Drama group in Offaly set for three night run of hilarious play this week

COOLDERRY Drama Group are back on stage in early February with their hilarious production of Ray Cooney's popular farce 'Run For Your Wife'.

The group will be performing for three nights in Coolderry Hall on Thursday February 6th, Friday February 7th and Saturday February 8th at 8pm nightly.

'Run For Your Wife' is a superb example of the British farce and has had audiences rolling in the aisles all over the country as well as internationally! It tells the story of taxi driver who gets away with having two wives in different areas of London because of his irregular working schedule. But an unexpected event leads to complication being piled upon complication for the cabby as tries to keep his double life from exploding!

Playwright Ray Cooney has written a number of very successful farces of this genre. 'Run For Your Wife' is his biggest success and it ran for nine years in London's West End. He has had 17 of his plays performed there.

Ray began acting in 1946 and appeared in many of the Whitehall farces of Brian Rix throughout the 50's and 60's. In 1975, he was the subject of “This is Your Life”, when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at London's Savoy Hotel. In 1983, he created the Theatre of Comedy Company and became its artistic director.

Coolderry Drama Group have been in rehearsals for this production since October and the cast are looking forward to bringing this production to the stage. This year also marks the 21st Anniversary of Coolderry Drama Group and all involved are immensely proud of this achievement.

This year they are delighted to welcome Jared Madden as director, making his Coolderry debut. You will see some familiar faces take to the stage again with some returning to the stage after a short hiatus.

Director Jared Madden is delighted to make his directorial debut with the Coolderry Drama Group! Drawing on his extensive directing experience in Rathcabbin and his hometown of Banagher, as well as his work with adults and children across the midlands, Jared brings an incredible depth of passion and expertise to the stage.

A devoted drama teacher across Offaly, Tipperary, and Laois, he has inspired countless students to discover and embrace the magic of performance. His creative journey also boasts memorable roles in productions with the Athlone, Clara Musical, and Banagher drama groups. Here’s to an unforgettable production - break a leg, everyone!

As with all productions, the show would not go on without the great help behind the scenes and as always Coolderry are lucky to have a great crew behind them. They welcome you to Coolderry Hall on February 6th, 7th and 8th to witness the hilarious antics of John Smith as he tries to juggle his double life!

The cast of Run For Your Wife is as follows:

John Smith - Jason O’Connor

Barbara Smith - Jamie McCormack

Mary Smith - Susanne Cleary

Stanley Gardner - Gilbert Bryan

Detective Sergeant Porterhouse - Tom Kelly

Bobby Frankliin - Micheal Carey

Newspaper Reporter - Luke Ryan

Detective Sergeant Troughton - Sandra Maloney