The Blacksmith makes return to Droichead
DUE to unprecedented demand for tickets to attend “The Blacksmith” in 2019, patrons are advised to book early to see this extremely funny comedy as it returns to the Droichead Arts Centre this week, from 25th to 29th February.
The plot is filled with hilarious dialogue and situations which reignite the wondrous world of the mainly forgotten Blacksmith’s Forge. The year is 1949, an age of innocence when superstition and Fairy folklore is exposed in it’s most glorious form with the emergence of characters such as Mary Kate and Brigid Mc Keon played by Alice Bellew and Marguerita Sampson respectively.
Indeed, all the characters in this play are based on real life people who lived and loved in the Cooley Peninsula and are proud descendants of even more famous ancestors depicted in the “Tain Bo Cualigne”. The film “Saints and Sinners” was shot in Carlingford in 1949 and formed the basis for The Blacksmith , giving poetic licence to create a unique environment never before seen or portrayed in any Irish theatre.
You will meet other colourful characters such as Plug Murphy ( David Andrews ) Tiddly Patterson ( Michael Ferguson ) The Wiper Mooney ( Gareth Byrne ) Molly Rafferty ( Carmel Matthews ) and the Queen of the plough herself Cissy Murphy (Mary Cooney) The Blacksmith himself, Bill Smith (Guy Lynch ) together with Sergeant Conchobar O Sullivan ( Con Mc Ginley) try to maintain some semblance of order and credulity when faced with such fiery adversaries as The Hag of the Bog, Banshees and the fearsome “Puca”.
The arrival of Hollywood actress Christine Norden ( Pauline Meegan ) and film producer Leslie Arliss ( Paul Davis) into Bill’s humble Forge culminate in a memorable scene which simply has to be experienced.
This superb comedy is suitable for all ages and has already proven hugely popular with very young audiences.
The shows will also benefit local charities, including:
Drogheda Alzheimers Society Tuesday 25th February.
Duleek/Bellewstown Community Project: Wednesday 26th February.
Niall Mellon Educate: Thursday 27th February.
Duleek Drama Players/ Duleek Meals on Wheels: Friday 28th February.
Duleek Drama Players/ Gary Kelly Centre: Saturday 29th February.
‘In this play, I hope to bring to life through the characters I met personally in the Cooley area of the 1950’s , some of the magic which has gained immortality in a tribute to a bygone era ruled by that self-same marvellous culture which shaped our unique heritage,’ Michael Ferguson states.
‘ This work is dedicated to my wife Kay, whose father, Denis ( Dinny ) McCarthy “Blacksmith Extraordinaire “was the posthumous inspiration for the play.’