Picture: Keith Wiseman
THE press launch for Torch Players’ 40th year production, ‘The Cripple of Inismaan’, was affectionate and lively. It’s going to be showtime at Belltable from March 1 to 5, hence Bobby Byrne’s Bar was scene for cast, crew, director Maurice O’Sullivan and support to roll out the news.
Deputy mayor John Loftus was invited to officiate and company pillar Ollie Hayes was MC.
The decision to stage this dark, comedic Martin McDonagh was partly down to it being hot off the West End with Pat Shortt, Daniel Radcliffe as Cripple Billy Claven, and Ingrid Craigie.
Pic: Keith Wiseman
“Because of last year – when we had such a success with ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ – we wanted something that would be a big name, a big draw,” Maurice commented sensibly.
Torch Players are determined to give it welly. Casting finalised for the most part in 2015 with Expressive Arts School’s Pearl Kiely sourcing three actors for the company: the familiar Dan Mooney as BabbyBobby. The newcomers are young James Corr as Cripple Billy and Oisín Gogarty playing Bartley.
Micheál Ó Dubhghaill is JohnnyPateenMike, son to Mammy O’Dougal (Mary Harvey): “And we hate each other, I’m trying to poison her with drink these past 40 years”.
Picture: Keith Wiseman
It’s a return to character for this charismatic actor/ producer who played the role in Taibhearc seven years ago. Ó Dubhghaill makes the point that McDonagh’s text translated beautifully to the Irish language, ever that English man’s influential lilt.
Peter Hayes makes a welcome return to acting after a hiatus for parenthood; Edel Heaney plays Eileen and Antoinette Portley is Kate, Billy’s (bogus) aunties. Visit www.limetreetheatre.ie to book for Belltable at 69 O’Connell Street.
P.S. Kudos to Ken Coleman for stunning 3-D artwork on The Cripple’s poster.
