Same Old Moon, Brideview Drama’s new show, starts this Friday night,
February 10, at Tallow Community Centre, with doors opening at 7.30pm.

Starring Rachel O’Connell and John Baldwin, and directed by Jack
Aherne, the play is written by Geraldine Aron and is all about the
growing up and getting of wisdom of Brenda Barnes – from sweet
beginnings in Galway through to fame and fortune in London, Africa and
beyond.

Featuring a cast of 10 performing many different character roles over
19 scenes, Same Old Moon is a well-loved play that has been popular
around Ireland and the world for many years.

With lighting by Padraig Pollard and sound by Emily Aherne, and set
design by Pat Aherne and Vanessa Hyde, the group has lavished much
attention on making sure the production goes off with a bang.

The play is bittersweet, funny and moving, and has some hilarious
moments, such as the advice for young women moment, provided by a very
stern Mother Superior; anything the two fussbudgets, Brenda’s Mother
and her Aunty Peace have to say; Granny’s scene when she gets ready
for bed; and the arrival of the famous Italian opera singer Enrico
Caruso in the local teashop.

Brideview Drama is pleased to welcome back regulars Helen Aherne,
Damien Pollard, Connor Goulding and Tomás Roche to the stage, and it’s
great to see three new faces under the greasepaint: Edel Murphy of
Lismore, Norma Howard of Castlelyons and Denise O’Brien of Dungarvan.
Everyone’s enjoying the rehearsals very much and is looking forward to
offering a great night’s entertainment.

Tickets are available on the door, or call 0879582314 for bookings.
The show runs Friday and Saturday nights, February 10 and 11, then
again Friday and Saturday, February 24 and 25, with the play beginning
at 8.15pm promptly. As always, there will be free refreshments, and
many thanks must go to our sponsors such as Margaret Organ of
Waterford County Council Arts Office, and everyone who provides great
support and raffle prizes, including Keniry’s Bar and Centra,
Brideview Bar Tallowbridge, Forde’s Spar, Tallow Area Credit Union and
Daybreak Tallow.

If you would like to see pictures of the rehearsals or other Brideview
shows, find our community page on Facebook.

Starting soon for 2 weekends in February, Brideview Drama’s latest show is a lovely heart-warmner, suitable for all the family. Full of laughter, drama, tears and fun, Same Old Moon by Geraldine Aron is directed by Jack Aherne and stars Rachel O’Connell, John Baldwin and 6 others playing a total of 20 parts over 19 scenes.

Set in Galway and London, it’s the tale of young Brenda Barnes and the life of an Irish family between the 1940s-1980s, who are forced to emigrate to London to survive. Built around a sequence of recollections from the life of Brenda, an aspiring writer, the show follows her from age nine to her mid-forties, taking us from her early days in Galway through to her return to her adopted home in London.
Her life story, as seen through her eyes, portrays her eccentric and sometimes fiery Irish family. With many very funny vignettes, the main characters include her wilful and self-destructive father, Desmond, her put-upon, sometimes hot-tempered mother, Bridie, her whinging aunt, Peace, and her puritanical maternal Granny Cleary from Galway.

Brideview Drama is pleased to welcome newcomers Denise O’Brien and Edel Murphy to the stage, alongside regulars Vanessa Hyde, Helen Aherne, Tomás Roche and Damian Pollard.

Same Old Moon is on at Tallow Community Centre on Friday and Saturday nights, February 10 and 11, then again the same nights, February 24 and 25, with doors opening at 7.30 for a start at 8.15pm. As always, there are free refreshments and Same Old Moon is suitable for all the family.

A great big well done to all involved in Brideview Drama’s just finished show, Nil By Mouth. Directed very ably by John Roche, all taking part on and off stage had lots of fun.

