A new theatre company in the Midlands hopes to show the entertaining artform of live theatre to Laois audiences.

Tullamore's Patrick Fogarty of Fomóire Productions has written and directed the latest play to hit Laois stages, 'The Burned Man', which will run in Mountmellick's Theatre Festival and Portlaoise's Dunamaise Arts Centre.

In a lonely cabin lit by firelight, a scarred man holds two strangers captive. As the snow falls outside, their night unravels into confession, absurdity, and revelation.

Character Elijah Bright- 'The Burned Man'- seeks vengeance for the fire that killed his wife. But as the truth flickers to life, nothing is as it seems, and the line between victim and villain burns away.

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The production stars Daniel Murray as Elijah Bright, Rosenallis man Seán Doyle as Conroy, and Claire Lemass as Morrigan.

Director Patrick Fogarty has received raving reviews for seamlessly weaving comedic moments into high intensity scenes, leaving the audience laughing- on the edge of their seats.

Daniel Murray, Seán Doyle and Claire Lemass' chemistry is almost tangible. Mr Murray's portrayal of a violent man wrought with grief is unpredictable, tense and wrought with anticipation. The audience feels as though they too are trapped with the terrifying Elijah Bright.

This tension is never truly punctured, but ebbed creatively by the hilarious bickering of Seán Doyle and Claire Lemass' characters. 

Characters Conroy and Morrigan are perfect foils of one another, bouncing off each other to the delight of the audience.

"We are all amateur theatre lovers, Daniel and I co-founded the company and we are looking forward to bringing The Burned Man to Laois," Mr Fogarty told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Pictured: Playwright and director Patrick Fogarty, co-founder of Fomóire Productions

'The Burned Man' is a black thriller comedy, similar to the style of Mark McDonagh's 'Banshees of Inisherin', 'In Bruges' and 'The Guard'.

"I suppose the comparisons people have made is down to my sense of humour that comes across in the play, I try to write an enjoyable story and the dialogue comes out like this. I think it's just my style," he laughed.

"We began touring in Thurles and were nervous as to how people would receive it, people have really enjoyed the show and given great reviews," he said.

The play will travel to Kildare, Mountmellick, Galway and Portlaoise this month. After a short break, they will return to Tullamore in June.

"It can be hard to establish yourself, the theatre scene is quite small. We are new faces and we are not big names," Mr Fogarty admitted.

Pictured: The stunning set and fantastic trio of 'The Burned Man'; Seán Doyle, Claire Lemass and Daniel Murray

"For me, I want to make theatre accessible for people so it is enjoyable. I want theatre to be seen like hurling and GAA matches, where people go and enjoy themselves, and come home talking about it," he said.

"There are so many great amateur groups in the Midlands, and people will see this in Mountmellick at the theatre festival."

Mr Fogarty studied Drama and Irish in university, and has worked as a drama teacher for several years.

"Our passion has always been theatre, for Daniel and I. As I child I went to local plays, there was something in the atmosphere of the audience that I was compelled by," he explained.

"It was like watching a really good match, everyone is together and it's unfolding live in front of you. It's a communal experience, something you don't get at home watching TV."

The director believes that the standards of some productions have dwindled, which may have put some people off live theatre.

"I think theatre is the best art form, but there's a lot of bad theatre. It's sadly rare to see a really good production," he said.

"I don't think that theatre is dying, I think that the playwright is. A lot of theatre productions are of the old classics, it is a bit frustrating if you are sending out plays for the last eight or nine years. The only way to see a play produced is to do it yourself, and ask for goodwill from others," he said.

"You see a batch of O'Casey plays staged regularly, they are fantastic but it can be disheartening. We have seen and loved those stories, but we want to see something new too," he said.

"New plays aren't being seen as much as the classics, the playwright is dying and theatre is suffering as a result," Mr Fogarty finished.

This production of Mr Fogarty's 'The Burned Man' brings relief in its demonstration that the art of the playwright is still very much alive.

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'The Burned Man' by Patrick Fogarty, starring Daniel Murray, Seán Doyle and Claire Lemass will be staged at the Mountmellick Theatre Festival on Sunday March 8, and the Dunamaise Arts Centre on Thursday March 19.

Fomóire Productions are excited to welcome Laois audiences to their shows. Tickets available in the Dunamaise Arts Centre box office and website.