Ballymacelligott Drama Group to Stage ‘Off the Hook’

Ballymacelligott Drama Group members are currently in rehearsals for their production of Off the Hook – a farce by Derek Benfield. The play will be staged at Ivy Leaf Theatre here in Castleisland from this Friday, January 29th and on the following Saturday and Sunday nights, January 30th and 31st at 8pm nightly.
It’s another enjoyable and funny production from the group. The cast is made up of: Catherine Leahy, Mick Bolger, Kay Dowling, Maurice O’Connell, Tom O’Sullivan, Una Kerins, Leo O’Connor and Siobhan O’Connor.

Two New Members
“There are two new members on stage this year, Cillian Rahilly and Gail Groves. This production is produced by Ita O’Brien and, long with the cast,  there is a great back stage crew who will make sure all is ready for the weekend ahead. This is the 24th production by the group – which was founded in 1990,” said spokesperson, Siobhán O’Connor.

The play is set in the Hook House Hotel run by Major Catchpole and his wife. The drama starts with the arrival of three guest who cause some chaos during their stay as they set out to find something left behind by a previous guest.
The plot revolves around when Harold Spooks is sprung from prison in order to tell the gang where in the hotel he stashed the loot, it seems that everything is going to plan.

A Bit of an Idiot

Unfortunately, he’s the wrong Harold Spooks and this Harold has no idea where the money is hidden. He’s also a bit of an idiot and liable to give the game away at any moment.

Actor and playwright, Derek Benfield.
Actor and playwright, Derek Benfield.

Add a few wacky women – Norah, the man-eating manageress, Edna who is always interrupting, and the redoubtable Mrs Fletcher-Brewer and you are in for a farce and a half!

For further information contact Siobhan O’Connor on 087 28 94 805. The tickets booking number is: 087 38 18 894.

About the Author
The author, Derek Benfield (March 11-1926 to March 10-2009) was a British playwright and actor.

As a playwright he wrote more than 30 stage plays.
He will be best known for his character portrayal as transport company foreman, Bill Riley in the UK television series The Brothers in the early 1970s.

He also appeared for a spell on Coronation Street from 1961–69 and on Rumpole of the Bailey from1978 to 80.