain’.A classic in its portrayal of Irish rural life more than three quarters of a century ago, as tensions become ‘electric’ within a farming family split by grudges, dark secrets and shame comes to a local stage next week.
From the prolific pen of Listowel publican and playwright, John B Keane, the three-act play ‘The Highest House on The Mountain’ has been chosen by Newport Drama Group for their 2025 production.
Noted for their many outstanding productions over the years, it's curtains up for the eight members of the cast behind the footlights at the Community Centre, Newport for a four-night run opening on Thursday of next week, April 10, and continuing through each night to conclude on Sunday night, April 13.
The plot centres around Mikey Bannon, a farmer and head of the family being played by Padraic Kennedy of drama and All Ireland winning GAA Senior Scor sketch fame who is always at his best on stage.
He is playing a demanding role, but his experience and talent on stage will ensure another delivery of gold standard as he clashes with disgruntled sons and a daughter in law that does not meet with universal family acceptance.
His son Patrick, a recovering alcoholic, is played by Padraic Kennedy who has shown his talents in previous productions of the group, while his stage wife, Julia is played by Laura Forde, one of the newer stage talents discovered by the group who has a tough role to deliver as her background unfolds to some disapproval.
Liam Byrne, an accomplished man on stage, plays Sonny Bannon, a brother of Mickey's and Mickey's second son, Connie is very well played by John O'Brien.
Frictions break out when Mikey's son Patrick comes to visit with his new wife, Julia, and he is quickly followed by his brother Connie, who sets out to destroy Patrick’s marriage and Mikey’s bond with his brother Sonny.
As the tensions within the family escalate and the family home becomes a dysfunctional place, family members seek the only escape from the final tragedy is to the highest house on the mountain, where those of them who’ve had ‘enough of bitterness’ can take refuge.
The cast is completed by Chloe O'Donnell playing the part of Sheila O'Mahony, John Ahern as the ‘First Countryman’ and Tom McCabe the ‘Second Countryman’.
Production is in the capable care of Tom, who has been star of some previous productions, and author and performer of multi All-Ireland winning Senior Scór Novelty Acts.