New drama group to stage play by Dundalk writer

LOCAL author and playwright Oliver Murphy is to have one of his plays performed by the newly formed Belleek Amateur Dramatic Society in the renowned Old School House Theatre, Lislea Co Armagh on Friday March 23.

The title of the play by the Dublin Rd resident is ‘ The Candidate.’ It is 1969 and elections to the Stormont Parliament are in full swing. A number of people attend a meeting to decide on an agreed candidate for the local constituency in Charlie’s bar. Charlie’s brother Dickie will chair the meeting but there exists a bitter feud between the two over Nora. Nora is married to Dickie but was once Charlie’s, fiancé and is still the love of his life. This gripping, and compelling story is a tale of lost love, recriminations, and revenge, against a back ground of murderous hatred, political plotting, and intrigue. It is set in the tumultuous environment that existed on the eve of a conflagration that would sweep the Northern state in the following decades

The play, jointly produced and directed by Rosealeen Quinn and Catherine Murphy, is described by Rosealeen as a ‘ political/ romantic drama, liberally sprinkled with a generous portion of comedy’. They have assembled a talented group of actors to perform the various roles. The play commences at 8pm. Admission is £10 or €12. Proceeds in aid of Belleek GAC.