The Knocknagoshel based Spike Players Drama Group members have been invited to take their home created and produced play, The Mountainy Puck to London.
They have delightedly accepted the invitation and are due on stage at the Clayton Crown Hotel in Cricklewood on Saturday night, October 1st. The curtain up is at 8pm and the doors open at 7pm.
Great Opportunity
“This is a great opportunity for Kerry people in London to see a good old comedy / drama from the heart of their native county. It’s also an ideal opportunity for the group members to meet up with other Kerry people in London,” said a group spokesperson.
The Mountainy Puck had its world premiere at Knocknagoshel Community Centre early last year.
Since then they have taken it on the road and have been enthusiastically received by audiences throughout Munster.
One Night in Lispole
As part of that round they will travel west to Lispole for a performance there later this month on Sunday, evening September 25th at 7pm. After the Lispole performance, plans are afoot to transport the set and props by road to London while the cast and crew will fly over. The group considers the invitation a great honour and they were delighted to accept.
Fresh Impetus
Rehearsals have taken on a fresh impetus at the community centre in the village with the coming of the new season and the prospect of the big road, sea and air trip.
Spike Players wish to thank the team at the London side of the venture for making it all possible. In that list they include: Ann Murphy-Fitzgerald, Danny Tim O’Sullivan, Denis Nolan, Linda and Eugene Barrett, Mort Reidy, Mick Moran, the Kerry Association in London and they send special thanks to Siobhán Tully.
About the Play
The play is rooted in 1970s Ireland and the setting is rural and agricultural. It tracks ordinary, country characters going about their daily business. Sometimes according to plan – while at other times not quite so. This is all played out with humorous and unexpected results. Many situations and emotions are involved from within the family to neighbourly rivalry.
There is lust and love and lost love involved in the meandering of the plot.
A Few Cute Hoors
“There is no shortage of cunning and a few cute hoors who just happen to be in the right place at the right time,” said the spokesperson. In there too is the common, human perception and weakness in thinking far-away hills are green and missing what is right under our noses.
The script landed out of the blue and onto the laps of the group members as they met to discuss plans at the start of the 2014 / 2015 season.
World Premiere
“After reading it we knew we were about to stage the world premiere of a home-made play. Little did we know that we would take it to London,” said the spokesperson.
“All these twists and turns lead to an interesting and intriguingly funny production,” said the spokesperson.
The main part, Mary, is played by Marion Leahy. Her twin brother, Mike by Bertie Hickey and their younger brother, Tom is played by Fred Browne. A friendly neighbour, Paddy is played by Chris Barrett.
Travelling Party
The traveling cast and crew includes: Chris Barrett, Marion Leahy, Bertie Hickey, Fred Browne, Noreen O’Callaghan, Chris Barrett, Jnr., Lily Doody, Conor Reidy, Mairéad Brosnan, Breda Fallon, stage director with lighting and sound technician, Kieran McAuliffe.
The London date is a special, one night only, performance. Tickets are £10 each and will be available on the night at the door or can be booked by ringing Siobhán at: 0208 961 1900 or by email to the same Siobhán at: siobhant@dannysullivan.co.uk
About the Group
Spike Players Drama Group was founded in Knocknagoshel in 2009 after it was decided to start drama classes for the winter months. These classes were supported by the Kerry Education Service and Padraig Dennehy from Lixnaw was appointed tutor.
Noelie Roche was one of the founding members and he died tragically that November. He was known affectionately in his native Abbeyfeale as Spike so it was decided then to name the group Spike Players in his honour and memory.
You can contact The Maine Valley Post on…
Anyone in The Maine Valley Post catchment area who would like to send us news and captioned photographs for inclusion can send them to: jreidy@mainevalleypost.com
Queries about advertising and any other matters regarding The Maine Valley Post can also be sent to that address or just ring: 087 23 59 467
