The cast of ‘Don’t tell the wife’
A West Fermanagh cross-community group are learning more about each other’s cultures in a highly dramatic fashion.
‘Don’t Tell The Wife’ fuses the acting talents of the Garrison community group and Garrison Church of Ireland group in a hilarious production of acclaimed playwright Sam Cree from Belfast.
The two groups came together eighteen months ago and decided they would merge to become Garrison Working Together to access funds for community projects in the Fermanagh/ Leitrim border village.
And the play is the pinnacle of a number of projects organized by the group over the past twelve months.
“We applied to the Rural Development Council and they helped us put together a programme of events under the auspices of the International Fund for Ireland.
“They gave us £42,000 for the past year and we have had Family Fun Days, Workshops for Adults and Children’s Art, A Halloween Event and Cross-Community Christmas Carol Group” said group member Sharon Treacy.
“There are eight on the committee with four from each community and all have joint responsibility.
“We did not take on a worker so all of our activities are voluntary.
“Our Art workshops were very successful and we had up to 40 taking part over a period of three months which ended up in an exhibition.
“But our big project is setting up this drama which we hope will plant the seeds for a drama group setting up in the area as there is no shortage of talent.
“It’s a first for many of the players but there are a few seasoned hands and we have engaged well known director Siobhan O’Brien to direct the play”.
“We got the idea for a play from Bernie O’Brien who felt that drama was a very good way for the two communities to do something together and have a bit of fun doing it also.
“The play takes place on October 25-26 on the southern Bank Holiday Weekend.
“There is a strong tradition of drama in Kiltyclogher, Ballyshannon and Corlea around Belleek.
“And it is a great way to get people involved and our funders felt it was a different way of getting out ideas across as drama is very constructive and therapeutic on a number of levels.
“Already the joint group has gone to look at the murals in Belfast and the Walls of Derry to learn about our shared cultures.
Play director Siobhan O’Brien said it was an exciting new development for the Garrison community.
“It’s a very funny play and believe me this group are putting their hearts and souls into it.
It’s a Sam Cree play set in Belfast in the 1960s/70s and it takes a wry look at both communities and centres on a middle-aged couple, Bobby and Ethna Willis.
“Bobby decides to buy a greyhound but his wife thinks he is having an affair when she overhears a telephone conversation about the new dog.
“Add in the appearance of a feisty French lodger, a Corporation official, an ex RAF slightly inebriated escort service guy and Edna’s nerves become even more frayed.
“Sam Cree makes fun of the differences in the communities in a gentle way.
“So people are getting the message and a good laugh as well.
“It’s a great mix of characters and anything can happen.
The play runs on October 25/26.