Local Tipperary drama group are on the money with production of 'Cash on Delivery'

Nenagh Players latest production, the hilarious fast-paced farce Cash on Delivery, which opened on Tuesday, November 11, in Nenagh Arts Centre, continues until this Saturday, November 15, with curtain up at 8pm each evening.

The two-act comedy by Michael Cooney, in which a man who has been fraudulently claiming welfare benefits tries to hide his deception when a government inspector arrives, is a riotous comedy of errors involving a cast of characters that include a lodger, a psychiatrist, a bereavement counselor, and a myriad other unexpected guests.

Eric Swan, played by Nenagh Players regular Kevin Ryan, is the con artist who has fraudulently claimed every type of benefit for the innumerable people he claims live at his address, netting him tens of thousands tax free over a number of years.

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But just when he decides to kill off many of the imaginary welfare recipients because matters are getting a bit too risky, welfare investigators show up - some make inquiries about what is going on while others offer additional benefits for which he has not yet applied. What will Eric decide to do?

To outwit the investigators, Eric enlists help from one of his real lodgers and from his Uncle Georgie, who also volunteers to convince his nephew's wife that he is not a transvestite! Nabbed in the end, Eric is offered a job in the agency's fraud investigation unit because he knows all of the tricks.

Director and Players stalwart Kevin Walshe, has assembled a cast that mixes experience with youth for this side-splitting production.

Though only a member of the Players since 2021, Helen Kinsella as Eric's suffering and bewildered wife, Linda, has already become a familiar face on the arts centre stage, having taken roles in Witness for the Prosecution, Calendar Girls and Boeing! Boeing! to name but a few.

Making a welcome return to the Players is Patrick Rohan, who has taken part in numerous productions with the group over the years.

Anthony White, as Mr Forde, has previously played the part of photographer Lawrence in Calendar Girls and has directed and taken part in many sketches performed by the Players as part of dinner theatre and Heritage Week.

Other regulars include Noel Stanley as the scheming Uncle George; Marie Nagle as Sally Costello and Sharon Kelly, also a regular with Nenagh Choral Society, plays Dr Carey. Caroline Morgan, who appeared in the one-act comedy The Lithium Waltz, and played Gretchen, the German air hostess in Boeing! Boeing! takes the part of Brenda.

They will be joined by newcomers Calvin Coleman as John Jones, and Ann Marie Byrne as Ms Clifford.

Tickets, €20/€18, can be had through Nenagh Arts Centre at nenagharts.com; phone: 067-34400.