Rosemount Drama Group impress at Tuar Árd

75 years on, the current members of the Rosemount Drama Group have certainly lived up to the proud history of their group. A lovely programme recalled some of the key moments and some of the key people involved in the history of the group which put on its first play in the Old School Hall in Rosemount under the direction of Fr Jennings. The year was 1937 and The Eloquent Dempsey was the name of the play. The group lapsed for a number of years but revived again with names like TJ Grennan, Ethna Kelly and Nora Carroll featuring. Michael Carton produced twelve plays for the group and won many awards at local drama festivals. We are told that the first production in the current Community Centre was 'The Marriage Plan' which took place in 1978. The Jackie Madden connection was born in recent years and with cast and crew members telling me that Jackie is a very demanding, a perfectionist, it is no wonder that the current production 'Many Young Men of Twenty' is right up with the best this group has ever produced. The choice of play was very apt. The atmosphere in the country in the early sixties as portrayed in this play could easily be transposed to the present day. The theme of emigration and sadness are recurring with an alarming regularity. Ryanair has probably lessened the sense of loneliness for UK travellers, although the Canadian and Australian based travellers could easily relate to the nineteen sixties situation as portrayed. The story of the emigrants is told with plenty of humour. A very strong performance from John Keenan as Danger Mulally set the standard for the group. Bernie Boland as Peg Finnerty had the chance to show her wide range of talents as she acted, sang and played the guitar with great aplomb. There were many strong performances but special mention must go to two of the younger members of the cast, Padraig Fox and Fiona Boland who were superb, causing great merriment and laughter as they played their parts with great style and panache. Liz Keenan as Seelie Hannigan was very easy to dislike, her strong voice left no room for argument. Joe Farrell and David Geoghegan were excellent as the downtrodden Tom and the likeable Kevin; Colm Boland as Dawheen Timmineen Din was a perfect slieveen, ably assisted by his equally grasping wife Maynan (Eileen Kelly). Ruairí Smyth and Michael Mc Cormack managed to bring real aggression to their moment of confrontation. Hughie Slevin as Aloysius never had as little to say, however the expression said it all. Owen O'Reilly did well as the much bullied Johnny. The travelling players, led by a horrible Kitty Curley (Stephanie Casey), supported by Josie Adamson and Daniel Boland and the dancing Jo Carberry all contributed to the success of the evening. Terry Keenan and Ciaran Clarke were the debutants who will have enjoyed being part of a very successful team and getting the opportunity to appear at such a young age will no doubt give them a taste for more. As usual for this group the stage itself and all the supporting factors were in place and to the highest standard. Audience reaction was superb, sold out every night tell its own story and all that remains now is to look forward to next years production. Cast: Peg Finnerty, Bernie Boland; Seelie Hannigan, Liz Keenan; Tom Hannigan, Joe Farrell; Aloysius, Hughie Slevin; Danger Mulally, John Keenan; Dawheen Timmineen Din, Colm Boland; Maynan, Eileen Kelly; Kevin, David Geoghegan; Dinny, Padraig Fox; Maurice Browne, Ruairi Smyth; Dot, Fiona Boland; Kitty Curley, Stephanie Casey; Davy, Josie Adamson; Dano, Daniel Boland; Nano, Jo Carberry; JJ Houlihan, Michael McCormack; Johnny, Owen O'Reilly; Mary, Terri Keenan; Mickey, Ciaran Clarke. Sound/Lights: James Buckley. Stage Construction: Eddie Carroll, Johnny McCormack. Continuity: Mary Spellman, Mary Keane, Laura Keenan, Carol O'Brien. Hair and Makeup: Sarah Boland, Ann-Marie Boland. Produced by Jackie Madden.