After a time marked and saddened by the passing of one of their towers of strength, members of the Scartaglin based Sliabh Luachra Drama Group are back threading the boards.
This year’s addition to their always appreciated offerings is Translations by Brian Friel at their local heritage centre from this weekend on.
There’s a habit or tradition of extra shows being scheduled due to genuine demand for their productions. They’ve been down the Friel road before in 2005 with Dancing at Luaghnasa and that was one of the plays which went down really well with the Scart audiences.
Passing of Derot O’Leary
“The group has had a very difficult time recently with the sad passing of our dear friend and fellow thespian Dermot O’Leary last summer,” said group and cast member, Moira O’Connor-Hughes.
“Dermot was an integral part of the Sliabh Luachra Drama Group and had been involved in set construction while also acting since 2002.
“He won the best actor in the West Limerick Drama Festival in 2015 and he was a stalwart in the group – a man people loved seeing on stage year after year.
Left a Void
“It was very difficult coming together last autumn without Dermot. He has left a void in the group that’s irreplaceable.
“Because of his love for drama and for the Sliabh Luachra Drama Group, we felt that he would want us to regroup and get back on the stage again and continue to deliver another production to the people of Scartaglin and the wider community.
“His presence will be forever felt in the group and we will continue to do him proud. No doubt he is smiling down on us as we put together the final pieces of this year’s production,” said Moira.
Translations – The Play
Translations is a three act play set in Baile Beag, a Donegal village in 19th Century Ireland and the action takes place in a hedge school.
It deals with issues of communication and language, as well as Irish history and how language can have different meanings for different people.
A powerful play with romance and humour.
And the Cast …
The cast is as follows: Manus, Freddie Galvin; Sarah, Geraldine Pigott; Jimmy Jack, Danny McClure; Maire, Elaine Prendiville; Doalty, Gerard O’Connor; Bridget, Moira Hughes; Hugh, Mossy Butler; Owen, John Walsh; Captain Lancey, Tim Dineen and Lieutenant Yolland, Vincent Salmon. Producer, Nora Walsh.
New Members
“We’re delighted to welcome three new members to the group in Elaine Prendiville, Gerard O’Connor and Mossy Butler,” Moira continued.
“We loved the challenge of this year’s play. In 2005 we did Dancing at Luaghnasa, another of Friel’s plays and this was very well received by our local audiences.
“Brian Friel creates wonderful characters that are both interesting and challenging to take on and this year’s production will once again delight our loyal followers,” Moira concluded.
Staging and Booking Information
Translations will be staged this weekend on Friday, Saturday and Sunday 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Friday, Saturday and Sunday 8th, 9th and 10th of February at 8pm nightly in the Heritage Centre Scartaglen.
Bookings can be taken on 087 24 34 000. Adults €10. Concessions €8.
It is a production not to be missed!
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