Blue Raincoat Theatre Company brings ‘Mother Courage’ to Mayo

Blue Raincoat Theatre Company will bring its production of ‘Mother Courage and her Children’ to Ballina Arts Centre on Saturday, October 31, as part of a national autumn tour.

Directed by the company’s artistic director, Niall Henry, the production revisits one of the most celebrated plays of the 20th century, widely regarded as a powerful work of anti-war theatre.

Written by German playwright Bertolt Brecht, ‘Mother Courage and her Children’ is set in 17th-century Europe during the Thirty Years’ War. It follows Anna Fierling, known as Mother Courage, who travels with the armies in a canteen wagon, selling provisions while struggling to protect and keep her three children together.

Blue Raincoat, the company behind productions including Shackleton and The Third Policeman, first presented the production at The Factory Performance Space in Sligo in November 2024.

Mr Henry said the response to the premiere had encouraged the company to bring the show to audiences around the country.

“We were very excited by the Sligo audience reaction to Mother Courage when it premiered at The Factory in November 2024 and are really looking forward to bringing it to new audiences around the country,” he said.

Sandra O’Malley plays Mother Courage, with John Carty, Aisling Mannion, Bob Kelly, Áine Ní Laoghaire and Brian Devaney also appearing in the cast.

The production features music direction by Joe Hunt, set design by Jamie Vartan, lighting by Berry McKinney and costumes by Maura Logue.

Blue Raincoat Theatre Company is Ireland’s longest-running theatre ensemble and is known for its varied theatrical work, from adaptations of Lewis Carroll and Flann O’Brien to original productions such as Shackleton and The Last Pearl.

Over the years, the company has helped establish and develop a range of arts initiatives, including an arts festival, youth theatre, children’s theatre festival and theatre academy, alongside its home at The Factory Performance Space in Sligo.

The company thanked the support of Creative Ireland, the Arts Council and Sligo County Council.

‘Mother Courage and her Children’ will be staged at Ballina Arts Centre on Saturday, October 31.

Tickets cost €18, or €16 at the concession rate, with booking fees potentially applying.

Tickets and further information are available through the Ballina Arts Centre website or by contacting the venue on 096 73593.