Drama and tension unfold in Leitrim’s Corn Mill Theatre this Easter

The Corn Mill Theatre Group is set to stage a powerful new production of A Whistle in the Dark by renowned Irish playwright Tom Murphy this Easter. Performances will take place on Easter Sunday, April 20, and Easter Monday, April 21, at 8pm in the Corn Mill Theatre, offering audiences an up-close and intense encounter with one of Murphy’s most enduring works.

Directed by Raymond Hackett, this production brings together a dynamic cast including Killian McGuinness, Mark Connolly, Derek O’Reilly, Oisín Hourican, Larry O’Halloran, Philip McIntyre, Brían Murray and Gwen Brady. Killian McGuinness takes on the iconic role of Dada in a performance that promises to be both gripping and emotionally charged. Set within the intimate space of the Corn Mill Theatre, the audience will be drawn directly into the world of the Carneys, witnessing the drama unfold as if seated in their very living room.

A Whistle in the Dark tells the story of Michael Carney, an Irishman living in Coventry with his young wife, Betty. He offers shelter to his three younger brothers as they try to find their footing in a new country. However, instead of gratitude, Michael is met with hostility. As tension builds, he finds himself increasingly isolated and terrorised in his own home. First produced in 1961 under its original title The Iron Men, the play was a landmark moment in British theatre when it opened at the Theatre Royal in Stratford East, London. It later transferred to the West End and cemented Tom Murphy’s reputation as one of Ireland’s most important dramatic voices.

Born in Tuam, Co. Galway, Murphy drew deeply from his Irish roots throughout his career. At just 24, he co-wrote his first play On the Outside before penning A Whistle in the Dark, which went on to become his most performed and best-known work. Over the years, he continued to break boundaries with plays such as Famine, The Morning After Optimism, The Sanctuary Lamp, and The Gigli Concert. His long-standing relationship with the Druid Theatre Company resulted in a series of landmark productions during the 1980s, including Conversations on a Homecoming and Bailegangaire. In 2012, Druid honoured his legacy with DruidMurphy, a major international tour celebrating three of his most celebrated works, including A Whistle in the Dark.

This Easter’s revival at the Corn Mill Theatre brings Murphy’s fierce, uncompromising vision back to the stage. The production is supported by set designer Loui Finnegan, lighting designers Seamus Farrell and Mark McDermott, and sound designers Daniel Mimna and Eamonn Daly. Orla Brady and Sarah Slattery lead the backstage team.

Doors open 30 minutes before the 8pm start time, and audience members are encouraged to arrive at least 15 minutes early, as latecomers will not be admitted. Tickets are priced at €18 and should be presented on the night either in print or on a phone.

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