Athlone Community Radio has put out a call for eight mature male voices to participate in the recording of a radio drama which has been recently awarded funding by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. Obviously this might suit local actors but even if you have never acted on stage before but believe you have a good broadcasting voice why not apply for an audition.
This is an opportunity for actors and hidden local talents to be part of an exciting project. Auditions will be held on Wednesday April 4 from 10am to 12pm and from 8-10pm that evening. Rehearsals will commence on April 16 with the recording taking place later that week. If you think you have the voice to play a medieval monk or a local lord why not contact Irena at (086 ) 6093969 to arrange an audition or log on to www.athlonecommunityradio.ie for further details.
The half-hour radio play called The Bottomless Purse is written by local writer and well-known historian Gearoid O’Brien, and is his first radio drama. The play is set in Athlone in the 13th century and tells a story which is based partly on the factual history of the time but blended with a fictional storyline. The plot involves the tensions between a group of local monks who live in the shadow of Athlone Castle and the English administration who occupy the castle.
The storyline uses a well documented early case of industrial pollution in Athlone and combines this with the politics of the priory. A local lord wants his young nephew to be ordained and the action of the play revolves around the lengths to which he is prepared to go in order to achieve his goals.
The story, though set in medieval times, is nevertheless very relevant to today. The dialogue is written in a style which suggests antiquity without becoming too ponderous or heavy and the action gives insights into daily life in a medieval town and monastery. Throughout the play there are echoes of corruption as it explores the politics of church and crown.
The play will be directed by Grainne Moore, an experienced theatre producer who, by coincidence, directed a superb production of an historical play The Birds in the Innocent Wood by Joe Ducke last year in the Passionfruit Theatre. The play will be produced be Irena Cvetkovic an experienced and well-qualified producer who works with Athlone Community Radio 88.4fm. The original instrumental music for this production has been written by singer-songwriter Fergal Cox.
