'Juno and the Paycock' for Athboy stage

Athboy Drama Society members are entering the final weeks of rehearsals of their next production, Sean O"Casey"s "Juno and the Paycock". The group"s last production was John B Keane"s "The Field". 'We were delighted with the support we got for "The Field" - we had record crowds for each of the three nights,' society PRO Mary Donohoe said. 'We believe this was as much because of the popularity of the play as it was for the reputation the society is gaining for bringing quality productions to the stage. For that reason, we are hoping that "Juno and the Paycock" will prove just as popular. There is a wonderful tradition of stagecraft in Athboy and a wealth of talent available to us, so we are really looking forward this next production.' The person charged with bringing "Juno" to the stage in St James"s Hall is Teresa Coleman. Her last production was "Blithe Spirit" last spring and "Juno" is a very different direction for her, but one that she is really enjoying. "Juno and the Paycock" was first produced in 1925 and its success meant that Sean O"Casey could give up manual work and dedicate himself to being a full-time writer. As with many of his plays, it is rooted in the tragic history of Ireland in the early part of the last century but although the play is set in that turbulent period of the Irish Civil War in 1922, it still resonates for today"s audiences as it reflects O"Casey"s hatred of violence and social injustice. Athboy Drama Society"s production will run for three performances from Thursday 14th to Saturday 16th May in St James"s Hall, Athboy.