The Healy-Raes are embarking on a world tour of Kerry through a new play written by Killarney storyteller and actor Ray O’Sullivan.
The Rise and Rise of the Healy-Raes is set to take to the stage at the Ivy Leaf Art Centre here in Castleisland on this Saturday night at 8pm.
An additional, local interest is the fact that the talented Currow dancer and now actress, Annmarie Nelligan is part of the cast.
A Life of Loneliness and Celibacy
The play revolves around a hilarious and sometimes poignant story of batchelor brothers, Densey and PJ Doona who appear time-locked in a life of loneliness and celibacy in their small family farm in Kerry.
But foreign women, love, elections and politics combine to change their lives, with the well-oiled Healy-Rae machine at the centre of the miraculous transformation.
Sold-Out in Beaufort
The play’s world tour of Kerry runs for six nights at six different venues across Kerry. It opened at Beaufort Community Centre on March 11th and will finish at St John’s Theatre in Listowel on April 20th.
It’s the first time the remarkable story of Healy-Rae politics has been crafted into a dramatic production for stage.
Written by Ray O’Sullivan, it’s the Cork native’s first full-length play. O’Sullivan, who also stars the play, is no stranger to the stage and has earned a reputation as an original and talented storyteller, seanchaí and actor.
Directed by Aidan O’Connor
The play is directed by Aidan O’Connor, journalist and writer/director of the hit drama ‘Patrick’ which had a phenomenal run in Kerry last year.
“The story of the Healy-Raes is one which has been told in many ways over the years, but this is the first time it’s being played out on stage. In many ways, it was a drama waiting to unfold,” said the writer.
“Ray O’Sullivan has shown tremendous bravery in tackling such a well-known yet gigantic movement as the Healy-Raes. What he has done is pen a very funny and moving piece of work that Kerry audiences will thoroughly enjoy,” said Director Aidan O’Connor.
Dates and Venues: The play opened to a sell out crowd in Beaufort Community Centre on Saturday, March 11th. and Castleisland on Saturday night is its second show on the road. Castleisland Ivy Leaf: Saturday, March 25th, 8pm.; Kenmare Carnegie Centre: Saturday, April 1st.; Scartaglen Heritage Centre: Saturday, April 8th, 8pm.; Killarney INEC Acoustic Club: Thursday, April 13th, 8pm.; Listowel, St John’s Theatre, Thursday, April 20th, 8pm.
Tickets available at the door or by calling 087 2279657
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