Shaun Byrne's new play Darkness Echoing makes its stage debut this week

Shaun Byrne's new play Darkness Echoing makes its stage debut this week.

It will be the Butt Drama Circle's entry for this year's All Ireland Festival competition.

It follows on from the success of last year’s multi-award-winning An Incident with Dave Cotter.

Much like last year’s play, this family drama mixes serious themes with dark humour. It is set in present-day Ballybofey. It’s 2015 and Joe returns home to Donegal from London after some years away. His father, aided by home help Marie, encourage him to deal with issues concerning his own leaving some years earlier. 

"I'm finding the exploration of character and the time and discussion given over to it probably the biggest difference between this festival play and previous productions I have been involved in," said Castlefin teacher and actress, Mairead McMenamin.

"And of course, I'm delighted to bring it on the road and get a dozen shows under my belt which will allow me to really get into, Marie, the character I'm playing."

John, the elderly father, is portrayed by J C Bonar, his first time back on stage since his award-winning turn in the one-act winner In Other Words. 

"There is a process you go through where the part slowly reveals itself to you in stages. Sometimes it's a way of talking, moving, thinking, acting and reacting that gels together. It can be frustrating at times but ultimately very rewarding."

"I found combining the acting and directing tricky but not as hard as last year. Luckily we have some good people around again this year who are always open to offering their opinion which is always refreshing," added Shaun Byrne.

Mairead McMenamin and JC Boinar in a scene from Darkness Echoing which will be staged at the Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey this Wednesday and Thursday, February 8 and 9

"Hopefully the audience will come out and support us like last year because the energy of a good house always adds to the occasion."

This year's cast is Shaun Byrne (Joe); JC Bonar (Da) and Mairead McMenamin (Maire). Shaun is also director-writer with set design by JC Bonar, set construction by Martin McClean, sound Brian Duffy, Lights, Sammy Asilia, stage manager/make-up and costumes, Brenda Duffy and crew members Bernie Thompson, Gerry Byrne and Mickey McMahon.

The play will be staged at the Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey this Wednesday and Thursday night, February 8 and 9, starting at 8pm nightly