Singing the praises of ‘Canaries’ in Clogheen

Covid-19 inspired restrictions have been responsible for Clogheen Drama Group's recent inactivity. Prior to this, they staged sell out performances of John B Keane's 'Sive' and Martin McDonagh's 'The Cripple of Innismaan'.

Following consultation between the group's top table of Patricia Costelloe, Margaret English, Miriam Halley and the evergreen P.J. English, they chose Bernard Farrell's comedy, 'Canaires'. After that, it was rehearsing and more rehearsing under talented director, Liam Wall.

The show opened last Thursday night and continued through Friday and Saturday. Crowds were good and like a lot of drama groups, there was a steady process of fine tuning over the 3 nights. Local butcher, Ger Flynn, along with Nora Noonan and Niamh Costelloe were all to the fore, as were Annette Meaney, Conor O'Farrell, Eugene Fitzgerald and Noel Creedon. They were joined on stage by Trisha Hickey, Michelle Shaw, Margaret English, Kevin O'Connor and the aforementioned P.J. English. Kevin (Spanish waiter, 'Carlos') and P.J. (German holiday maker, 'Gunther') had the added challenge of producing convincing foreign accents - thanks to a combination of YouTube guidance and advice from some local Spaniards and Germans, they got it just right!

Chairperson of Clogheen Drama Group, Patricia Costelloe and Miriam

Halley who oversees the group's finances, along with Mary Flynn, looked after 'front of house' duties. Cathy McGrath, Breeda Wall, James English and Paula Gleeson were assigned stage manager roles, with set construction in the capable hands of tradesmen Fred Halley and James English. Make-up was by Linda English-Fleming. Other members of the team included Philip Lawlor, Margaret Hickey, Sheila Ryan, Madeline Begley, Norrie Moloney and Hannah Sheehy.

Clogheen Drama Group were keen to also acknowledge the input of Pat Doheny (who supplied sound and lighting equipment) and John Hayes from the print company, Adva Sign in Fermoy.

PLEASED PATRONS Between the foreign language lessons and sourcing a very hard to find Spanish fighting bull costume, 'Canaries' threw up plenty of theatrical challenges for Liam Wall and his colleagues. In true amateur drama fashion, these stumbling blocks were overcome and the show ran for 3 very successful nights.

Audiences make shows, and Clogheen Drama Group take this opportunitiy to thank everyone who took time out to come along and be entertained. Local individuals and businesses also stepped forward to sponsor prizes for the raffle and this was much appreciated.

All in all, another successful outing for Clogheen Drama Group, whose energy and enthusiasm have delivered spectacularly yet again.

(Pic: John Ahern) L-R: Tommy Murray (Ballyporeen), Colin English (Clogheen) and Chloe Cotter (Clogheen) who attended a production of ‘Canaries’ by Clogheen Drama Group, which was staged in St. Paul’s Community Centre last weekend.

(Pic: John Ahern) SUPPORTING THE NEIGHBOURS: Ballyporeen trio, l-r: Sinead O’Farrell, Niamh Hyland and Roisin Russell who were entertained by Clogheen Drama Group last Friday night.

(Pic: John Ahern) Regular theatre goers, Maree and Maeve Moclair, who were in St. Paul’s Community Centre, Clogheen last Friday night to see a production of Bernard Farrell’s ‘Canaries’.

(Pic: John Ahern) Locals, Aisling Condon and Aine Costelloe who were brilliantly entertained by members of Clogheen Drama Group last Friday night.