After the success of last year’s Beauty Queen of Leenane, Mullingar Charity Variety Players are to stage their second play, Hugh Leonard’s Da, in the Belvedere atrium from March 20-23.
Under the direction of Alan Conroy, assisted by Gillian Flynn, the cast are presently rehearsing five nights a week for the four-day run with the show which won the late Dalkey playwright a Tony award on Broadway in 1978.
The play is set in 1960s Dublin, and after Da’s funeral Charlie returns to his childhood home only to find his father’s ghost stubbornly unwilling to leave the house or his son’s mind.
As the events of Charlie’s youth and Da’s troubled relationship with Mother are replayed, we discover the darkly comic, bittersweet relationship that existed between father and son.
The production team is once again lead by old-stager on the Mullingar thespian scene, Ray McDonnell, and has Peter Dolan in the lead role.
“We are delighted to have this well-known Moate man who is the current all-Ireland Scór recitation champion and a very accomplished actor, who’s starred in many plays over the years,” said Gillian Flynn.
“Richie Geoghegan is returning to us this year after his side-splitting performance in last year’s Beauty Queen of Leenane, as Charlie, Da’s son. People will also remember Richie’s most recent outstanding performance in the Mullingar Musical Society’s production of The Full Monty,” she continued.
“Richie’s nephew Ryan Baker plays the part of young Charlie. This is his debut performance with MCVG players, and let’s just say talent runs in the family,” said Gillian.
Also returning this year after her powerful performance in last year’s Beauty Queen is the greatly admired and much loved Jean Hynes as Mag, Charlie’s mother. Other cast members include Christy Cole as Mr Drumm, Murt Ennis as Oliver, Veronica McDonagh as Mrs Prynne and Pauline Kinsella as Mary Tate.
The show runs from Wednesday March 20 to Saturday March 23 in the unique setting of Belvedere House atrium.
Tickets are only €10 and available from Wilfs Menswear on Castle Street and Belvedere House reception.
For your convenience tickets are numbered so advance purchase is strongly advised. Refreshments and bar facilities are available nightly.
For booking information call MCVG on (086 ) 3911 831.
