Parke Arts and Drama Group will present The Country Boy by Charlestown born John Murphy in Parke Community Hall on April 1 and 2 at 8.30pm.
Director Dermot MacMahon has assembled an experienced cast to bring his vision of this moving and humorous play to life. The Country Boy is a comedy-drama set in the small Irish farmhouse of the Maher family near Nephin, Mayo. The play reflects on the social problems of emigration and rural life in the late 1950s.
John Daly plays the domineering father, Tom Maher, a hard working country man who likes things done his way. This will be John’s fourth appearance with Parke Drama since joining in 2012.
Mary Kate Maher, played by Mary Neary, is Tom’s wife who is the perfect foil to her strong minded husband and often ends up acting as the mediator between husband and son. This is Mary’s return to Parke Drama stage since her memorable performance in A Wake in The West in 2010.
Curly is a strong willed young man who wants some freedom and not to be stuck under his father’s thumb. He believes emigration is the only remaining option open to him. Eamonn McNicholas, from Straide, plays the role of Curly.
Eileen Tierney, Curly’s love interest, is played by Maria Jordan. Eileen is the girl next door who has won Curly’s heart but at the same time does not want to stand in his way and be the only reason for him to stay.
Seamus Beirne plays Eddie Maher, the brother who emigrated to the USA 15 years before. In his family’s eyes he is the one who has made it ‘big’. However, as the play progresses the audience finds out that all is not as it appears with Eddie.
Eddie’s loud and brash wife Julia is portrayed superbly by Fiona Campbell. At first we see Julia as the typical Yank: colourful, loud, and at times annoying. However, as the play progresses we see another side to her and we also get an idea of the stresses and strains she has had to deal with having a husband like Eddie.
Tickets for the play cost €10. For more information call (087 ) 4106496 or visit www.parkedrama.com
