Passionate performances in Offaly production of John B. Keane classic play

PRIDE, sadness, shame.

Just some of the emotions portrayed by the cast in a thought-provoking and passionate performance of Tullamore Amateur Dramatic Society's production of "The Year of the Hiker" currently running in the Esker Arts Centre in Tullamore.

The Tribune was privileged to attend the dress rehearsal performance of the production in the arts centre on Monday night last and was overwhelmed with the intensity of the actors' performance and the tragic plot of the John B. Keane classic.

Producer/ director Mary Sherwin deserves huge credit for her role in casting – she has expertly chosen actors to play the seven characters, all of whom do so in an effortless and sympathetic manner.

"The Year of the Hiker" is set in the south of the country – most likely Kerry – and the action takes place in the kitchen of a strong farmers family – the Laceys.

We meet the family – mother, aunt, two brothers and a sister – on the morning of the sister's wedding to a "good catch", Dr William Dolly.

Despite the happy circumstances it soon becomes obvious that a cloud hovers over the family in the shape of the missing father – the "Hiker" of the play's title – who abandoned his young family twenty years earlier.

When all the family have departed to the wedding bar the aunt, the "Hiker" makes a dramatic reappearance.

The remainder of the play revolves around the interactions between the "Hiker" and his estranged wife and children.

Family dynamics come into play as does rural snobbery of the "what will the neighbours think" variety.

The play offers a fascinating insight into farming and country life in the Ireland of the 1950s or 60s though in many respects little has changed in the intervening decades.

Peter Kilemade is superb in the central role of the Hiker Lacey. The experienced actor captures the emotions of pride, shame and sadness which his character experiences. Such is Peter's performance that the audience will no doubt feel much sympathy for his character at the end of the production despite an initial revulsion.

Passionate is the best description of Laura Molloy's performance as the "Hiker's" estranged wife, Kate Lacey. She expertly portrays the long-suffering rural country woman, a figure many of us are familiar with.

The role of Kate's sister, the frustrated spinster, Freda, is superbly captured by Frances Doyle. Again Frances fits seamlessly into the difficult role of a passive-aggressive figure who is probably the person the Lacey family's home life revolves around.

As always Damien Mitchell is without fault in the key role of the "Hiker's" eldest son, Joe. Damien captures the good-natured and selfless personality of a character whom we learn "became a sober old man at the age of seven" following the sudden departure of his father.

Ivan Hanamy is ideal in the role of Joe's younger brother, Simey – a self centred veterinary student whom. it is hinted, has a grá for the drink. "There's a lot of his father in that fellow," Freda observes.

The vivaciousness of the Lacey brothers' sister, Mary, whom we meet on the day of her wedding and on her return from an extended honeymoon in Spain, is captured by Sile Reynolds while her husband, Dr William Dolly is sympathetically portrayed by George Ross.

As we have become accustomed to from TADS' productions in the past the set is beautifully finished by the expert team of Mark Quinlan, Padraic Seery and Charlotte Molloy.

"The Year of the Hiker" opens in the Esker Arts Centre tonight – Tuesday – and has a limited run until this Saturday.

Tickets are selling fast so make sure to book yours without delay.

CAST

Freda: Frances Doyle

Simey Lacey: Ivan Hanamy

Joe Lacey: Damien Mitchell

Kate Lacey: Laura Molloy

Hiker Lacey: Peter Kilemade

Mary Lacey: Síle Reynolds

Dr. William Dolly: George Ross

CREW

Director/Producer: Mary Sherwin

Set Design: Mary Sherwin, Mark Quinlan

Set Build: Mark Quinlan, Padraic Seery, Dustin the Turkey by Charlotte Molloy

Stage Crew: Ursula Harte, Monica Daly, Jacinta Dillon, Charlotte Molloy, Ciara Kinnarney, Fionnuala Corrigan

Costumes: St. Vincent de Paul, Jack and Jill Foundation, actors' own

Lighting: Rocky Whelan

Sound Effects: Michael Dunne

Publicity, Design & Photography: Ciara Kinnarney

Front of House: Andrea Keely, Esker Arts volunteers

Refreshment Crew: Sandra Berry, Susan McDonnell