A Laois drama group is excited to bring a hilarious Sam Cree production to life.

Errill Drama Group will take to the John Campion stage in the recently refurbished St Bernadette's Hall in Errill this weekend, after weeks of preparations and rehearsals.

"We began practicing over eight weeks ago, we will be performing Sam Cree's 'Separate Beds'," Errill Drama Group secretary Claire McDermott told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Pictured: Errill drama group in 2019

"Our director is John Campion, and we are very excited to welcome audiences in. We're feeling good as the show dates approach, we usually do Sam Cree plays as we are used to the rhythm and comedy of them. They have a lot of innuendo and slap stick comedy, it's really something everyone can enjoy," she said.

First founded in 1994, Errill Drama Group has several generations of the family involved in productions, and are always eager to ensure that audience members leave the production feeling 'lighthearted and happy'.

"We used to do John B. Keane plays, and they can be very heavy. A lot of Irish plays are. There's nothing better than hearing an audience roar laughing. We spend the first few rehearsals roaring laughing ourselves, before we knuckle down and properly get in the zone of learning our lines," Ms McDermott laughed.

"If we can fill the hall and hear the crowd laughing, as we usually have, then we're made up," she said.

The cast features nine members of the drama group, with two backstage workers keeping the show running smoothly. This is the first official production to be held on the John Campion stage since the hall's redevelopment, which the committee is still accepting donations towards.

Pictured: Errill Drama Group in 2018

"We opened officially in spring, the funds of tickets to this show goes back to the drama committee, with most of it going towards paying for the development," Ms McDermott explained.

The redevelopment of the hall went almost €290,000 over budget, with the group launching a 'buy a brick' fundraiser to help pay off the loan.

"Tickets are available at the door. Last year we sold out each night, which we were delighted with," Ms McDermott said.

"We have added new bricks since our official opening last spring, so we are excited to show the hall to those who haven't seen it yet. There is still a chance to buy a brick and have your name added to the wall."

The cast includes drama group members Marie McGrath, Marie McGrath, Aoife Carroll, Leonard Moore, Paul Delaney, Karen Holohan, Tomás Moore, Tadgh Keane, Claire McDermott and Siobhan Kelly. The production is directed by John Campion, with Dan Bourke as MC on the night.

Amhrán na bhFiann will be performed by Cara McDermott.

The group wish to give special thanks to Ina Keane, Dan Bourke and Tommy Hayes, along with the Errill Hall Committee, Errill Drama Treasurer Kieran O'Dea, and all raffle sponsors.

Join Errill Drama Group for three nights of laughter and community spirit from Friday November 13 to Sunday 16 at St Bernadette's Hall, R32 A3KN. Curtains up at 8pm. Tickets €12 for adults, €5 for children.

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