Longford's Backstage Theatre Group shines at autumn evening of one acts

Backstage Theatre Group (BTG) delivered a sold-out, captivating night of theatre on October 18th and 19th with An Autumn Evening of One Acts. The event featured three plays that explored themes of judgment, identity, and family secrets, showcasing the talent of local actors and writers in a gripping mix of drama, comedy, and intrigue.

Opening the night was Smile Handsome, written by Liz O’Hanlon and directed by Mary McLoughlin. Set in a women’s prison, the play tells the story of Kathleen, a Traveller woman imprisoned for shoplifting, who must navigate the complexities of life alongside two other inmates from the settled community. While addressing cultural divides, the play’s central focus is on the broader theme of human judgment.

O'Hanlon attended the Friday night performance and expressed her delight in how the actors vividly brought her play to life.

She explained that her work speaks to how we, as people, judge each other: "When I wrote it, I really wrote it just about how we judge each other as human beings."

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With a perfect blend of humor and tragedy, Smile Handsome resonated with audiences. Niamh Hanley delivered a standout performance as Kathleen, supported by Sarah O’Keeffe as Josie and Aine Brady as Top Dog. O’Hanlon, who grew up observing human behavior while working in a shop in Cavan, noted that her experiences informed the authenticity of the dialogue:

"I was always exposed to all walks of life. I’ve always been curious about how people judge each other—who are we to judge?"
A psychologist by day, O’Hanlon draws on her insights into human behavior, which influence her writing. She added, "Kathleen was very bravado, but she was also hiding a lot of stuff, just like all of us."

Next came Fred Astaire, written by Frankie Houlihan and directed by Christine O’Brien. This play centered on Charlie (Oisin Hourican), who finds himself torn between the manipulative affections of his mother (Dee Monahan) and wife (Michele Ciba). Both women try to shape Charlie into someone he’s not, creating a powerful exploration of identity and the emotional toll of trying to meet others’ expectations. Hourican’s portrayal of Charlie’s struggle was both moving and relatable.

The night concluded with Piseog, a dark comedy by Laura Pendergast and Dan Sullivan, directed by Ollie Kenny. Set in rural Ireland, it follows three estranged siblings—Johnie (Laura Brennan), Al (Deirdre Brennan), and Tom Leary (Killian Reid)—who return home for their mother’s funeral. Their tense reunion takes a strange turn with the arrival of a mysterious stranger (Tom Lyons), leading to the unearthing of long-buried family secrets. With its blend of supernatural intrigue and biting humor, Piseog kept the audience both laughing and on edge.

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BTG’s An Autumn Evening of One Acts delivered a diverse and thought-provoking mix of performances. From the tragicomedy of Smile Handsome to the sinister humour of Piseog, each play offered something unique, leaving audiences entertained and eager for more from this talented theatre group.