Friel play opens in new look Athboy venue

Athboy Drama Society's production of 'Dancing at Lughnasa', Brian Friel's award-winning play, opens this week in St James' Hall. Under the direction of Eamon Cassells, the cast is made up of Joe Healy, Teresa Coleman, Brenda Rice, Mary Donohoe, Paula Ennis, Veronica Donohoe, Brendan Smith and Michael McGrath. Since the society's last production of Sean O'Casey's 'Juno and the Paycock' in May, further renovation work has been carried out on St James' Hall. This major investment has resulted in the stage area being extended slightly, new curtains and an expansive new lighting rig fitted. The dressing rooms were also improved with the addition of new mirrors, lights and hot water! These improvements were carried out by Athboy Development Forum with support funding from Meath Partnership. The Drama Society was particularly excited about the project and was delighted to be in a position to make a €5,000 contribution towards the project. Fergal Fitzpatrick, society chairman, explained that members had decided that as long as they had sufficient funds for a new production, any additional money raised from productions should go towards the hall development. All of this makes this production even more special as it will be the first play produced on the newly renovated stage. It is very appropriate that both Eamon Cassells and Teresa Coleman are involved in this production as both played a pivotal role in the planning and carrying out of the renovation project. Eamon Cassells has been associated with drama in Athboy for many decades as both a performer and producer through the former Athboy Antics and drama productions and later with Macra na Feirme. Teresa has also been involved as both an actress and producer, first with Macra na Feirme and more recently with the drama society. She took the lead in the society's very first production 'The Righteous Are Bold' but since then has been very successful as a producer. In Dancing at Lughnasa she's taking on the role of Kate Mundy, quite a formidable character who is determined to keep her family together despite all obstacles. 'Dancing at Lughnasa' is one of Friel's most popular plays and with good reason. While the language is poetic the dialogue is a most natural, conversational style and each character is believable. It is no surprise therefore that the play met with huge success when it was first produced in 1990, going on to win major awards for Best Play including a Tony award for the Broadway production in 1992. Athboy Drama Society's production of Dancing at Lughnasa opens on Thursday 21st January in St James' Hall, Athboy at 8pm and runs for three nights. Tickets costing €10 are available on the door or at (087) 750 2145. Concessions are also available.