Wilde scandal at spectacular production from leading Offaly drama group

A SPECTACULAR show.

The scale of the latest production from Tullamore Amateur Dramatic Society (TADS) which opens tonight, Wednesday, November 11, in Esker Arts has to be seen to be believed.

The talented thespians, production and back stage teams involved in TADS' offering of Oscar Wilde's "Lady Windemere's Fan" are to be applauded.

Never before has a drama of such a scale being staged by the amateur drama group – the cast numbers 17 members, the set is magnificent and awe inspiring, the costumes evoke high society London of the late Victorina period and above all the acting is superb. Even the accents are faultless.

The Tribune was fortunate to sit in a full dress rehearsal of the show on Monday night last and was spellbound by the plot, the acting, the set and the costumes.

The play also features famous Wilde observations including "we are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars", "a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing" and "I can resist everything but temptation."

Director Fionnuala Corrigan took on a challenging task with this show and audiences will discover how well she and her able team, including Production Manager Jacinta Dillon, have succeeded.

The cast features a mix of veteran performers and new faces all of whom acquitted themselves extraordinarily well at Monday's full dress rehearsal.

Ella Condron is superb as Lady Windermere and ably captures the character of the inexperienced and naive young woman.

George Ross plays her husband, Lord Windermere, and subtly portrays the noble man's decent nature which is hidden under a steely reserve.

Terri Brennan has a hint of sulphur about her as the scandalous Mrs Erylene. She has a mysterious past and is a subject of fascination for both the male and female characters, if for different reasons.

Lord Darlington, played convincingly by Daniel Shanley, makes an early entrance and is central to the plot.

Much laughter is provided in the scenes involving the mother and daughter duo of the Duchess of Berwick (Susan McDonnell) and Lady Agatha (Zoe Connell) who sole line seems to be “Yes, Mamma.”

Lord Augustus Lorton (Colin McDonnell) and the Australian out of familiar territory, Mr Hopper (Dermot Muldowney) contributions also add comedy to the production.

The cast as a whole capture the double standards and snobbishness of high society in the Victorian era.

The plot is compelling and is guaranteed to keep audiences entranced right up to the finale

"Lady Windermere's Fan" opens on Wednesday at 8pm and runs until Saturday with tickets available at eskerarts.ie

CAST

Lady Windermere - Ella Condron; Lord Windermere - George Ross; Mrs. Erlynne - Terri Brennan; Lord Darlington - Daniel Shanley; Duchess of Berwick - Susan McDonnell; Mr. Cecil Graham - Caoimhe Cullen; Lord Augustus Lorton - Colin McDonnell; Lady Plymdale - Laura Molloy; Mr. Dumby - Frank O’Brien; Lady Jedburgh - Hazel Keegan; Mr. Hopper - Dermot Muldowney; Lady Agatha - Zoe Connell; Lady Stutfield - Denise Keoghan; Rosalie - Ursula Harte; Parker - Aidan Digan; Mrs. Cowper Cowper - Helena Brady; Miss. Graham - Natalia Henova.

PRODUCTION

Director – Fionnuala Corrigan; Production Manager – Jacinta Dillon; Set – Wayne Handy, All Set Scenery; Lighting – Ronan Kenny, Ciara Kinnarney; Sound – Ger Kellett, James Saunders; Stage Manager – Eymard Hooper; Prompter – Mary Roche; Props – Ursula Harte; Costumes – Helena Brady; Backstage Support - Gillian Harrington, Frances Doyle, Síle Dolan, Denise Keoghan, Mary Sherwin; Make-up - Laura Molloy, Bláíthín O’Driscoll; Hair – Carmel Doheny; Foyer Décor – Kira Kelly, Jacinta Dillon ; Foyer music - Ross & Lydia Maxwell (Wed & Thurs); Lucy Molloy (Fri & Sat); PR & Media – Ciara Kinnarney, George Ross.

Costumes supplied by – Benny Larkin Menswear (Birr), Rockfield House (Kells, Co.Meath,) Jack and Jill Boutique, Vincent’s Shop (Vincent de Paul), Chris Coroon, Monica Dynan Costumes (Birr), cast

Furnishings & Props supplied by: BG Props (Banagher), The Store Yard (Portlaoise) Vincent’s Shop and Jack & Jill Boutique, cast members and friends

TADS would like to extend a special thanks to the following for their wonderful support and help throughout this production: Benny Larkin, Menswear, Birr; Rockfield House, Kells; Jack and Jill Boutique, Tullamore; Vincent de Paul Shop, Tullamore; The Sacred Heart School, Tullamore; The Store Yard Antiques, Portlaoise; ARD Software, Tullamore; Print Plus.