Comic antics in the convent in Rathcabbin Players' 'Drinking Habits'

A CONVENT where some unorthodox activity was going on was the scene for Rathcabbin Players' annual production this year and it provided plenty of laughs for full houses in a four night run last week.

This year marks Rathcabbin Players' 40^th anniversary and they certainly marked the celebration in style with a very funny play, Drinking Habits, written by Tom Smith.

It wasn't a play I had come across before but judging on this viewing, it is one that will probably feature more on the local drama circuit in the years ahead.

It was filled with laughs and funny situations as well as plenty of silliness and it all made for a hugely enjoyable night of entertainment.

A strong cast across the board ensured that Rathcabbin were on a winner to mark their special anniversary. They were sharp and on point from the very start and with the exception of the odd missed line, they gave a smooth and slick performance and made the most of the comedic element in the story.

The play is set in a convent and the usual quota of mistaken identities, comings and goings, false accusations and romances feature highly in this farce. Two nuns at the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing have been secretly making wine to the keep the convent's doors open and Mother Superior, who is very anti-alcohol, is unaware of their antics. Two reporters, Paul and Sally, who also happen to be former fiancees after Sally left Paul at the altar to follow a big story, are following a tip off about their secret and go undercover as a nun and a priest. The nuns fear that Rome is about to close their convent and suspect a spy has been sent to check out the convent. That sparks suspicion and paranoia with different characters being wrongly suspecting of being the spy. All is eventually revealed but not after some very surprising twists in the tale.

The tone was set as soon as you arrived into Rathcabbin Hall with staff in the booking office dressed in nun's or clerical garb, as were other helpers like the stage crew, continuity and ticket sellers. The MC was similarly attired as a nun and gave a wonderful witty welcome and outlined the usual health and safety guidelines in the guise of a Reverend Mother and it was a lovely touch.

This year Paul Spencer was in the role of director in Rathcabbin for the first time. Paul is well known on the local circuit having worked with a number of other drama groups in the area and his experienced hand was visible in this production. The characters were well defined, the pace moved swiftly and the interaction between the characters was very good. The scene before the interval when characters stomped in and out of doors in silence was very well put together.

The Sisters of Perpetual Sewing are small in number but are determined to keep their convent open. Marguerite Walsh played the role of Mother Superior and did so with great poise and authority. She is vehemently opposed to alcohol and won't even say the word, instead referring to it as “Satan's bath water” or some such term! Marguerite had a commanding presence and played the role perfectly.

The two nuns who are making the wine were Sr Philamena and Sr Augusta, played by Fiona Maher O'Brien and Barbara Tierney respectively. They combined very well together with Barbara playing the more feisty character and Fiona a more timid and nervous nun. They got the characteristics for each nun perfectly through facial expressions and good acting and had good stage presence.

Pat Kennedy returned to the stage this year having directed 'Don't Tell The Wife' last year. He played the role of the convent gardener George, who gets dragged into all the goings on in the convent. Pat is one of Rathcabbin's more experienced performers and his acting ability was to the fore once again as he gave another strong performance of the character.

The two reporters Sally and Paul were played by Maria Maher and Andrew Dagg respectively. They were another good duo who worked very well together. Sally is the more hard nosed reporter wanting to get the story at all costs while Paul shows a bit more empathy. Both did very well in the roles. Maria played the role with assurance and confidence and portrayed the strong character that Sally was. Andrew depicted Paul excellently through his actions and expressions. At various times he was a reporter, a priest, a nun and a Cardinal and played each wonderfully and he must certainly have been feeling the heat as he peeled off the costumes for each of those characters one by one near the end!

Sr Mary Catherine arrives at the convent to bolster their numbers but is quickly suspected of being a spy. Sr Mary does have a secret but it's not that. Catty Burke played the character with vitality and conviction and she gave a very effective portrayal of the young nun.

Another long standing stalwart of Rathcabbin Players Hubert Hogan played the role of Fr Chenille, the local priest. He too begins to feel his role is under threat when a new 'priest' appears on the scene and he is anxious to find out more. Hubert captured the essence of the character and played the role convincingly in another strong performance.

After 40 years Rathcabbin Players have built up a strong reputation for the quality of their performances and this production certainly lived up to that reputation and can be marked down as another winner for the group.

Cast

Sr Philamena – Fiona Maher O'Brien; St Augusta – Barbara Tierney; Sr Mary Catherine – Catty Burke; George - Pat Kennedy; Mother Superior – Marguerite Walsh; Paul – Andrew Dagg; Sally – Maria Maher; Fr Chenille – Hubert Hogan.

Production Team

Director & Set Design – Paul Spencer; Set Construction – Tadhg Nevin, Barry Noyce, Trevor Hogan, Ray Kennedy, Mark Kennedy, Darina Kelly, Mary Dermody; Stage Manager – Darina Kelly; Sound Equipment – Ray Kennedy; Lights/Sound – Peter Seman; Continuity – Fiona Kennedy; Make-Up – Darina Kelly.