MICK LALLY, one of Galway’s most celebrated theatrical sons, makes a welcome return to the city next week when he steps onto the Town Hall studio stage in a revival of Bernard Fields’ suspenseful drama, Last Train From Holyhead.
Last Train From Holyhead, which Fields also directs for his own Haw Theatre Company, was first staged in Galway last year and toured throughout the west of Ireland to enthusiastic reviews.
Typical of reactions to the play was this approving appraisal from the New Playwrights Trust; “Intimate, suspenseful, funny, hugely entertaining and more than a little thought provoking. Keeps you on the edge of your seat as it stirs the cauldron of human emotion. Touches a deep chord. Not to be missed.”
In the play, drink, cards, prophecy not to mention comedy and tragedy, all combine in a tale that examines identity and how seeds sown in the past have a habit of sprouting whether we like it or not.
Lally himself, speaking after the end of a day’s rehearsal, reveals something more of the plot.
“In the play, three people who are previously unknown to each other meet in a railway carriage,” he says. “There is a a younger and an older man and a young woman. The woman, who seems to have some psychic powers, informs the men that they have a connection and over the course of the play they – and we - discover the nature of their relationship.”
How did Lally come to be involved in this production?
Bernard sent me the script – I hadn’t known him previously – and I really liked it,” he says. “It’s a good story with strong, interesting characters and I feel it’s the kind of play that can really keep the audience involved throughout. I was delighted to accept a role in the production and I’m very much enjoying delving into the nitty gritty of my character in rehearsals.”
Joining Lally in the cast are Tony Dowling and Shirley Walsh.
The play runs at the Town Hall studio from Monday September 21 to Saturday October 3 (Sunday excluded ) at 8.30pm. Tickets are priced at €20/16 from 091 - 569777.
