Ardagh Players return with another entertaining drama

Ardagh Community Players return to the stage next weekend for what promises to be a highly entertaining run.

Their latest production, a three-act comedy from the pen of renowned Westmeath playwright Jimmy Keary is Marrying Mike, which is brought to life by a gathering of well-known local faces. The local community centre is the venue with three shows pencilled in for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, February 9, 10 and 11 with curtain up at 8pm nightly.

2024 marks 20 years since Ardagh Community Players first production, the John B. Keane classic Sharon’s Grave. it is a significant achievement for a small local group and one they are proud to have reached. Many of the faces have changed in that time both on stage and off. This year is no exception. Eoin Flood makes his first appearance with the group. Back treading the boards after the successful Jimmy Keary comedy, Love Thy Neighbour, in 2023 are Dermot O’Boyle and Cormac Flynn. Also returning are two original cast members from the first production in 2004 and no strangers in Ardagh - Dolores O’Boyle and Mary Martyn. Ten years on from her last performance in Cobweb’s Glory, Donna Murray makes a welcome return. Oisin Finan returns after his debut in The Farm Boy, while the director this year is John O’Hora.

Jimmy Keary’s plays are guaranteed to give a lift in these challenging times and are written with the object of having a good laugh and looking at the lighter side of life. He moves away from the depressing realism and focuses instead on one-liners and uses a range of rural characters.

Marrying Mike will be staged by Ardagh Community Players in Ardagh Community Centre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 9th to 11th. Doors open at 7.30pm and the show gets underway at 8pm.