Phoenix Players back on the boards once again
THE Phoenix Players are back on the boards again with John B. Keane’s classic comedy, ‘Moll’ which they will perform for four nights in December in St. Brigid’s Hall, Tubbercurry.
Eamonn Gallagher, Chairman of the group explained why they were putting on a Christmas show, while in the past they have been regulars on the festival circuit.
For the last number of years the group has been looking for the rights to do ‘ The Sound of Music’ under the Directorship of Tom Walsh, who has long held a wish to direct ‘ The Sound of Music’. The rights were secured earlier this year and the group will be performing that show for seven nights at the end of March and the beginning of April.
The staging of ‘ The Sound of Music’ would be right in the middle of the festival circuit run and on that basis it was decided that the group would also produce a show for Christmas.
The play is being directed by Eamonn Gallagher who has been Chairman and acted with the group for the last 15 years. This is his first venture into directing.
Eamonn says it has been a challenge but a very enjoyable one and it has been an eye-opener seeing a production blossom from the eyes of a director rather than an actor. He will have much more sympathy for directors in the future.
He has assembled an all-star cast and will also introduce a couple of actors making their debut. Mary T. Mannion takes the lead role as ‘Moll’ and the three priests in the Presbytery are played by Pat Feely, Gerry Maye and Kieran Brennan. Pat Gilmartin is a more renowned for his exploits on the GAA playing fields, makes his debut on stage playing ‘ The Bishop’ after impressing with his film debut at the OsKaRs earlier this year.
In an inspired piece of casting, renowned actress Ursula Morahan plays ‘Bridgie Andover’ and Ursula’s husband, Mattie Brennan makes his long awaited debut on stage as ‘Ulick’. Bridgie’s intended.
The cast have been working exceptionally well and it’s lovely to have the mix of established actors and débutantes.
Eamonn says there were two main reasons why he decided to go with ‘Moll’. John B. Keane has enthralled audiences for decades and ‘Moll’ is rightly considered to be one of his classic comedies. In addition, Eamonn’s mother, Mona Gallagher, played the part of ‘Mrs. Andover’ in a 1974 production of ‘Moll’ by the Phoenix Players which was produced by Sean O’Dowd. In that 1974 production, the three priests were played by Joe Masterson, Pauric Neary and Peter Davey. Moll was played by Rita Gannon. The Bishop was played by Bernard Brennan and Bridgie and Ulick were played by Tina Campbell and John Murtagh respectively. That production went on the festival circuit and won four festivals and qualified for the All Ireland finals in Loughread, where they won the award for the best comedy of the festival.
Eamonn felt it was a nice nod to the history of the group and the fact that his own mother was involved in the last production.
Billy Keane, son of the great John B, also has associations with Tubbercurry and in recent years launched the 75 th Western Drama Festival in Tubbercurry.
The word on the street is that this is a hilarious prodduction and one not to be missed. It runs for four nights in December, Thursday the 6 th, Sunday the 9 th, Thursday the 13th and Sunday the 16 th in St. Brigid’s Hall, Tubbercurry at 8pm.