Longford staging of Rathowen playwright's work

As a Longford drama group prepare to stage the work of a neighbour's child Jimmy Keary spoke to the Leader about his popularity.

Jimmy is a well-known playwright whose comedy plays have been staged all over Ireland. The Rathowen playwright has written 24 three-act plays.

His links to Longford are more than just proximity, his first foray as a writer, a one-act called 'Looking For Love', was staged in Bog Lane Theatre, Ballymahon in 1987.

Moydow's The Pillar Box Drama Group isn't the only group staging one particular work: “The Benevolent Irish Society is presenting six performances of my play 'The Maiden Aunt' in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island later this month. This is the fourth of my plays, which this theatre group has staged. I originally came to the attention of this group when the mother of a group member saw a performance of a play of mine in Killorglin, Kerry some years ago and contacted me.”

Jimmy is delighted 'The Maiden Aunt' is set to be staged in Longford at the end of the month: “The two productions will overlap on March 30. 'The Maiden Aunt' - about a couple's comical attempts to get an elderly aunt to make her will - was written in 1999 and had its first performance in Killala, Mayo in February 2000. It continues to be very popular.”

The playwright is enjoying his popularity: “There are fifteen productions of my plays on stage during this month with further productions scheduled for April. Two of my plays - 'Little White Lies' and 'Finders Keepers' - had their premieres this month and were very well received.”

Jimmy is keeping busy on the writing front: “I have started work on a new three-act comedy with the working title of 'Marrying Mike'. This is my 25th three-act comedy since 1999.”