Newest Longford drama group bring out big guns for night of drama

Longford's thriving drama scene has welcomed a new player to the stage with the arrival of the Gunner Magee Players from Ballinamuck.

Siobhan Mulligan, Secretary of the recently established group, told the Leader about how they came together: “The idea of a drama group in Ballinamuck was first discussed exactly one year ago, the first weekend in December. A year later we are preparing to put on our first production.”

In the last 12 months the committee of eight, in conjunction with the 30 members of the Gunner Magee Players, have been putting all the necessary arrangements in place for the first staging of the shows.
“It's been an extremely enjoyable journey for everyone involved,” Siobhan tells, “It's going great. We went from an informal chat this time last year, to concrete plans at the beginning of summer.”

The group will stage two one act plays “What’s for Pudding?”, directed by Sinead McCormack and “The Last Tango in Ballinamuck” directed by Ollie Keogh.

The cast, many of which have never acted before have been rehearsing since the end of September: “They have shown great commitment and dedication. They have been working flat out and their talent has shone through in the last number of weeks. They are really looking forward to welcoming everyone to their first production,” Siobhan said.
There has been great support by the community for the shows: “They are nervous and excited. Saturday is sold out and we have only a few tickets left for Sunday.”

What’s for Pudding? Tells the story of Mary and Jack's dull Saturday evening, which is interrupted by the arrival of Maureen, Ted and Dennis. The occasion rapidly dissolves into a drunken gathering as Ted's intellect is likened to that of a paper clip, Maureen, his wife, reveals a liking for Jack, and Jack rapidly cultivates a taste for pouring whisky over his head.
The Last Tango in Ballinamuck is an adaptation of The Last Tango in Little Grimley. The Ballinamuck Amateur Dramatic Society is in trouble. The membership has dwindled to four - the audiences aren't much bigger - and if they don't come up with some rent money soon, they're going to be thrown out.

"There's only one thing that sells tickets these days" argues Gordon the Chairman. "Sex!" Thus begins the chaotic and hilarious build-up to an evening of extraordinary home-grown drama. It's one of the most successful short comedies ever produced for the amateur stage.

What’s for Pudding features a cast of Jack McKenna, Mary Timlin, Maureen Leslie, Ted Cunningham, and Dennis Murray.
For Last Tango in Ballinamuck actors Gordon Keogh, Margaret Carthy, Bernard Larkin, and Joyce McLoughlin take to the stage.
The show takes place in the 98 Memorial Hall tonight Saturday, December 7 and tomorrow Sunday, December 8.