Local Drama Group back on stage with “It runs in the family”

She was launched in the Autumn twenty fifteen,

The good ship, “C.R.K. Drama” was now to be seen,

As she sailed through tranquil waters it must be said

With Brendan at the tiller and Tony at the head.

This poem, “Dramatic Sailing”, was written by Dermot Sullivan soon after the CRK Drama Group was formed in Carrig/Riverstown by Tony Dargan and Brendan Hanamy in September 2015.

Both Tony and Brendan have produced and directed five plays up to 2019 when the lockdown and Covid-19 meant the postponement of plans for '20 and '21.

Brendan's experience was invaluable to the group as he had directed many shows for drama groups in Offaly and farther afield.

CRK Drama are now back on stage on December 2nd, 3rd and 4th with a two act comedy from the pen of playwright Ray Cooney, “It Runs in the Family”. Many of their stalwarts are back with them – Leonard Deane, Michael Hayes, Lisa Deane, Ruth Scully, Declan Murray, Edel Pey, Ross Connaughton, Leanne Kelly and Joseph Hynes - but they have added new talent to the group, namely, Pádraig Freeman (Killeen), Maria Harding (Ballingarry), Caelum Larkin (Killeen).

Their back stage manager, Fleur Morris, is joined by Martina Rabbitte with two new faces front of house, Donna O'Brien (prompter) and Kian McDowall (Sound and Lighting).

Ray Cooney, OBE, who was born in 1932, is an English playwright, actor and director. His biggest success – Run for Your Wife – ran for nine years in London's West End. He has had 17 of his plays performed there.

He 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. In 2005, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his services to drama. Ray Cooney married Linda Dixon in 1962 and they have two sons, Danni and Michael.

Synopsis

It Runs in the Family is set in a hospital common room. It contains the usual assortment of farcical nuts running in and out of doors mistaking everybody for someone else as Dr Mortimer tries to fend of a paternity suit, an ex-wife, a son, the result of a liaison with a nurse many years ago, and various other lunatics, so that he may deliver the Ponsonby Lecture at an International Conference of Neurologists.

A production of any drama involves a lot of voluntary work by many of the skilled workers in the community. They are deeply indebted to the following for their many hours of work they put into the preparation for this production.

Thanks to their “resident” carpenters, Ray Hoare and Andrew Carney ably assisted by Eddie Doorley, Tadhg and Dermot Sullivan for set construction; Liam Moran and Rodney Harte of Solas (Fás) for decorating and painting; Carrig/Riverstown Hall Committee whose assistance and continued support they appreciate; Aidan Larkin of Birr Tool Hire for providing them with lighting for school grounds; Carrig NS for the use of the school facilities and grounds for parking; Steve Rabbitte for his expertise with background design; Kathy Slattery of Brennan Print (Nenagh) for printing of posters, tickets and programme; Margaret O'Brien and Kathleen Doorley for providing “nourishment” during and after the shows each night; Tony Doorley and Tom O'Brien who worked diligently preparing and erecting their posters; The Carrig Village Store allowing them to sell their tickets instore; last but not least, to Claire Deane and their committee whose responsibility is to ensure the show is well advertised, tickets are sold and many other tasks, too numerous to mention.

Proceeds of the raffle on Friday night December 2nd goes to Killeen NS and on Saturday night December 3rd to Carrig NS.

You can book your ticket by ringing the following numbers: (089) 2120646/(087) 2069342.

Now we wonder, of course, where the next port will be,

And what entertainment might we ultimately see,

May the good ship sail through conditions benign,

Bringing back productions, entralling, thrilling and sublime.