Clanabogan Drama Circle to bring play to Burnavon

Clanabogan Drama Circle will be bringing laughter and entertainment to Cookstown when they take to the Burnavon Theatre for the very first time to perform their hilarious, family-friendly play next month.

The amateur drama group, based on the outskirts of Omagh, simply can’t wait to perform their award-winning production of ‘Fortunes and Misfortunes’ on Friday, April 12 at 8pm.

Written by Irish playwright, Jimmy Keary, Clanabogan Drama Circle (CDC) say that this is a night not to be missed – particularly as the group won the prestigious ‘Audience Award’ at this year’s Newtownstewart Drama Festival.

Meet the cast

The opening act of Fortunes and Misfortunes is set in the Cosy Corner Café, with Daisy Fortune – played by Veronica McAfee – sharing her disenchantment with the drudgery of life as a waitress, under the watchful eye of café owner, Gloria Harte, played by Nora O’Neill.

Veronica is joined on stage by Aoife Clerkin, the irresponsible and grouchy waitress, Gina Berry. Gina is most dismayed with the lack of romance emanating from Daisy’s son, Nathan, played by group newcomer, Ruairí Hanratty.

In spite of the devoted attention from his mother and prospective girlfriend, Nathan’s affections lie in his beloved pet lizard, Kylie… and this leads to much chaos and comedy!

Liam Moore makes a welcome return from his CDC debut last year, and plays the role of Father McCabe.

A genteel man of the cloth, he is regularly humiliated by the local self-entitled femme fatale, Wanda Hunt, played by CDC stalwart, Joan McCrystal.

Recently-divorced Wanda has her eyes set on the local schoolmaster, Bill Delaney, played by Gerry McDermott, who does his best to cool her heated advances.

Meanwhile, Bill’s wife, Oonagh, played by Dympna Slevin – who makes a welcome return to the group – is determined to reach the lofty heights of head honcho of the local poetry society.

An opportunity to host a rather neurotic poet with notions of grandeur named Aubrey Peacock – played by newcomer to CDC Vivian Grimley – causes all sorts of madness, as his fear of lizards and loathing of lavender leads to all sorts of melodrama on stage.

Meanwhile, Oonagh’s determination to become a published poet are thwarted by Hilary Swan, played by yet another newcomer to CDC, Mary Thornton. Hilary’s jealousy and lack of tolerance set Oonagh’s head in a spin. Add in a lizard with the escape skills of Houdini, and CDC are set to provide much laughter for the Omagh audiences.

Emma Pearson and Marie Hague are co-directors of the production, and are delighted with the mix of CDC regulars and newcomers to provide an abundance of comedic moments.

Beautiful set

Eugene Lynam, the set designer has surpassed himself in creating a beautiful recreation of a rural café which encompasses many secret elements which allows for a swift and seamless scene change into the Delaney sitting room for Acts 2 & 3.

The group are indebted to Eugene’s vision and ingenuity in the many weeks spent creating and building the set, which enhances the production quality of the play.

Brendan Devlin, the sound manager and group secretary, remains the backbone of the team, ensuring CDC make it onto the many stages of the North West over the coming months.

Laura Quinn continues in her role in continuity providing reassurance for the performers on stage, whilst Mary Bradley and Geraldine McLaughlin return in their roles, ensuring all props are accurate and the performers are perfectly attired in appropriate costumes.

Brian McKenna makes another welcome cameo as a photographer in the final scene of the play.

The group is most appreciative of the time given by the backstage crew who help to transport, build and transform the set. Gerard McKenna, Jim McGread, Gerry Quinn and Sean Hanratty are welcome additions to the production team this year.

This is a fast-paced, contemporary family-friendly play not to be missed – with a wealth of laugh-out-loud moments in the mad-capped, farce-like hit comedy!

Tickets are £15 (adult) and £12 (concession), and can be purchased through the Burnavon website at ‘www.burnavon.com/home’.