St Patricks Drama Group Westport, a non-profit organisation founded in 1964, are coming to Galway next week with their newest production Widows Paradise. This three-act comedy, written by Sam Cree, is one of the most entertaining plays ever staged by the group and will transport the audience to nostalgic moments of the 60s and will be staged at the Town Hall on Thursday June 2.
Set in the scenic Mayo countryside, it follows five ladies embarking on a “strictly women only” holiday in their 'luxury' caravan. Ruby (Regina McCormack ) is a headstrong widow with a distaste for all men and is adamant that her female counterparts follow her lead in order to lead a life of peace and tranquillity. However, will the other ladies be swayed by her manipulation?
Lucy (Margaret Joyce ) is a simple yet loveable character, hiding her secret never-ending faith in true love. Vanessa (Nuala Currid ) is another widow who is entirely focused on the pursuit of luxury, but does she have another agenda? Rachel (Mairéad Ryan ) is intimidated by her fear of men and avoids all relationships, though proves to be one of the most humourous characters of the play.
These women create a sisterhood of self-confessed “widows” based upon their miserable experiences of men, and are accompanied by Ruby's young daughter Sylvia (Ruth Gilroy ). Sylvia is taken along in order to learn from their mistakes, but will they be the ones to teach her?
A subsequent case of 'mistaken caravan identity' ensures the Widows Paradise is joined by the no nonsense alpha-male Harry (Ciarán MacSuibhne ), his dim-witted sidekick Ernie (Andrew Pelham-Burn ) and Harry's son Alan (John Gavin ). Added to this mix the surprise visitors Wilfred (Liam MacNamara ) and Farmer John (Lennie Grimes ), will the trip end in chaos or tranquillity as the clash of the sexes occurs?
This play is not to be missed, it has already sold out for seven nights in Westport. Cast and crew are enjoying the busy rehearsals and performances for this farcical comedy directed by Liz Browne and Rosaleen Heraty.
Widow’s Paradise is on at theTown Hall Theatre in Galway for a unique one-night performance on Thursday June 2. For details on tickets contact Town Hall Theatre box office on 091-569777 or online at www.tht.ie
