'Arsenic and Old Lace' to be staged in Athboy this week

Athboy’s drama and pantomime group, O’Growney Players, takes to the stage of St James’ Hall on Thursday 27th November for three nights with their production of 'Arsenic and Old Lace'.

This classic Joseph Kesselring comedy was first produced in 1941 but is still a favourite with drama groups because of its charming and hilarious cast of characters.

Set in the home of the Brewster sisters, Abby and Martha, who, because they seem to live in another era of gentle virtues, kindness and generosity that seems far removed from the real world of war and violence, are universally loved. However, it doesn’t take the audience long to realise that all is not as it seems in their Brooklyn home which they share with their nephew Teddy, who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt, while their other nephew Mortimer, a reluctant dramatic critic for a New York paper, is a regular visitor.

The return of their never talked about third nephew, Jonathan, sets in train a series of farcical events that sees Mortimer racing against time as he tries to save his beloved aunts from themselves.

Taking on the roles of the Brewster sisters are Brenda Rice and Teresa Coleman. Both proved their comedic prowess in O’Growney Players’ very successful production of Plaza Suite last year however, Arsenic and Old Lace sees them sharing the stage for the first time.

They are joined by relative newcomer Paul Kelly, who, after playing the March Hare in last year’s pantomime Alice in Wonderland, takes on the role of their more than mildly eccentric nephew, Teddy Brewster.

Their other nephew, Mortimer, is played by Brendan Smith who, while recently more well-known for his recitations and parodies, makes a very welcome return to the world of drama. The third nephew, Jonathan, is played by Charlie Smyth, who needs no introduction to Athboy audiences.

The entire act of the play takes place in a single day in the Brewster home in Brooklyn and in that time the Brewsters are joined by a range of other cast members who play roles that include Mortimer’s long-suffering girlfriend Elaine, (Veronica Donohoe); her father, the Rev Harper (Fergal Fitzpatrick); Jonathan’s sidekick, Dr Einstein, (Cathal Donohoe); a would-be lodger Mr Gibbs (James Hesnan); Mr Witherspoon, the superintendent of Happy Dale sanitarium (Anthony Leavy) and members of New York’s finest (played by Declan McCann, Ciarán O’Toole, Gerry Donohoe and Cathyanne Reidy). With such a large cast the pace is necessarily fast – blink and you just might miss something!

O’Growney Players’ production of Joseph Kesselring’s Arsenic and Old Lace runs from Thursday 27th to Saturday 29th November in St James’ Hall, Athboy, at 8pm each evening.