Mullingar group in Finland drama project

This coming Wednesday, Mullingar Charity Variety Group (MCVG) in association with PIC Players Clara, launch a transnational drama project in Scoil Bhride Clara.

The project involves both drama groups travelling to Finland with two productions in November, 'Last Tango in Clara' and 'Darlings You Were Wonderful'.

There they will take part in a drama festival in the town of Ylivieska. They will also have the opportunity to take part in workshops, attend meetings and observe and assist in the preparations for the festival. The objective of the exercise is to see how the groups from different cultures with similar interests can learn from each other’s experience comparing problems and solutions.

The second part of the project will involve Finland's Hobby Theatre Group travelling to Ireland at next February where they will perform their production in Clara and Mullingar.

Bur first, on Wednesday Ocober 23, both groups will stage the two one-acts plays locally, in Scoil Bhride Clara, starting with Mullingar Charity Variety Group's production of 'Last Tango' in Clara by David Tristram.

It tells the story of a struggling drama group who are having trouble attracting audiences and can barely pay the rent. “There’s only one thing that sells tickets these days,” argues Gordon the chairman of the group, “Sex!”. Thus begins the chaotic and hilarious build-up to an evening of extraordinary home group drama.

Directed by Mary Hughes, and the stage managed by Charlie Donoghue, he cast includes Clara Molloy, Paula Mullen, Paul Curley and Anne Reynolds.

On the night, PIC Players Clara will also present 'Darlings You Were Wonderful' by Derek Lomas. An amateur drama group are set to perform a little known Spanish play in a festival. Amid multiple tensions and chaos backstage, Lesly, the missing member staggers in drunk and dressed in motorcycle gear. The adjudicator is impressed with the casts seething passion and pronounces Leslies motorcycle regalia a stroke of genius. The cast are Clare Flattery, Nora Kavanagh, Francis Doyle, Hazel Cullen, Sinead Handy, Hollie Cornally. Darlings You Were Wonderful is directed by Aidan Digan, sound and stage management Cathal Digan and costumes by Mags Naughton.

This project has been made possible with support from Offaly Local Development Company and Westmeath Community Development. Funded by Offaly and Westmeath Local Community Development Committees, the Department of Rural and Community Development, the EAFRD and the LEADER Programme 2014-2020.

* The first performance of the Clara and Mullingar plays are on Wednesday October 23 at Scoil Bhride Clara starting at 8.15. Bookings available at 0872108227.