Longford drama enthusiasts in for a treat as Killeen Dramatic Society stage two entertaining productions

Drama enthusiasts in North Longford are on high alert as Killeen Dramatic Society is set to stage two entertaining productions for their Spring run.

This year Killeen Dramatic Society stage two plays. These shows follow on from last year's hugely successful run of John B Keane's play 'Sive'.

The first, and curtain raiser, is a short comedy sketch written by local man Jimmy Keary from Street.

Called the 'Swinging Sixties' this is a hilarious sketch about letting your hair down. It has a cast of six, namely Tommy McNally, Angelo Regan (who is also the director), Ellen Reilly, Catriona Kavanagh, and new recruits to the acting stage Antoinette Byrne-Smith, and Liam Farrell. Antoinette will also take on the role of make-up artist.

The main play is called 'Nobody's Talking to Me', and is once again directed by the experienced Vincent Kiernan. It's a story of family harmony, celebrations and not so harmonious love.

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Playwright Tommy Marren's play promises many laughs in a rip-roaring Irish comedy set in rural Ireland in 1969.

The action takes place in the kitchen of Mattie and Maggie Conway on the day of their 50th wedding anniversary. However, what should be a day of great celebration is anything but! The ‘happy couple’ haven’t spoken a single word to one another for 10 years and when the parish priest decides to surprise them by dropping in to renew their marriage vows all hell breaks loose!

The action is frantic and bit-by-bit we find out why communications between Mattie and Maggie have broken down. Mattie’s eccentric sister Minnie, who has lived in the house all her life, is feeling the pressure and with the Conway’s only daughter Josephine courting Andy Walsh, best described as ‘a sandwich short of a picnic’, and the plot thickens by the minute!

It features a cast of eight, namely Carmel Reilly, Gary Glennon, Fergal Kilbride, Teresa Fahy, Eddie Kavanagh, Breda Harkins, Seamus Flynn and Joanne Kelly making her stage debut. Joanne has been part of the backroom team for many years along with Bredge, Mary, and Marie among others who are all essential when it comes to the staging, props, costumes, settings, music, lighting, and sound.

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Angelo Regan said a great deal of effort has gone into staging the two plays: “Rehearsals started back in December and much hard work, dedication and hours of laughs have been had over the past few months in preparation for our production. A night of laughter is guaranteed.”

Killeen Dramatic Society presentation of 'Swinging Sixties' and 'Nobody's Talking to Me' takes place from Thursday next April 11, for four nights.

Curtain up at 8pm sharp and tickets costing €10 are available on the door.