With excellent sponsorship and support (money, props, help and so on) from Margaret Organ (Waterford County Arts Officer), Ted, Tim & Martha Keniry (Centra & Bar, Tallow), Forde’s Spar (Tallow), Brideview Bar (Tallowbridge), St Patrick’s Community Hospital (Fermoy), Goalpost Engineering (Tallow), Ogham Players (Ballynoe) and Daybreak Shop (Tallow), the show went very well and the large audiences appreciated all the laughter and silliness.

A buladh bos to the cast: Sarah Curley, Pat Smith, Donal Howard, Helen Aherne,  Gary Gill, Veronica Henley, Brian Livingston, Martin Sheehan, Liam Roche, Fiona Keane, Louise O’Connor and Anne Tobin.

Behind the scenes, amazingly hard graft was put in by Shane Roche (lighting), Matthew Kavanagh (Sound), John Roche, Liam Roche and Gary Gill (Set build), Judy Burton (Stage Management and road-signage) and Jack Aherne. Front of house had its usual compliment of friendly faces, so thanks to Paddy & Margaret Geary, Carmel McDonnell, Kitty McDonnell, Vanessa Hyde, Molly Tobin, Leanne Sheehan and Emily Aherne.

Also, the club would like to wish Aisling Murphy of Blackwater Community School much luck with her sponsorship drive for her Easter 2012 trip to Kolkata (Calcutta) with the Hope Foundation.

So, a big Merry Christmas and holy and happy New Year to all who took part or came along to watch our productions. See you all next year – especially with our festival play in February, Same Old Moon by Gerlandine Aron, and directed by Jack Aherne.

If you, or any of your friends would like to be on stage, or involved behind the scenes in 2012, please get in touch, as all ages, talents and skills are wanted! Call John on 086 170 8889, Jack on 087 958 2314, or email brideviewdrama@gmail. Lastly, to see what we do, please visit the Brideview Drama Community Page on Facebook.

And a big happy xmas and new year to all the media who helped us out during 2011 – appreciated!

Photos:

1. Aisling Murphy of Blackwater Community School at Brideview Drama’s Nil By Mouth
2. Louise O’Connor and John Roche celebrating after Brideview Drama’s Nil By Mouth
3. Sarah Curley and Vanessa Hyde sharing a laugh after Brideview Drama’s Nil By Mouth

This week, Thursday 8 December at Tallow Community Centre, Brideview Drama pushes on to stage their great hospital comedy for Christmas, ‘Nil by Mouth’, directed by John Roche (great to see him back in the director’s chair!).

Written by John Chapman, the play is a fun 4 nights’ entertainment. All about a bunch of useless patients trying desperately to survive what must be the worst run medical facility in Ireland, Nil by Mouth is a family-friendly evening of mistakes, farce, pratfalls and confusion.

As so often with Brideview Drama, there are many new faces on stage, and the show welcomes Louise O’Connor of Tallow (channelling her inner Ian Paisley as a grumpy Northern matron), Fiona Keane of Fermoy (as a fresh-faced and very fetching American nurse), Liam Roche of Kilwatermoy (bumbling about in the throes of a drug-induced confusion), and Gary Gill (as a totally zonked out patient).

Anne Tobin, Paddy Smith, Martin Sheehan, Donal Howard, Brian Livingston, Helen Aherne, Veronica Henley and Sarah Curley return to the company, driving the show forward through all the mayhem. Anne is a scary government inspector, Helen is the clueless main patient, Paddy is the tall handsome doctor, Donal plays a concussed patient sure he’s about to do a Roy Keane for Brideview United, Sarah is easily the nation’s best looking nurse, Martin rushes manically about as Joe the Porter, Brian keeps tripping over him as another Porter, while Veronica beautifully bosses everyone about as Matron Dowling.

Also new to Brideview Drama, up in the lighting box we welcome Shane Roche of Kilwatermoy, who’ll be spinning the sound while pushing the buttons, alongside the ever-capable Matthew Kavanagh. There are lots of really interesting props on stage, so the club would especially like to thank St Patrick’s Community Hospital of Fermoy and Goalpost Ireland Engineering of Tallow.

