Treat in store for Longford audiences as Cilleo Yew Tree Players stage two exciting plays

Cilleo Yew Tree Players are putting the finishing touches to their Autumn one act offerings and local audiences are in for a real treat.

Pat McCarthy, who recently took over the role of chairman at the Cilleo Yew Tree Players from John Doherty, told the Leader about Dead Man's Bells and Backwater, the two plays the group are undertaking.

“The group are going to perform Dead Man's Bells on the one act circuit. It's a play we staged last year and it got a great reaction,” Pat said.

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The local show is in advance of the five night tour around the country as part of the One Act Festival circuit.

“The evening will start with our production of John B Keane's Backwater. We're very excited about bringing this wonderful show to the local audience,” Pat said.

Backwater is a heartfelt comedy-drama in which Keane examines the mother-son relationship, exploring the indifference and ingratitude of an only son to his widowed mother.

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'Backwater' tells the story of Jimmy Swan who arrives home to Ireland from London to visit his mother after a nine year absence.

His visit coincides with the annual carnival in the village and he brings his two friends Sammy and Eddie to stay for the ten days of the carnival. Jimmy's arrival triggers a series of events that neither he or his mother could have forseen.

The play explores themes close to the playwright’s heart; love, emigration, family conflicts and the small pleasures of life in a rural Irish backwater.

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Directed by Mickey Kenny this play stars Eddie Quinn, Marie Brady, Adam McCarthy and Cian Gilna.

The second offering of the night is ‘Dead Man’s Bells’ written by Meabh de Brún. For this play Damien Bennett takes on the role of director. This dark comedy is a Gothic rural tale of inheritance, rivalry and misdeeds told by three sisters.

The fast paced and snappy dialogue sees each of the three actors take on a number of characters and this award winning play is sure to be a hilarious hit in Ennybegs.

Sharon Finneran is the elder sister, Carmel Kennedy the middle and Joanne Dunne the younger sister.

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Pat says there is a lot to look forward to: “Deadman’s Bells proved to be very popular. It's just a beautiful little piece, and the acting is top drawer.

“It's a little bit different from your normal play. Backwater is more traditional, it's an out-and-out John B Keane play.”

The shows will be performed in the Ennybegs Community Centre on Sunday October 20, and Monday October 21.

As always these shows are going to be very popular, so early booking is advised. To book text 087 2911994 giving your name and seats required. Tickets are €10, with the shows commencing at 8pm.