Kildare drama group take on McDonagh's classic play: 'the Cripple of Inishmaan’.

Ballymore Eustace Drama Society (BEDS) are all set to stage Martin McDonaghs powerful play, The Cripple of Inishmaan.

Like all McDonagh's work, the play is based on rural Ireland and the damning curtailments and superstitions of small communities. Set on the remote island of Inishmaan around 1934, word has arrived that a film is being made on the neighbouring Island of Inishmor.

The young orphan 'cripple Billy' (to be played by Sean Bradshaw) sees this as his chance to escape the confines of island life and the constant shadow the deaths of his parents when he was a baby, has cast over him.

Along with ‘Slippy Helen’ and her brother, Bartley, he dreams of finding fame and fortune far away from his two adoptive aunts Kate and Eileen and village gossip Johny Pateen Mike, who has his nose in everyone's business and sees it as his calling to spread gossip at every opportunity.

These and other eccentric characters combine to make this both a comic and tragic story of hopes and dreams and truths and lies and of course, love in all its guises.

BEDS is celebrating 20 years in its current form and is delighted to have Marie Murphy directing this production. “We are also happy to welcome new members Sean Murphy and Heather Sammon, who along with 'old hand' Sean Bradshaw, inject new life and enthusiasm into this project” said Jenny Sheridan of the Society.

The opening night will take place in Valleymount Parish Hall at 8pm on Saturday 14 January, followed by 3 nights in Ballymore Eustace Band Hall on Thursday 19, Friday 20 and Saturday 21 January at 8pm. Tickets at the door.