Suitable for all ages, Nil By Mouth starts at 8.15PM each night, with doors opening at 7.30pm. Tallow Community Centre is a very comfortable theatre, so all are welcome on Thursday and Friday, December 8 and 9; then Thursday and Saturday nights, 15 and 17 December.

As ever with Brideview Drama, the refreshments are free and include wine, nibbles and soft-drinks. There’s lots of seating, so come along and enjoy the show.

 

A HUGE well done to the cast and crew of Brideview Drama’s very successful musical, ‘Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves’, which finished last Saturday at Tallow Community Centre. Over the four nights, the hall was very full, and audiences really appreciated the fine singing, dancing, laughs and action.

With many a new face in the cast, congratulations must go to all who starred: Jennifer Daly, Dick O’Mahony, Jade Maguire, Gearóid Byrne, Paul Martin, Margaret Cullinane, Emma Cullen, Michelle Hanna, Emma Murphy, Celia Cullinane, Lorna Cullen, Jack Aherne (who also directed), Amy Feeney, Martina Cullinane, Emily Aherne (who devised and co-wrote the show with Jack), Aisling Murphy, Michael O’Hanrahan and Tomás Roche.

Below in the orchestra pit, the musicians played a blinder: thanks to Mairead Cullinane on Piano (musical director), Anne Trimble (who choreographed everything), Andrew Malcolm (Lead Guitar), John Quill (Bass Guitar) and Alan Crotty (Drums).

The set was built and decorated by Pat Aherne, with lights by Matthew Kavanagh, sound by Dirk Baumann, stage management by Muriel Cullen & Helen Aherne, and costumes & makeup by Melissa Murphy and the cast.

Front of house, raffle and refreshments were, as always, a great credit to the help of many people around town (especially the younger folk who came to support their friends on stage): gratitudes to Carmel McDonnell, Kitty McDonnell, Paddy & Margaret Geary, Sinead Roche, Laura Bumster, Alisha O’Brien, Leanne Pratt, Rhona Geary, Aiobhe O’Brien, Vanessa Hyde and John Roche (Emcee’s), Frances and Sean Tobin, Judy Burton (for the excellent road-signage) and Liam Roche.

No show goes on without the freely given support of sponsors, so appreciations to Margaret Organ, Waterford County Council Arts Officer for main funding, and everyone who gave great raffle prizes (often more than one): Kearney’s Restaurant, McGrath’s Pharmacy, Daybreak Supermarket, The Latch Restaurant, Cunningham’s Hardware, Mandarin Oriental Takeaway, Kay Murphy Florist, Forde’s Spar Supermarket, Shanghai House Takeaway, Keniry’s Bar and Centra Supermarket, Marian Forbes of Tallowvision and Irene’s Hair Salon, Brideview Bar Tallowbridge and Judy Burton Antiques. Thanks also to Christine Corcoran and Paddy and Margaret Geary for individual prizes.

Also, not to be forgotten is the sterling work of the Community Centre hall committee, as the new renovations have been universally hailed as a great success, for comfort, warmth! and atmosphere.

There’ll be more musicals in the future. Brideview Drama is always doing some sort of show, so if you know any spare teens just dying to tread the boards and have a great time rehearsing and performing (or if you want to get involved), please call 087 958 2314, email brideviewdrama@gmail.com or message our page on Facebook.

The Club’s next show is a Christmas comedy in early December called ‘Nil By Mouth’, a very funny piece about getting in and out of hospital as quick as you can! Written by John Chapman and directed by John Roche, it will be a laugh from start to finish (Tallow Community Centre; December 8, 9, 15 and 17).

Lastly, best of luck to George Peet of the Club who is currently touring his 1-Act play, The Poppy & The Shamrock, around the country’s 1-Act Drama Competitions. If you’d like to see it (a history play set during the War of Independence), come along to Aghern Church (near Conna) on Saturday November 25, 8pm start. Also, members Irene Kelleher and Jan O’Sullivan are starring in a play called ‘Fishtail’ at the Cork Arts Theatre, Wednesday and Friday, November 16 and 18. The play is part of the Cork New Writer’s Week (much of which was, coincidentally, adjudicated by another club member, Vanessa Hyde).

