The Field Opens for Six Night Run in Scartaglen on Friday Night at 8pm

Sliabh Luachra Drama Group cast and crew pictured during a dress rehearsal on Sunday afternoon for their stage production of John B. Keane’s play The Field which is opening on Friday night at 8pm in Scartaglen. Included are, seated: Lorraine Salmon, Moira Hughes, Catriona Fleming, Stella and Millie Hughes, John Walsh, Luke Salmon, Seán Lucey, Moss Hughes, Vincent and Frank Salmon and Pa Reidy. Standing, from left: Seán McGuire, Mossie Spillane, Danny McClure, Frances O’Connor, sound and lighting; Mollie Mahony, backstage; Nora Walsh, director; Paul Murphy, sound and lighting; Muireann Walsh, backstage; Colm McAuliffe and Danny O’Leary. ©Photograph: John Reidy

The Deed is done: William Dee played by Pa Reidy has been done in and suspicians are aroused as he is surrounded by Fr. Murphy – Seán McGuire; The Bird O’Donnell – Vincent Salmon, The Bull McCabe – John Walsh and Tadhg McCabe – Seán Lucey in the Sliabh Luachra Drama Group’s production of The Field by John B. Keane which opens for a six night run at the Sliabh Luachra Heritage Centre on Friday night at 8pm. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Under Suspicion: The Bull McCabe, The Bird O’Donnell and Tadhg McCabe played by: John Walsh, Vincent Salmon and Seán Lucey respectively during a break in the Sliabh Luachra Drama Group rehearsals for their production of John B. Keane’s play The Field on Sunday afternoon. The play will be staged in Scartaglen from the coming Friday night at 8pm in the Sliabh Luachra Heritage Centre in the first of a six night run. ©Photograph: John Reidy

The Sliabh Luachra Drama Group presents The Field by John B. Keane on this Friday, January 2nd, Saturday 3rd, Sunday 4th, Monday 5th and Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of February in the Heritage Centre Scartaglen at 8pm nightly.

“We’re very excited to be back performing a John B. Keane play this year. John B’s plays always go down so well with our audiences as the characters are very relatable,” said Moira Hughes on behalf of the group.

The Field is a Classic

“The Field is a classic of his and although people are probably more familiar with seeing this on screen, the play offers something different and has a little variation from the screen production.

“The Field has always been in the pipeline for the group but we always choose a play around the people we have in the group on that particular year and this year felt the perfect time,” said Moira.

“Everyone is cast so well and, as a result, it will be a wonderful production that people will truly enjoy.

“Other successful productions of John B. plays that we have produced over the years include: Moll, Sive, The Year Of The Hiker and Sharon’s Grave.

Love of The Land

“The Feld is perhaps John B’s well known play. It tells the story of the hardened Irish farmer and his love for the land he rents.It was first performed in 1965 in Dublin’s Olympia Theatre. The play has the ‘Bull’ McCabe as its central character and, for us, it is wonderfully acted by John Walsh who is no stranger to the stage for the Sliabh Luachra Drama Group.

“This play explores many themes; humour, love of the land, greed, power, redemption and forgiveness.

“This is why the play is so powerful. We are delighted to have three new members on stage this year as well as our old reliables! The play also has the Flanagan children which will be played by what we hope will be the next generation of the group!

Remembering Joan

“We are also remembering a founding member Joan Browne who passed away recently. Joan was a loyal member in the past and thread the boards in many of our plays including our very first John B. production ‘Moll’. She was a great character who was a natural actress and always had a roguish

smile that would light up a room. We remember her fondly and are thinking of her family at this sad time,” Moira continued.

“We are really looking forward to opening night. We have a wonderful following which we have built up over the years and last year we had an amazing run of nine nights of the comedy ‘The Maidens Aunt‘ by Jimmy Keary while also raising €7,020 for the Jack and Jill Foundation. The generosity of people was unbelievable.”

Brú Columbanus to Benefit

This year our chosen charity is Brú Columbanus a charity that provides accommodation for the relatives of seriously ill patients in hospitals in Cork.

“It depends on donation and fund raising initiatives to cover the running costs of the house. It is a wonderful charity and has been an unbelievable comfort to so many who have found themselves on this difficult journey.

Tea/coffee and treats will be on sale in the kitchen at the interval. Bookings early is advisable to avoid disappointment!

Cast and Crew

This year’s production is produced by Nora Walsh. The cast is as follows: Leamy Flanagan – Colm McAuliffe; Bird O’Donnell – Vincent Salmon; Mick Flanagan -Danny O’Leary; Mrs. Butler – Lorraine Salmon; Maimie Flanagan – Moira Hughes; Bull McCabe – John Walsh; Tadhg McCabe – Sean Lucey; Sergeant Leahy – Tim Dineen; William Dee – Pa Reidy; Dandy McCabe – Danny McClure; Mrs. McCabe – Catriona Fleming; Father Murphy – Sean McGuire; Bishop – Mossie

Butler; Flanagan Children: Millie Hughes, Frank Salmon, Moss Hughes, Luke Salmon and Stella Hughes.Back Stage; Muireann Walsh, Paul Murphy, Frances O’Connor and Mollie Mahony.

Adults €10 and seniors/students €8. Bookings on 087 18 60 360.

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