First ever musical for Calry Drama Group this month
IN May 2010 a group of budding actors came together in the Marion Hall, Calry and discussed resurrecting Dram in Calry once again.
The discussion was enthuastic and within weeks a producer was in place and rehearsals for “MacBeth the Clary Way ” were underway.
Deirdre Staunton the producer at that time said that all those involved wanted to take things slowly, gain local support and trust and ensure that many others would join the merry band of actors in Calry.
This drama group has not taken things as slowly as once planned and has gone from strength to strength. Each winter a very successful Pantomime involving 3rd class from the local primary school is produced, with one act and two act plays drawing huge audiences to the hall each Spring.
Last year the group brought Caitlin Ni Houlihan on the drama circuit for one act plays and performed both North and South of the border. In addition RTE used some footage from this production in a documentary about Arthur Shields the Abbey actor who later played Padraig Pearse in Hollywood and who took part in the Rebels’ last stand in the 1916 Rising.
This was not Calry community’s first drama group. Drama has been part of life in Calry on and off since the 1950s. Plays were performed in the old ( now demolished) FCA hall. After the Marian Hall was built Pat Tucker and Miss Tench were involved in drama and directed plays such as Paul Twining. Padraig Foran came to Calry in 1958 and he took up the baton and produced many plays in the Marian Hall and indeed many other venues around the county. Plays such as The Country Boy, Many Young men of Twenty and Anyone can Rob A Bank were favourites. Times and fashions changed and in the 1980s Tops of the Town and Scor were more popular than plays. Calry participated very successfully in both. There was a hiatus then as amateur drama was not as popular in the era of TV and video.
Later this month this group will be producing their first ever musical and promise to thrill audiences in the Marion hall Calry. Another challenge for the energetic group and one that they have met with humour and enthusiasm according to Deirdre Staunton the director. With a talented cast of 20, Oklahoma promises to thrill audiences of all ages in the Marion Hall Calry March 23rd – 25th at 8pm nightly. Adult 10 Euro, children 5 euro. Tickets available at Regional Stores, Ballinode.