‘In The Middle Of The Fields’ a wonderful experience

At last! What a treat to be able to sit and watch a piece of live theatre after a lapse of fifteen months. Geoff Gould, who is well known for his Fit-Up festivals along with director Joan Sheehy, brought Mary Lavin’s ‘In The Middle Of The Fields’ to an actual field in Kilmallock for a six night sold-out run.

We were told we could expect a unique and atmospheric experience that harks back to the theatre fit-up tradition of the 1940s ands 1950s, ‘but with a vivid, contemporary staging’. And all this we certainly got!

The setting, under an impressive open-sided tent, was certainly atmospheric but for me, the acting is what made the experience really special. Kathy Rose O’Brien as Vera, Mark O’Regan as Ned and Seamus Moran as Bartley Crossen were simply superb. If I was pushed to name one in particular however, it would have to be Mark O’Regan who brought great depth, and a little fun at times, to the production.

The story centred around Vera, a young widow who is left to run the farm following the death of her husband. Her encounter with Bartley Crossen, a neighbouring farmer twice married, was all that it promised to be - emotionally charged and unsettling, posing provocative questions about past passions that truly left us captivated.

Well done to all involved - the creative team made up of Paul Keogan (lighting and set), Colin Dunne (movement direction), Tom Lane (music composer), Dermot Dunne (accordion), Joan Sheehy (director) and of course Geoff Gould (producer) who never fails to deliver.