Bonniconlon Drama Society stages comedy classic

Bonniconlon Drama Society will present the hilarious three-act comedy, Stop It Nurse, later this month – and with a three-night run that is sure to have audiences rolling in the aisles!

The comedy, written by Northern Irish playwright Sam Cree, is directed by Tom Doherty and takes place in The Grove Hall on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 20, 21 and 22.  

This comedy classic follows the tale of hospital patients Bert Cooper (Colin Highfield) and Harold Smiley (Mitch Commane). The play opens with Cooper and Smiley sharing a ward. The former has a few marital issues and the latter, suffers from a weak bladder – but they have one thing in common: they are both cantankerous and crabby! Life in the ward isn’t too bad – well that is until Bonniconlon GAA supporter Sam McCracken (Jerome Tuohy) and Ardnaree Sarsfields fanatic Felix Devlin (Niall Langan) are admitted. As the men get to know each other, sparks – and a few other things – start to fly!

The action gets really interesting with the addition of the sports commentator (John Devlin) and the caustic Sister Louise (Nikki Lawrence) who is nothing if not stern in her command of the hospital ward. People-pleaser Nurse Holmes (Elaine Mullarkey) and Student Nurse Freda (Shannon O’Malley) attempt to keep things upbeat; but with the introduction of Miss Cherry (Evie Murphy) life at the ward gets very interesting indeed! Added to that, the influences of a few choice women, namely Bert’s wife Martha Cooper (Margaret Devine); Phyllis Russell (Sarah Murray Durcan); and her friend Susan (Angela McAndrew) and the very colourful Dolores Maxwell (Peggy Kelly), and the stage is set for some hilarious moments and mix-ups! And to top it all off the comically named Mad McGurk (Sean Tolan) really brings the ward to life – and attempts to put some manners on the patients in the process. With such an array of characters and chaos, Stop It Nurse is non-stop madness and mayhem!

Director Tom Doherty paid tribute to the cast and crew who have been rehearsing for months to prepare for the show.

“This year we have six new members who we extend a very warm welcome to. With new faces comes new energy and it is just brilliant to see such a level of interest in our drama society. But of course we are blessed with our more experienced cast members too who continue to volunteer their time and energy year in year out. Barbara Ginley and Jo Greavy are assisting with the direction and on the night, Peter Boyd is acting as MC.” 

A production like this; while driven by a few key people, truly is a community project.

“This really is a community effort and we are so lucky to have huge support, particularly the ICA, Bofield/Bonniconlon Community Employment Scheme and our extensive backstage crew. I have to thank the Show Committee for the use of The Grove and of course our chairperson and stage manager, Raymond Devine, for transforming it into a local hospital - for three nights only! 

"There are countless people helping us out to bring this production from page to stage. Sincere thanks to Gerry Curley for our programme, Mark Murphy for posters/signs and Cormac O’Malley for social media; and of course our generous raffle sponsors too who have once again come out to support us.” 

Stop it Nurse comes hot on the heels of Pretend Sick, the 2025 sell-out performance and Bonniconlon Drama Society has now become renowned for its fresh take on comedies. It is an approach the group is proud of. 

“Comedies give audiences a chance to switch off and have a laugh," said Tom, "so we are very much looking forward to welcoming our audiences and hoping they will do just that. Leave the world behind for an evening of laughter."

Doors open at The Grove (F26 H426) at 7.15pm nightly with curtain up at 8pm. Tickets €12 on the door (cash only). Raffle nightly.