Tributes on passing of local amateur drama actress
TRIBUTES have been paid to local amateur actress, Pauline McNiffe who has passed away.
Mrs McNIffe, who was predeceased by her husband, Tony, passed away last Thursday.
Requiem Mass took place on Saturday last at 2pm at St Joseph’s Church, Ballytivnanwith funeral proceeding to Sligo Cemetery.
She is survived by her daughters Gillian and Simone and son, Shane.
Mrs McNiffe, who lived in Avondale, Sligo and was a native of Ballina, played many roles on stage and in a tribute, Sligo Drama Circle recalled her many fine performances both in the Town Hall and the Hawk’s Well Theatre.
Some of the roles she graced the stage in included: The Man Born To Be King (1971); Mother in “Da” (1976); Betsy Connors in “God’s Gentry” (1977); Miss Gilchrist in “The Hostage” (1977); Sara Tansey in “The Playboy of the Western World” (1975); Mrs. Flynn in “Tarry Flynn (1978); Mrs. Davidson in “Rain” (1981); Kytie in “There Are Tragedies and Tragedies” (1982); Freda in “The Year of the Hiker” (1983); Madge in “Philadelphia, Here I Come” (1987); The Black Stranger (1997); Maggie Polpin in “Big Maggie” (1999).
In a post on Facebook, Sligo Drama Circle said Mrs McNiffe’s most memorable roles would probably be as the housekeeper, Madge in ‘Philadelphia, Here I Come’ which she played on several occasions opposite Walter Mc Donagh’s S.B. O’Donnell and the central role in ‘Big Maggie’ which she carried off with aplomb.
“Pauline took her roles seriously and put great preparation into whichever role she played. This, in turn, shone through during her performances on stage where she owned every role. Her sense of presence on stage meant that the audiences believed in her roles and journeyed with her in that role,” said the tribute.