Hi all – a big well done to the cast and crew of The Clearing, directed by Jack Ahern, who’s currently touring the play around the Festival Circuit.

Jan O’Sullivan has picked up a raft of Best Actress Awards, with Emily Ahern winning a Best Sound award and Martina Cullinane getting a Special Adjudicator’s Award for Lighting, leading her to win a week away in Limerick this year at the Drama League of Ireland Summer School – always great fun.

Also, a big congrats to Emily and Martina (and their friend Lorna Cullen) who won a national song-writing award last weekend on Radio Ri Ra for their Irish language tune Briongloid Alainn. It’s going to be released later on a CD, so thanks to everyone who helped vote them into first place via the the Ri Ra website.

All the actors in The Clearing have got fine mentions at many festivals and what really has been good, has been the universally excellent reception the play has got from audiences. Every house has been near full and the play has been regularly applauded from scene to scene. This Thursday night is the last of our shows, at Holycross, Co Tipperary, so a big well done to Jack, who has done his usual amazingly energetic and detailed preparation and delivery. The Clearing is a play with a complex form and setting and Jack’s direction has been excellent.

Also, here’s a useful website with lots of reviews from all sorts of media around the world, for those on the lookout for a good play to produce: http://www.complete-review.com/maindex/maindex.html. If you search by play authors or titles, it lists all the major newspapers and media outlets that have covered productions in the UK, US and elsewhere.

If anyone’s a short-story writer, remember that entries for the Co Waterford Molly Keane Short Story competition close on March 31. See www.waterfordcoco.ie for details (under the Arts page).

Finally, Kevin McCormack of Fermoy (and Ballyduff Drama) would like to invite everyone to his latest production: “Hi, I hope this email finds you well.  I would appreciate your help in letting the world and his uncle know about the upcoming musical comedy The ‘ALL STAR’ Wars! The show runs at Cork Opera House from April 19th to 23rd 2011.  The ALL STAR Wars is written by Bryan Flynn and myself and we would really love to have full houses for the five nights as we premiere what we promise will be a superb night’s entertainment. Warm Regards, Kevin”

The Clearing, Brideview Drama’s new play is on again this week and next, Thursday February 10, then Thursday and Friday, February 17 and 18, 8.15PM each night at Tallow Community Centre. After its great opening weekend, where this big historical drama was very well received, the show is now settling in very nicely and gives everyone the chance to see a love story set in one the most important periods of Irish history.

Jan O’Sullivan, John Baldwin and George Peet lead a big cast. The Clearing is set in seventeenth century Ireland, as Cromwell’s men systematically transport women and children, and force royalists off their lands. Robert Preston, a Cromwellian sympathiser disinherited in England but possessed of lands in Ireland, is married to Madeleine, an Irish woman. When Madeleine’s childhood friend, Killaine, is taken by English soldiers she pleads to the English governer, Sir Charles Sturman, for her release. Sturman’s cold response is to order Madeleine and Robert to be transplanted to barren Connaught, in the west of Ireland. The cast also includes, in very fine form, Colm and Sean Ahern, Donal Howard and Alison Lewis, Caitriona Howard and James Lenane.

Throughout the show (suitable for all ages) Jack Aherne, the director, explores the themes of conflict and how cultures differ from each other, even as they try to share the same land. The prosperous landowners of the play quickly become refugees when the English take over, and suddenly find themselves with their lives at risk. It is the inherent differences in the culture and upbringing of Robert and Madeleine that strain everyone’s relationship. Also, we see how fear drives people into choices and actions that appear to offer a short-term solution but, in the long run, have terrible and permanent consequences for all.

The Clearing is a rollercoaster of action and emotion and the cast and crew are very much enjoying the ride. The show sees a great addition to the crew in Martina Cullinane, who has taken on sound very professionally. She is also an accomplished photographer and it’s great she’s able to juggle school and theatre so well.

