Longford Drama Group is gearing up for their highly anticipated spring production

We are in the very heart of Longford's drama season and Cilloe Yew Tree Players are set to stage their Spring production.

The Ennybegs group are putting the finishing touches to their 2025 offerings and local audiences are in for a real treat.

Director Mickey Kenny takes the helm as Cilloe Yew Tree Players present Alice Lynch's hilarious The Cheque is in the Post.

Set in the rural Ireland of the 1970's rural Ireland this is the story of Maggie and Mary. The sisters run their farm without any help - as far as anyone knows.

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In an old house up a long lane of potholes and empty whiskey bottles, with regular visits from a banshee and a neighbour who has his eye on the land, they live inharmoniously until Mary realises her disadvantage cheque hasn't arrived.

Paul McCarthy, the chairman at the Cilleo Yew Tree Players, and one of the company taking to the stage, told the Leader about the play: “The gist of it is that a lady is waiting for her subsidy cheque to come in the post and there's no sign of it.

“It's set in Cavan and the story is built around finding out where did the cheque got to in the first place.”

The play came to the group's attention thanks to one of the cast: “One of the actresses in this year's play, Marie Brady, saw it performed in Carrigallen a few years ago. She thought it would be one that would be perfect for us. Our audiences like comedy, so we decided to give it a go.

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“There's three main characters and then the rest come and go as the story develops.”

Established in 1989, and a member of the Drama League of Ireland, Cilleo Yew Tree Players have gained a reputation for quality performances: “The group is going strong,” Paul says, “The important thing is to try and bring in new people. We have a good crew of people who want to be a part of the group, both as actors and behind the scenes, we're all mad to keep it lit.

“We've get great support from all of the surrounding parishes, with crowds regularly filling up Ennybegs Community Centre.

It's a comfortable spot to sit and watch a play in. It's not Backstage but it's, but it has the “old time” feel about it. People enjoy coming down there.”

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Paul will be joined onstage by Sharon Finneran, Marie Brady, Colm Hughes, John Fitzsimons, Tommy Mollaghan, Eddie Quinn, Mairead Moorhead, Carmel Kennedy and Anita Bratten.

The group chair says the show will offer an antidote to the stresses of the world: “It's an evening of light entertainment. I'll give the audience a break to relax and get away from the stresses of the hullabaloo that are constantly on the radios and the televisions nowadays. I think it's important just to get away from it and have a laugh.”

The shows will be performed in the Ennybegs Community Centre from Saturday March 22, to Monday March 24. 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 €15, with the shows commencing at 8pm.