The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Funny Business in play at Ivy Leaf Theatre tonight
The Island Players will begin their five night run at the Ivy Leaf Art Centre tonight, Wednesday, November 23rd to Sunday 27 th at 8pm nightly. Canaries is the hilarious comedy by Bernard Farrell chosen as the group’s 52nd. production since its foundation 1979.
About the Players:
Jerome Stack: Alongside his fellow Listowel native, Fr Kieran O’Shea, Jerome Stack got the ball rolling on setting up a drama group in Castleisland. The town was in the grip of the all consuming Tops-ofthe-Town at the time and the pickings were rich.
Anyone Could Rob a Bank was their first production with a local cast and crew. This was staged at Castleisland Community Centre. Soon after they embarked on getting the neglected and vandalised, former St. Stephen’s Church on the long road to restoration. Today it is known widely as The Ivy Leaf Art Centre.
Caroline Healy: Joined the Island Players in 1998 in Cat Among The Pigeons and has appeared in: Sive; Losers; Deeply Regretted By; Dancing At Lugnhasa and Run for Your Wife.
Tommy Martin: One of the longest serving members of the Island Players. Tommy has appeared in most of our productions since The Crucible in 1986. He also appeared in:
Many Young Men Of Twenty; Charley’s Aunt; Cash On Delivery and Moll. Tommy also had his own play Losers Get Nothing staged at the Ivy Leaf in 2003.
Hugh Jordan: Coming from Killarney and also performed with Dochas Drama Group. Hugh has appeared in: Many Young Men Of Twenty; Deeply Regretted By; Dancing At Lughnasa and Run for Your Wife.
Michael Burke: Michael has been involved with the group since 2008 and has appeared in: Deeply Regretted By; Moll: Rumours and in Run for Your Wife. He now appears as Richard in this production.
Mairead O’Mahony: Joined the group in 1997 for The Last Burning. Mairead has appeared in over twelve productions with the Island Players including: Sharon’s Grave; Sive; Rumours and Cash on Delivery.
She also produced The Last Apache Re-union for the Island Players along with plays for Mercy Mounthawk in Tralee.
Rosaleen Higgins: Rosaleen has been involved with the Ivyleaf for a number of years. This is her third appearance on stage at the Ivy Leaf. She played the part of Agnes in Dancing at Lughnasa and Suzanne in Don’t Dress for Dinner.
Redmond Roche: Since appearing in I Do Not Like Thee Dr. Fell in 1977 Redmond has appeared in: Trap For A Lonely Man; Rumours; Losers Get Nothing and Run For Your Wife.
Dan Kearney: An award winning broadcaster, Dan is making his debut appearance with The Island Players, he plays the part of Fergus in this production.
Trisha Higgins: Another new member on stage, she has been involved in set design for the group and also does set design for this play.
Brid O’Shea: Having previously starred in Run For Your Wife, this is Bríd’s second involvement with the group. She is also an accomplished musician and singer.
Jean Horgan: Since joining The Island Players in 1983 Jean has taken part on over 30 productions, including: Playboy of The Western World; The Crucible and The Field.
James McCarthy: Back after a break from the stage, James has taken part in The Field and Losers Get Nothing. He plays the part of Dad in this production.
Front of House: Conseil Leahy, Ciaran Fleming, Denis O’Donovan, Caroline Martin, Brenda Stack, Eilis O’Leary and Gerard Murphy. Tickets are €10 each and bookings for this week’s production can be made on 086 10 54 515.