This is Brideview Drama’s ‘Festival play’ for 2011 and is being taken on tour to 7 competitions around Ireland next month. Romance, passion and treachery enhance this riveting work right up to its breathless final curtain as Englishman Robert Preston and his Irish wife, Madeleine, have a tempestuous relationship that leads to questions of patriotism and family loyalty.

With humour, love, drama, fighting, all sorts of action, a wonderful set with beautiful lighting, costumes absolutely right for the era, tight direction and a exciting story, The Clearing is a great night out.

This weekend sees the premiere and first ever Irish performance of The Clearing, a huge love story set in 1652, in the middle of Cromwell’s invasion and clearances of Ireland. Written by Helen Edmundson and directed by Jack Aherne, Brideview Drama is very pleased to present this very active and exciting drama.

Starring John Baldwin and Jan O’Sullivan in the key roles of young lovers, they are very ably assisted by Caitriona Howard, Rachel O’Connell, Alison Lewis, Donal Howard, Sean Ahern, George Peet, Colm Ahern and James Lenane.

The Clearing starts three years after the execution of King Charles I, following a long and bloody civil war. The Parliamentarian who was in the forefront of the anti-king struggle, Oliver Cromwell, is Lord-General and Commander in Chief of the Commonwealth and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. The play’s three year span parallels a reign that embraced a policy of execution, forced relocation, and English colonialisation in Ireland.

With its pro-Irish point of view, and special strength of the three female characters, The Clearing gives audiences a character-rich story that engages hearts and minds of all ages.

At Tallow Community Centre this Friday and Saturday nights, 28 and 29 January, at 8.15PM, the play is stage managed by Judy Burton, with a beautiful, emotionally satisfying set designed by Mary Colette Sheehan.

The Clearing is all about Robert and Madeleine, who have dared to step beyond the boundaries of their daily lives in Ireland. Robert is swept off his feet by a gorgeous Irish woman, and his youthful sense of adventure allows him to go with it. Madeleine is much more connected to an ideology of life – she has seen the damage done to her family and to the Irish people by the perpetuation of mistrust and hatred, and she is determined that the cycle can be broken. The play explores personal and social struggles, as the characters do their best amidst battles over land, conflicts between religions, the things people caught in the middle do to survive, and how love needs always to conquer, no matter the cost.

Noted British director Polly Teale said, when her theatre company first performed the play to full houses and critical acclaim, that “The Clearing is an extraordinary achievement. It captures both a great sweep of history and the intricacies of a marriage between an Irish woman and an English man. We are made to feel the effect of history through the lives of the characters. Edmundson explores with great subtlety the way in which racial hatred springs from fear. We see how a fear of ‘the other’  lies at the heart of the play: the desire to crush or destroy what we cannot understand (and perhaps secretly yearn for). Madeleine represents everything the English could never allow themselves to be. She is passionate, sexual and unafraid of life. Robert is hugely drawn to Madeleine because she is so different to everything he knows.”

This is a big play with huge themes and a great find for Brideview Drama. All are welcome and the play is suitable for all the family. As always, Tallow Community Centre will be fantastically well heated, with lots of great refreshments on offer. Tickets are available on the door and all are welcome.

Vanessa Hyde of BRIDEVIEW DRAMA, IS ON THIS WEEK in Lady Windermere’s Fan at The Everyman Palace Theatre, Cork

Vanessa Hyde’s BIG PROFESSIONAL STAGE DEBUT IN CORK – she’s playing the lead role in Oscar Wilde’s play, Lady Windermere’s Fan, directed by Michael Twomey, at the Everyman Palace Theatre, Cork, from Wednesday 19 – Saturday 29 January (excl. Sun 23) @ 8pm. Tickets range from €7 to €25. This is a great international comedy, performed all over the world year after year and a guaranteed excellent night out.

