Pictured during their rehearsals are the members of Cavanacarragh Players who are appearing in the well known play “The Country Boy” in the Ardhowen Theatre. They are from left Teresa Campbell, Tom Carney, Mary Moohan, Iggy Murphy, Bronagh Kelly and Rory McCarney
THE CAVANACARRAGH Players are making their stage debut, with a production of ‘The Country Boy’.
The players have already staged the show in their native Cavancarragh community centre, but, responding to popular demand decided to take the drama to the ‘big stage’ of the Ardhowen Theatre.
“It’s certainly taken us out of our comfort zone,” explained director John McCann.
“But the players relish the challenge of a big production whilst remaining true to their roots of rural style drama for a discerning audience.”
John went onto to say that two of the players, Rory McCarney and Iggy Murphy are veterans of the Ardhowen stage and all of the troupe look forward to bringing the play to as wide an audience as possible.
‘The Country Boy by John Murphy tells the story of Tom and Mary Kate Maher who have lost one son to emigration and are in danger of losing their second when the lure of a better life in America beckons him. When Eddie returns from New York on holiday with his wife Julia, the glamour of the states seems even more appealing to Curley whose friction with his father on how the family farm should be run is a point of comedy all too familiar to rural communities.
The ‘Yankee Swells’ throw their money around and sneer at the paucity of rural Irish life while Eddie is determined to show that he hasn’t lost touch with the old ways. In the meanwhile, Curley’s sweetheart is determined to make him see sense and stay in Ireland. As Curley and Tom continue to snipe at each other and Curley counts the days to his departure to a life of adventure in the states, the cracks begin to appear in Eddie.
In an emotionally charged scene between the brothers, Eddie reveals that he is not the success that he pretends to be and that life in New York is not the bohemian dalliance that he has presented to the family. It is in fact a constant round of hardship, escape through alcohol, homesickness, regrets and a marriage in danger of failure.
As the play moves towards its dramatic dénouement several questions emerge to keep the audience completely enthralled. Will Eddie convince Curley to value what he has at home? Will Tom relinquish control of the farm to the next generation? Will Eileen lose the love of her life? Will Curley abjure all that he knows and cross the Atlantic for an exciting new adventure?
The Country Boy takes to the stage in the Ardhowen Theatre at 8pm on September 13 and tickets are available at the theatre box office or through the Ardhowen’s website at a cost of £10.
