The Sligo Champion

‘ BIG MAGGIE’ COMES TO STAGE AT HAWK’S WELL

DRAMA CIRCLE MARKS 60 YEARS WITH JOHN B KEANE’S CLASSIC PLAY

- By SINEAD HEALY

SLIGO Drama Circle returns to the stage of the Hawk’s Well Theatre this November to continue its 60th Anniversar­y celebratio­ns with its production of the John B. Keane classic ‘ BIG MAGGIE.’

Set in rural 1960’ s Ireland, in a society that values prayer, property, land and keeping up appearance­s above all else, recently widowed Maggie Polpin’s plan to assert control over the family business and farm, marks the end of her relationsh­ip with her four children, tearing the family apart forever.

The action of the play takes place in the rural shop run by the Polpin family.

The mother Maggie rules her family with an iron fist and she will do everything in her power to assert her authority. A

fter the death of her husband at the beginning of the play, she warns her offspring that there will be changes.

However, none of her four children expected the changes she had planned.

Full of unique caustic wit, the Drama Circle last performed this John B. Keane classic play in 1999, the first play that was rehearsed in its then new premises in the Market Yard.

Director Ursula Smullen has assembled an experience­d cast for ‘ Big Maggie’ to follow up on the Drama Circle’s huge Spring success with ‘ Translatio­ns.’

Ann Marie Byrne returns to the Drama Circle in the title role of Maggie Polpin; Orla Mc Sharry and Niamh Leahy plays the parts of her daughters Katie and Gert; Roy Mitchell and Aaron Mc Donagh play the parts of her two sons Maurice and Mick; Marcel Gordon plays the travelling salesman Teddy Heelin; Gerry Ryan plays the part of Mr. Byrne; Angela McGuire and Michael Leyden play the parts of the busybody couple Bridget and Jack Mick; Margaret Curley plays the part of Mrs. Madden and Sarah Burns plays her daughter Mary.

‘ Big Maggie’ promises to be an unmissable night’s drama, another highlight in the Drama Circle’s 6oth Anniversar­y year.

The production runs at the Hawk’s Well Theatre from Tuesday November 8th to Saturday November 12th nightly at 8pm.

Tickets are available from the Hawk’s Well Theatre Box Office on ( 071) 916 1518 priced at € 15 (€ 12 concession­s & OAP’s). There is a special rate of € 10 per ticket for groups of ten or more.

This should appeal to secondary school students studying “Big Maggie” for the Leaving Certificat­e in 2017 and 2018.

All tickets can also be booked online at www. hawkswell. com

More informatio­n on www. sligodrama­circle. ie

 ??  ?? Cast Photo: ( Back L- R) Orla Mc Sharry ( Katie), Aaron Mc Donagh ( Mick), Roy Mitchell ( Maurice), Niamh Leahy ( Gert). Front: Ann Marie Byrne ( Maggie) Below: Mr. Byrne ( Gerry Ryan) and Maggie Polpin ( Ann Marie Byrne)
Cast Photo: ( Back L- R) Orla Mc Sharry ( Katie), Aaron Mc Donagh ( Mick), Roy Mitchell ( Maurice), Niamh Leahy ( Gert). Front: Ann Marie Byrne ( Maggie) Below: Mr. Byrne ( Gerry Ryan) and Maggie Polpin ( Ann Marie Byrne)
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