Athlone Little Theatre’s latest play The Lonesome West opens this Sunday February 24 and runs until Saturday March 2 next.
This is a superb modern Irish play written by the multi-award winning author Martin McDonagh. It is one of The Connemara Trilogy which also includes The Beauty Queen of Leenane and The Skull of Connemara.
These are fascinating plays which give a very unique look into life in the west of Ireland. However the life depicted in The Lonesome West might be more applicable to the wild west as audiences will find out.
Coleman and Valene O’Connor are two brothers who just do not get along and no matter how hard Fr Welsh, the local parish priest, tries, he cannot get them to reconcile.
They are hell-bent on causing each other the most pain and discomfort possible. Even Girleen, the local buxom poitin seller, cannot broker a truce. There are some serious topics dealt with in this play and the confessions scene is a real eyeopener, which really shows the depths and layers in McDonagh’s writing. It is no wonder that the play is on this year’s Leaving Certificate syllabus.
The play is in the safe directorial hands of Harry Smith who has put together a fantastic cast.Pat Canty plays the role of Coleman, with Paul Slevin playing Valene. Richard Brennan plays Fr Welsh, with the talented newcomer Katie McClean playing Girleen.
Opening Sunday night at 8.30pm and running until Saturday March 2, this play is one not to be missed.
Booking is at the Little Theatre on (090 ) 6474324.
