The Cloonacool Players, from south Sligo, are taking to the stage again at the end of October after a break of several years. The excellent work turned out by the south Sligo drama group over the years was interrupted by the Covid-19 crisis of recent times.
This year the group is making a bid for All-Ireland glory with an entry in the One Act Drama Festival circuit. Peadar Conway will direct the play, The Quiet Land, by Malachy McKenna. The play stars experienced and award-winning local actors, Dennis Ross and Martin McIntyre. The piece is a modern rural play about the challenges of today’s world for two aging farmers. In early November, this play will have its first competitive outing at the Tubbercurry One Act Festival.
Not content with putting on one play, the group decided to run a second one-act play as a companion piece to go with the first. Both plays will form the basis of a full-length local show. The second play is Spreading the News by Lady Gregory. This is a period play, in contrast to the other, and is set in a pre-independent Ireland over 100 years ago. The theme of the play is the danger of gossip and while the play is old the message it contains is as relevant today as it was back in Lady Gregory’s time. This play is directed by Pat McCarrick.
The Cloonacool Players have developed quite a reputation in recent decades with countless productions that entertained local audiences and achieved substantial success on local and national festival circuits. The group is delighted to welcome back old stalwarts such as Tom Towey, Mary K Johnston and John McIntyre in 2023 and is doubly pleased to welcome new members to their group such as Michael Henry, Moya McCarrick and Ciara Kivlehan.
Both plays will be performed in Cloonacool Community Centre on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, October 26, 27 and 29, at 8pm nightly.
The long absence of this group from the local drama scene will ensure full houses. Booking is not necessary but early attendance is recommended. A quality night of drama is guaranteed.
