Look out Killybegs ... ‘The Two Little Wolves and The Big Bad Pig’ are in town shortly!

There’s a flurry of excitement in and around Killybegs at the moment as parents and children pool their talents and resources in the build-up to one dramatic event - the long-awaited return of children’s drama and variety to the town.

Thanks to the efforts of a local team, the Foresters Hall is to be transformed into a whole new world as the talented local children take to the stage for an original show scripted by Paula McMullen.

No stranger to treading the boards herself, Paula was a founding member of The Portnoo Iniskeel Drama Circle and wrote plays and directed there for 10 years. She also founded the Ardara Meltingpot Multicultural Festival working with six schools and the Ardara Resource Centre on different themed art projects. To date, she has written and produced nine adult drama plays and six children’s plays.

Paula was also Glenveigh National Park’s children’s storyteller and face painter for seven years and, while comedy writing is her forte, she also loves straight acting and will soon be appearing alongside Maura Logue again in Drumshee which is based on the 1950s ‘dry’ dances. Of course, many will also know her as the lady that runs The Green Gate, a renowned Bed and breakfast establishment in Ardara or as she calls it “a different kind of drama”.

The cast members listen to their tutors at rehearsal last Monday night

The show in production for the Killybegs nights is called The Two Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig. It was written in 1998, originally as a puppet show and, later adapted for the stage adding a variety show within the play to accommodate an ever-growing cast for the first showing in 1999 as part of the Glenties Harvest Festival.

“Earlier this year I was approached by Kelly Daly from The Foresters Hall Community Centre in Killybegs to tutor six weeks of drama classes and the response was amazing.

“The classes soon became a full-scale production and The Two Little Wolves and The Big Bad Pig has been revived for the first time in over 12 years.”

Having cast the children the group are now busy rehearsing for their big performances on Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21.

“The 25 children all from Killybegs range in age from eight to 12 years. They have been encouraged to add their own ideas and hidden talents in creating their characters.

“Parents and locals have been so supportive and have volunteered to help with scenery and props.”
And what can audiences expect from the play?

Willie and Wendy Wolf have set off to Killybegs looking for work in order to feed their large family at home in Kilcar. Having no luck finding work in shops, Wendy decides to sing on the street for money. She and Willie are approached by self titled, ‘Manager to the Stars’, the nasty Pig Magrunt.
Magrunt tricks the wolves into thinking he can make them both stars then kidnaps Wendy and makes her sing week after week in his variety show in The Foresters Hall alongside the other acts who are all overworked and underpaid.

Desperate to find his sister, Willie enlists the help of the cool street cats, Far-Out and Funky to rescue Wendy.

The performance has lots of surprises in store and colourful characters to be met along the way so keep an eye out for tickets as they will be on sale shortly.

The show will take place on Saturday, May 20 and Sunday,May 21 starting at 8pm each night.