Listowel audiences to be treated to something different with ‘Katie’ play

THE PLAY, WRITTEN BY ABBEYFEALE NATIVE THERESE PRENDIVILLE, WILL BE STAGED IN ST JOHN’S THEATRE ON THE NIGHT OF THURSDAY, APRIL 11, AT 8PM AND WILL DEAL WITH SUBJECTS OF DEATH AND GRIEF

A PLAY written by Abbeyfeale native Therese Prendiville is set to be staged in Listowel’s St John’s Theatre this coming April 11 and it will see audiences being faced with a topic that Therese said is one that is rarely seen on stage.

Speaking to The Kerryman, Therese, the writer and director of the play ‘Katie’, said that her production centres on a couple called Maureen and Tony who, when the audience meets them, are grieving following the death of their only child, who was called Katie.

The action takes place during the weekend of the greyhound coursing in a small town in rural Ireland, one year after the loss of Katie. The play explores the themes of loss, love, relationships, friendship, communication and loneliness.

Therese said that she was inspired to write the play – one she describes as being “very emotive” – after watching a documentary called ‘Abbeyfealegood’ and hopes that, in her own words, it “captures the human struggle of death in a very sympathetic, raw and real way.

“I watched that documentary and there were a few cases in it of parents talking about the death of their children, and it really struck a chord with me,” she said.

“I thought, then, that I would love to write a piece that would capture that pain, that struggle, that grief.

That was something that really intrigued me. The idea that I had never seen a topic such as this staged, and I was really intrigued to see how I could bring that to life on stage,” she said.

The play had its first outing back in September in the Glórach Theatre, and despite the understandable nerves beforehand, Therese said that it could not have gone better.

“It was incredible and the audience reception was incredible,” she said.

“I was nervous as it was something completely new to the audience for a variety of reasons, but I was blown away, people were extremely moved. They were coming up to me in tears at the end. It’s been phenomenal,” she said.

With a degree in Drama and Theatre from Trinity College under belt, this is the third ‘piece’ that Therese has been involved in writing and putting together but, understandably, this is the one that she’s most proud of to date.

“I directed it as well, so I’ve been deeply involved with the whole production,” she said.

“The actors that I have are amazing. They are all local actors, and they have been so receptive to everything I’ve asked of them. I was delighted to be able to direct it as it was very important for me to be able to keep the vision the way I wanted it,” she added.

The play will be staged at 8pm on Thursday, April 11, and tickets will cost €15.

To book a seat, ring St John’s Theatre on (068) 22566 or head to the theatre’s website.