The Chastitute opens in Navan

Navan Theatre Group's (NTG) production of John B Keane’s ‘The Chastitute’ opened  in Solstice Arts Centre last night. Local doctor, Seamus McMenamin, is swapping his prescription pad for director's notes this season. 

It’s 14 years since Navan Theatre Group has produced a John B Keane play, the last being 'Sive' in 2006 and before that, 'The Field' (2000) and 'Big Maggie' (1998). The Chastitute tells the tale of the hapless John Bosco McLaine, portrayed by longstanding member Raymond Cullen, who has never laid down with a woman but not for want of trying. John is desperate for what he sees as his last opportunity to find true love, or the next best thing! In the days before Tinder, John’s aunt, played by Joan Powell, enlists the help of local matchmaker performed by returning member David Thornton, to help him find the woman of his dreams. All hilarity ensues as we join John and the colourful cast of characters that he encounters in his quest to find love. Alongside Raymond, David and Joan are Jimmy Smyth, Siobhan Mallon, Mick Roban, Micelle Cullen, Niall Carney, Marian McMahon, Liam Brady, Deirdre Gilbride, Sharon Carroll, Siobhan Finnegan and John O’Connor, - a cast of longstanding members, new faces and returning members coming together to present a play that weaves through laughter and darkness and is a stark reminder of old Catholic Ireland

Seamus McMenamin is not the only one to swap roles for this production. Raymond who is known in Navan Theatre Group circles as a sound man swaps the speakers for the stage and Liam Brady takes to the stage again after a few years running the show from behind the scenes. This is Seamus’ first time directing NTG’s full-length production, but he cut his teeth as a director in 2012 with his own play 'The Book Club' for NTG’s night of one acts.
The Chastitute takes place in the Solstice Arts Centre to Saturday 30th November at 8pm nightly.