It's Lights! Camera! Action! in Bonniconlon as the Dramatic Society prepares to take to the stage with Wigs on the Green from tonight to Sunday. The curtain in the Grove Hall is up at 8.30pm nightly as the clock is turned back to the 1950s and the story of widow Betty Smith (Margaret Devine ) and her daughters Kitty (Laura McShane ) and Maureen (Deirdre Doherty ) – two young ladies desperate for romance, excitement and fun. If they are to secure such wanton happiness, they need to succeed in rubber-stamping their mother’s blessing to go the dance.
A simpler time sees life revolve around the community – enter the parish priest, Fr Bourke (Jimmy Foody ), Tom Bell (Joe Neary ), the Matthews brothers, Jim and Jack (John Devlin and Michael Ginley ); Michael Rooney (Tom Doherty ) and Maggie Maguire (Bernie Judge ) – who all have a word to say, a plan of action and maybe even a dream of their own… Who said love was just for young ones?
This adapted play, originally written by Louth-born John McDonnell in 1957, who is also credited with such greats as Swan Song and Roadside; is the second offering from Bonniconlon Dramatic Society which was established in 2015. Last year’s Troubled Bachelors received rave reviews and capacity crowds nightly; and it looks as if the 2017 outing will be no different. Director Josephine Greavy said the play is a tale of family, love and most of all, laughs. “We wanted to lighten the mood and provide a night of stage entertainment that is fun and with plenty of humour and this comedy is perfect.” Assistant director Barbara Ginley is on hand to help as the staging, movement, props, lighting and costume are perfected. Tickets are priced at €10 and are available on the door nightly; with concession for children at €5.
