Billy Coilman is on the march

FOLLOWING two sold-out shows in the Alley Theatre, Orange Is The New Green is already looking to the future, taking the show on the road.

The show, which is the brainchild of Niall Blee and local stand-up Ronan Boyle took to the stage last week to packed houses which left comedy fans waxing lyrical for days after.

Speaking to the WeAreTyrone, Ronan is elated with how things turned out.

“I couldn’t be happier, the same goes for the rest of the cast. Over the two nights our audience really engaged with the show, laughing, and really getting into the spirit of things,” he said. “People came from all over to watch us perform.

“I wish I had someone outside with a phone as the show ended capturing people’s reactions because from the moment people left the Alley on Friday night social media was abuzz, filled with positive reactions. Nobody left short-changed.

“No doubt the pressure was on us, with it being the hometown crowd and all that, but there was clearly know reason to worry. Niall and I were really feeling it, because not only did we act in it, we wrote the play and Niall was also director, so it was our baby, but everything went off without a hitch and everyone felt a real sense of relief once the laughs began flowing, and they flowed long and hard. We had a cracking cast with vast experience on show who all played their parts excellently.”

Now that’s out of the way, the next step is on the road.

Ronan added, “We have the cast ready, the sets ready – there’s no point in not touring the show to be honest. Nothing is concrete as yet but we’re looking at all the usual suspects, The Balor, The Strule, and The Millennium Forum as prospective venues. I’d love to be able to take it to Scotland or Liverpool, with both places having a big Irish contingent I think it would definitely resonate with them. We plan to finish the tour back in the Alley in November.

“I’m in a good place right now, with the stand up and the show. If you’ll pardon the pun, we’re ready to march on to the tour.”