Playwright enjoys Moate production of his play

It is a rare experience for amateur actors to perform for the author of the play they are putting on. The Lourdes Drama Group enjoyed that honour on Saturday night last when Joe O'Donnell, author of A Keane Sense of Humour, attended the final night of their production in the wonderful Tuar Árd Theatre. The cast was a team of leading men and women, all so talented in their own right, leading actors and actresses in their own groups and all coming together for this production to help raise funds for the Carmelite and St Patrick's Lourdes Invalid Fund's under the guidance of producer Andy Donohoe. Joe O'Donnell told me that A Keane Sense of Humour has not been performed on stage since 1982, which is a great surprise. To quote from the programme: "This piece of theatre originally started life as a six part series for RTÉ called The Tales of Kilnavarna back in the early 1980s, it was then redeveloped into the stage play." In typical John B style the play takes a witty and often sardonic look at aspects of Irish life as recounted by and to the publican in the play, JB. JB in the course of his evening's work holds conversations with Mocky and Dicky who are the storytellers, recalling various deeds and stories that were presented in a collection of cameo presentations which allowed the large cast to show their talents. There are always moments that stick in the memory and for me the sight of Andy Sheridan as Ulick shuffling around as he tried to surreptitiously remove a fiver from his wad without letting Bridgie, played by Priscilla Hanevy, see how much is in the wallet will remain in the memory bank. Paul Dowling and Gerry North as Monsey and Fr O'Mora also enact a very memorable scene as Fr O'Mora tried to ensure that Monsey helps his wife to avoid any further outbreaks of childbirth. In typical John B style some of the content could be considered risqué and the use of a blow up doll as a prop is surely a first for Tuar Árd. I wonder how the audience reaction in 1982 compared to the near hysterical laughter in 2010? Some of the parts, particularly JB and Mocky had plenty of dialogue to deliver, I thought Pat Canty gave us a wonderful political style rendition of the funeral rehearsal while also managing to retain his balance on the table! The play had everything you could ask for including a Tull (the local TD played by Vincent Lowry) inspired set dance, performed to the music of accordion player Tommy Heavin and with Dicky (Larry Nugent) dancing in a very elegant pair of working boots managing to avoid injury to any of his partners. At the end of the production Pat Canty, on behalf of the players invited Joe O'Donnell on to the stage for the final bow, an invitation which he graciously accepted, taking the opportunity to acknowledge the cast and the production team and thanking them for a wonderful evenings' entertainment. A sentiment I totally endorse. Cast: JB, Paddy Nugent; Madge, Della Donnelly; Katie, Josephine Donohoe; Mocky, Pat Canty; Mrs Cooney, Yvonne Keenan; Fr O'Mora, Gerry North; Dicky, Larry Nugent; Rosie, Breda Slevin; Monsey, Paul Dowling; Moses, Val Connaughton; Woman, Josephine Donohoe; Man, Declan Donohoe; Biddy, Michele O'Brien; Tull, Vincent Lowry; Jenny, Yvonne Keenan; Moll, Michele O'Brien; Bridgie, Pricilla Hanevy; Ulick, Andy Sheridan; Commercial Traveller, Jim Mc Cormack; Accordion, Tommy Heavin; Singer, Jack Allen; Backstage: Director, Andy Donohoe; Stage Managers, Peter O'Brien, Paul Dowling, Declan Donohoe. Front of House, Clare Doyle, Roisin Allen, Breda Healy, Ann Lowry, Sheila Allen, Mustapha El Hasnoui.