Killorglin play group have another hit on their hands
AN UNPLANNED pregnancy, single motherhood and a judgmental society, all part of the Irish Leaving Cert syllabus.
Máiréad Ní Ghráda’s An Triail provides harrowing reading for Irish students and little has been lost in its translation into English. Killorglin CYMS Players took to the stage last week for a wonderful adaptation of the story which had audiences gripped for almost three hours.
With a cast of over 30, it was a tough task for director Noel Shanahan who has created a powerful drama, softened by lighter moments of laughter.
Set in the west of Ireland during the 1960s, the story follows a young and innocent woman (played by Sarah Pigott) who falls foul to the charms of a local primary school teacher (Brendan Reidy) and is forced to move to the city after she is shunned by her family.
The play travels back and forward in time using a series of flashbacks during an extensive trial, all under the watchful eye of counsels Jim Burns and Eamonn Crowley. All of the characters eventually take to the stand and it draws viewers into the story as they emerge from the audience onto a stark but intimidating set.
As the story unfolds the intimidating presence of the girl’s mother, wonderfully played by Gina Sheehan, becomes increasingly apparent as she forces her daughter out of her home and into the city.
It’s in the city that she meets a number of characters, some are sympathetic but most aren’t. A suburban housewife (Hazel Devane) seems more worried about what the neighbours think and ‘social worker’ (Edel Conway) is tasked with finding her a place in a House of Refuge. It’s here that some of the play’s lighter moments develop with some hilarious interaction between the girls and the rather unfortunate Johnny The Van (played by Dave Morris).
Forced into tenements after she gives birth, there’s little sympathy as the girl refuses to give the child up for adoption. A heartless reunion with the child’s father and also with her former teacher (played by Ger Foley) all leads to a tragic and traumatic climax. The trial then turns back to the audience to decide ‘who is to blame’ and they’re left with an uncomfortable feeling, apt for the uncomfortable subject matter.
An impressive piece, wonderful acting and a thought provoking story, Killorglin CYMS Players have yet another hit on their hands.