TWO very contrasting images of Ireland are depicted in the performances this week and next at Ardhowen Theatre with the black comedy ‘The Lonesome West’ on Wednesday 9th and the quaint charm of ‘The Auction At Killybuck’ on Thursday 17th to Saturday 19th July.
THE LONESOME WEST
Following on from the success of ‘An Ordinary Man’ and ‘Nobody’s Perfect’ Beezneez Theatre Company presents ‘The Lonesome West’, written by Martin McDonagh and directed by John McDwyer, on Wednesday 9th July at 8pm.
This savagely funny dark comedy is part of McDonagh’s Leenane trilogy and tells the story of two brothers living alone in their father’s house after his recent death who find it impossible to exist without constant bickering and who live to torment each other.
As things get worse, it is left to the young parish priest to try and avoid things spiralling out of control.
Gerry Farrell and Peter Davey portray the feuding brothers in this blackest of black comedies.
This is a tour de force production that rips apart the traditional image of quaint Ireland and introduces a blackly comic portrayal of modern, rural Ireland that revolves around ownership of poitin, crisps and figurines.
Considered the most controversial Irish dramatist working today, Martin McDonagh has been described as the ‘Quentin Tarantino of the Emerald Isle’. This is an unmissable night of pure theatre.
THE AUCTION IN KILLYBUCK
‘The Auction in Killybuck’, written by Louis J Walsh, is set in North Antrim 1914, 100 years ago.
Aunt Rebecca has a farm to sell; her nephew would like to buy the farm but since he refuses to marry the girl his aunt has chosen for him, preferring his own choice of sweetheart, she refuses to lend him the money required to make the purchase.
Belvoir Players presents ‘The Auction in Killybuck’, a play full of rich humour of the time which has become part of Ulster theatre folklore.
Born in Maghera, Co Derry, Louis J Walsh was a solicitor in Ballycastle, Co Antrim, and later a District Justice in Co Donegal.
A committed Irish Nationalist, his best-known play, originally titled ‘The Pope in Killybuck’, became popular with both Catholic and Protestant amateur dramatic groups for decades.
His traditional and sentimental portrayal of Irish life was as popular in Orange halls as in Catholic ones.
Prepare to be moved, amused, entertained and even learn a little by watching this charming piece of Ulster theatre.
Belvoir Players perform ‘The Auction In Killybuck’ on Thursday 17th, Friday 18th and Saturday 19th July at 8pm.
FUTURE EVENTS
The Summer drama season continues with Holywood Players on 25th and 26th July with a ‘Christie’ style murder mystery, ‘A Party To Murder’ written by Marcia Cash and Douglas E Hughes.
The much anticipated ‘Happy Days – 3rd Enniskillen International Beckett Festival’ opens at Ardhowen Theatre on Saturday 31st July at 7pm with ‘En Attendant Godot’ performed by Theatre NoNo with further performances on Friday 1st August at 7pm and Saturday 2nd August at 1pm.
This production will be performed in French, the language in which ‘Waiting For Godot’ was originally written, and will have English surtitles.
Also on the Beckett programme for Ardhowen will be ‘Words and Music’ on Monday 4th at 10.30am, ‘Krapp’s Last Tape’ on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th at 8pm and ‘I Went To The House But Did Not Enter’ on Saturday 9th at 3pm and 8pm.
See the full programme of events at www.happy-days-enniskillen.com, where you can purchase tickets or alternatively call the theatre box office.
For all Ardhowen events listed in the Summer programme call the Box Office or visit the theatre website at www.ardhowentheatre.com.
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