Nenagh Players present 'The Field' for 75th anniversary
The Nenagh Players are celebrating their 75th anniversary this year and have decided to present a classic of Irish Theatre, 'The Field' by John B Keane, considered by many to be his most powerful and evocative work.
It will run at Nenagh Arts Centre from next Wednesday, November 14th, to Sunday, November 18th.
John B Keane’s play 'The Field' is a very well-known play, this is the group's third time to do it. The last time they did the play was 1987. The play debuted in the Olympia Theatre in Dublin in 1965, and even after 53 years, it has not lost its relevance.
The play tells the story of the Bull McCabe (Kevin Walshe) and the land he loves, which he rents from his neighbour the widow Maggie Butler (Grainne de Stafford). When Maggie decides the sell the land, the Bull considers the land his own and has no intention of paying the value of the land. This seems to be going his way until Galway man William Dee arrives from England to the village and he is willing to pay more for the land.
An encounter between Dee and the McCabes ends in bloodshed and the cover-up which follows involves the intervention of the clergy and the law in an attempt to expose the truth of the matter.
The cast are as follows: Kevin Walshe (Bull McCabe), Mike Ryan, (Tadhg McCabe), Noel Stanley (The Bird O'Donnell), Kevin Ryan (Mick Flanagan), Maggie Smith (Maimie Flanagan), Grainne De Stafford (Maggie Butler), Donal Bray (William Dee), Conal Daly (Leamy Flanagan), Sean Butler (Dandy McCabe), Heather Broad (Mrs McCabe), Kevin Whelan (Sergeant Leahy), Seamus McCarthy (The Bishop) and Stuart Andrew (Fr Murphy).
'The Field' is directed by Irene O'Meara. Irene has a lot of experience in acting and directing with the Nenagh Players and the Borrisokane Players, Aisteoirí an Aonaigh, DramsocNUIG and other drama groups over the years. She also has adjudicated in a number of drama festivals across the country. Irene has directed John B Keane's 'Sive' for the group.
The last time the Nenagh Players presented 'The Field' was in 1987; three of the current cast were involved - Kevin Walshe, Noel Stanley and Seamus McCarthy. Kevin played the part of Tadhg, Noel played the part of the Bird, the same part he plays in this production, and Seamus played the part of William Dee.
We are delighted once again to be holding a gala night to raise funds for the Nenagh Special Summer Camp on our opening night, November 14th at 8pm. There will be cheese and wine reception in Rocky O'Sullivan's Bar on Kickham Street.
Congratulations to the Special Summer Camp committee on their Civic Reception from Tipperary County Council, a well-deserved recognition for their 30 years' service to our community.
Tickets for the gala night can be purchased from any Nenagh Special Summer Camp or Nenagh Players committee member. Tickets for the performances on November 15th - 18th can be got by calling Nenagh Arts Centre on (067) 34400 or by visiting the website https://www.nenagharts.com/index.php/theatre/.