we like it when it is windy: Article for Panorama, report on play Dancing at Lughnasa

*Report from the play Dancing at Lughnasa*

*Glencullen Musical and Dramatic Society*

*DancingInKitchen.jpg *

*From L to R: Emma Smith(Maggie), Ruth Fitzsimon(Kate), Saoirse

Doyle(Rose), Sabina Bonnici(Agnes), Eimear Slattery(Christina)*

*There was a very busy weekend for all cast and production team on 6-7
April. Preparation for building of the set and collecting and creating
of costumes and props had been ongoing for weeks. Set materials and
props and everything needed were transported to the Theatre and after a
flurry of building and painting a lovely 1930s kitchen appeared. *

*Our fantastic set received much praise from all quarters. The set
consisted of one part inside the kitchen of the Mundy house and the
other part outside in the garden. It was constructed by Tom Ronayne(also
designed) and Colm Mac Ghiolla Phadraig who built up the house, fitted
in the large furniture items and laid down real grass sod and a gravel
path for the garden. The grass was tended with loving care after each
performance receiving light watering and trim using the working antique
lawn-mower which was also used as prop on-stage each night. *

*Aoife Ryan was stage manager for this play and she organised a large
number of props. The set was dressed very well with in many cases real
1930s Ireland items dug out from storage by friends and family.*

*It was then time to focus completely on lines and acting again. Bernard
Doyle as director passionately attended to every detail from acting to
details of the props. Dress rehearsal was held on Monday night. The play
had come together but as ever there was a lot to work on. For opening
night on Tuesday the final touches to set and props were just finished.
The audience numbers were low on the first night however word spread and
there was very good attendance and wonderful reaction from the audiences
to the action on stage through the week.*

*Each of the Mundy sisters had quite a different character. Ruth
Fitzsimon as Kate the school teacher was excellent as the strict head of
house. She could cut the others dead with a rased eyebrow. Emma Smith as
Maggie was a strong and entertaining character playing tricks with the
boy Michael and going wild with dancing and flour and her wild
woodbines. Saoirse Doyle as the more simple-minded Rose was very
convincing and gave the character a lovely simple and fun nature yet
with deeper feelings suppressed like all the other sisters. Sabina
Bonnici as Agnes and Eimear Slattery as Christina played more gentle and
somewhat serious sisters though also breaking out into fun. Liam
Corrigan played the role of Father Jack to a tee particularily good when
telling the engaging stories of his experiences in Africa. Brendan
Phelan was very entertaining as the charming Michael Evans the Welshman
who charmed audience as well as more than one sister. Peter O'Brien as
Michael the boy pulled the whole story together and put a distinctive
tone at start and end of each act with the narration of his memories of
that last Summer.*

*We had a great week in the Mill Theatre with Dancing at Lughnasa. A big
thank you to all who contributed to making the show happen and another
big thank you to all our supporters and everyone who came to see the
show. Together we make some amazing things happen! Next on the agenda is
our AGM and we will be back planning for a musical and more productions
later on this year. *

*Unfortunately one of our members has suffered illness in their family.
Our hopes and prayers are with all in the family at this time. Our
thoughts are also with the family of Tommy Dargan who passed away
recently after a long illness. Tommy joined Glencullen Musical and
Dramatic Society in 1986. He took part in numerous productions,
including /Arsenic and Old Lace, Scrooge, A Funny Thing Happened On The
Way To The Forum, Hatchet, Silver Wedding/ and many many more. On-stage
and off-stage he was character and a delight to be with. He will be
sorely missed by everyone who knew him.*

*Brendan Phelan is on stage again very soon with Sandyford Little
Theatre in Rebecca. A radio play . . . for theatre! 8-11 May in the Mill
Theatre. Break a leg Brendan! *

*More Photographs:*

*MichaelAndAuntMaggie.JPG *

*Emma Smith as Maggie and Peter O'Brien as Michael. Congratulations to
Peter and Emma who will be marrying later this year!*