Audiences in Tipperary are in for a treat as The Ladykillers set to open

Opening on Monday, November 11, in The Source Arts Centre, Thurles Drama Group will present The Ladykillers written by Graham Linehan, author of the very successful and popular Father Ted comedy series.

The play is all set to wow audiences in Thurles, says Pat Loughnane director of this production.

“It is a real joy to take on such a challenging farce that requires real physical action from the cast, says Pat, especially with the wonderful group of actors.

“They have huge experience and are enjoying the rehearsal process immensely.

“We are only two weeks to opening and the excitement is palpable and infectious.”

This is Pat’s third time to direct comedy with the group, having already directed Arsenic and Old Lace and The Odd Couple, so he understands the dynamics of comedy and how to get the very best out of this script.

Pat is also a very experienced actor with the group, winning numerous awards for his work on the Amateur Drama Circuit and played a major role in the Seafarer by Conor McPherson, which came third in Athlone at the All-Ireland finals in 2023.

The plot revolves around a gang of five oddball criminal types who rent a two-room apartment in an isolated house on a London cul-de-sac near King’s Cross Station from a very elderly widow and her pet parrot.

The group’s mastermind, Professor Marcus (Matt Tracey), tells her a cover story that they are members of an amateur string quintet and would like to use the rooms to work on their musical skills and prepare for a concert.

In reality, they are plotting to rob a bank and plan to use Mrs Wilberforce’s age and innocent demenour along with her Victorian sensibilities to their advantage.

The play is set in an old two-up, two-down house, and Pat has created a two-tier set to provide the audience with real-time events happening at the same time on the same set.

Visually, this will keep audiences spellbound as the characters move upstairs and down while at the same time trying to keep Mrs Wilberforce (Mary Condron) from discovering their real intentions.

At this point, the cast are now very comfortable playing the game of intrigue and conspiracy, but as in all great comedies, the fun lies in everything going pear-shaped and watching the characters turning themselves in knots trying to keep the subterfuge going.

Apart from Constable MacDonald (Denis Slattery), Major Courtney (Johnny Fogarty), ‘One-Round’ (Mich Dempsey), Louis Harvey (Christy Clancy), and Harry Robinson (Alex Barrons) are bank robbers masquerading as musicians who can’t play a note between them and this reality brings the first act to a hilarious conclusion.

To find out what madness and mayhem happens in Act Two, you will just have to come to see the play!

Pat Loughnan will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout.

The opening night of the play will be a benefit night for the Suir Dragon Paddlers, a dragon boat team of breast cancer survivors from Tipperary and surrounding counties.

Tickets (€20) are selling fast for opening night and can be got at The Source box office, so do come along and support a great cause.