Busy season in store at Backstage Theatre
Longford's Backstage Theatre erupts with its first show of the autumn season on Thursday 16th September running for three nights.
Written and directed by Padraic McIntyre, the man who brought us the compelling Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme by Frank McGuinness and Pat McCabe's gripping Dead School, Padraic's latest outing 'The Night Joe Dolan's Car Broke Down', is being hailed as "The Irish answer to Mama Mia!"
Set in a rural pub in Co Cavan on a stormy St. Stephen's night, where locals gather for the 60th birthday party of local legend The Horse Munley, mayhem unfolds as the secrets of a host of local characters are revealed.
Just as people are heading for home, a knock on the door brings the night's entertainment to a new level.
With the music of Joe Dolan performed live, this is laugh-out-loud funny, as well as being a fitting and sensitive tribute to a man who was a music legend in this country.
Speaking about the play, Padraic McIntyre said, "When I was writing the play I came across so many people who had stories to tell about Joe. People really had a great affinity with the man. I never met the man myself but I grew up listening to his songs because my parents were huge fans."
The show sold out for twelve nights running in the Ramor Theatre so booking early is essential.
Just a week later on 24th and 25th of September, the multi-award winning bitter-sweet comedy Little Gem from Guna Nua hits town.
Guna Nua director and founder Paul Meade first read Elaine Murphy's Little Gem in 2008 and promptly staged and directed the impressive dbut in the Dublin Fringe Festival where it won several awards and went on to great acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2009.
After sell-out seasons in New York, London and Paris and a sold-out seven-week run at Ireland's National Theatre, the tour finally arrives on our doorstep.
As a further treat, Backstage are making the opening night Ladies Night! Theatre-goers will be welcomed with a glass of wine and invited to take a seat for a fashion show featuring highlights of the new season collections from Unique Boutique, Grasshopper and Alison Grey.
Liam Lawton is performing a limited series of concerts exploring the stories and songs behind his book The Hope Prayer and Sunday 26th September sees his arrival in Longford.
Liam is a unique artist whose music has etched itself on the landscape of Ireland and far beyond. Drawing from the sacred and rich tradition of his culture Liam has found a contemporary voice for ancient longing and the quest for the Divine in modern life.
The cast of Philadelphia Here I Come are busy rehearsing these days getting ready for the first ever in-house production at Backstage.
With a strong cast under the superb direction of Noel Strange and the collaboration of professional practitioners such as Padraic McIntyre of Livin Dred and Raymond Keane of Barabbas this is definitely one not to miss.
So plenty in store for the first few weeks of the season and just a taster of all that's on offer for the season ahead. Check out the Backstage website for more information.
To book your tickets for these or any of our shows phone 043 33 4788 or book online at www.backstage.ie
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: North west