Vanessa was specially invited by Michael to take the lead role as Mrs Erlynne, which is a great compliment to her (and to Brideview Drama – after all, where would she be without our years of support and endlessly casting her in our shows, eh? ha ha ha).

Outline of the play:

Lady Windermere’s Fan, A Play About a Good Woman is a four act comedy by Oscar Wilde, first produced 22 February 1892 at the St James Theatre in London. The play was first published in 1893. Like many of Wilde’s comedies, it is a biting satire on the morals of Victorian society, particularly marriage.

The story concerns Lady Windermere who discovers that her husband may be having an affair with another woman. She confronts her husband but he instead invites the other woman, Mrs Erlynne, to her birthday ball. Angered by her husband’s unfaithfulness, Lady Windermere leaves her husband for another lover. After discovering what has transpired, Mrs Erlynne follows Lady Windermere and attempts to persuade her to return to her husband and in the course of this, Mrs Erlynne is discovered in a compromising position. She sacrifices herself and her reputation in order to save Lady Windermere’s marriage. The fan in the title can refer to both the physical object—which Lord Windermere buys for her as a 21st birthday present—and to her admirer, Lord Darlington—who pays her deeply flattering compliments and eventually reveals his love for her.
On the night of the premiere, Wilde presented himself on stage, to answer the calls of “Author!” Amusingly, critics were more offended by the cigarette in his hand than his egotistic speech: “Ladies and Gentlemen. I have enjoyed this evening immensely. The actors have given us a charming rendition of a delightful play, and your appreciation has been most intelligent. I congratulate you on the great success of your performance, which persuades me that you think almost as highly of the play as I do myself.”

Tickets are available on the door, or visit the Everyman website to book: http://www.everymanpalace.com/pages/whats-on.php Tel: 021 450 1673. Email: info@everymanpalace.com.

Happy New Year to all from Brideview Drama and welcome to our big play for the start of 2011! Directed by Jack Aherne, The Clearing by Helen Edmundson is a hugely entertaining historical epic suitable for all ages, with much to offer.

This is a true Irish premiere, as it’s the first time the play (written in England) has been performed anywhere in Ireland. Charting the story of two star-crossed lovers, it is set in 1652 during the Cromwell Era, when the British were raging across the land, clearing it of the Irish citizenry so their own could settle (in fact, over a third of the population were killed or forced to leave Ireland). Full of war, love, action, drama and adventure, The Clearing offers audiences much in the way of excitement.

The play needs a big cast, and the director Jack has drawn on the best talent from West Waterford and North Cork. Many are performing with Brideview Drama for the first time, while are others are back for yet another run. Welcome to Jan O’Sullivan of Lismore and Alison Lewis of Mitchelstown; while it’s hello again to George Peet (Aghern, Conna), Donal Howard (Fermoy), John Baldwin (Knockanore), Colm & Sean Aherne (Dungourney), James Lenane (Lismore) and Rachel O’Connell (Cork).

Set design is by Mary Sheehan who did such a great job with Pied a Terre last year and, as always, Judy Burton has done wonders with props and stage management. Sound and lighting is by Matthew Kavanagh and Emily Aherne, with set construction by Jack Aherne, Tomás Roche and Peter Sealey. Also, this production sees a huge amount of costume creation by Vanessa Hyde, with many pieces specially sewn and made by Catherine Feeney of Tallow.

First produced in the 1990’s, The Clearing has garnered much international acclaim, including: (New York) “A fine script exceptionally well realized on every count”; “A strong, straightforward production, built around thrilling performances” (Glasgow); and “A story convincingly and sympathetically realised and universally accomplished” (London).

The Clearing is on the end of the month at Tallow Community Centre (Friday and Saturday nights, 8.15PM, January 28 and 29). Tickets will be available on the door and, as we always do, Brideview Drama will have lots of free refreshments, including wine, soft drinks and nibbles.

Finally, a huge congratulations to Vanessa Hyde from all in Brideview Drama, who is starring in the professional production of Lady Windermere’s Fan by Oscar Wilde, on from this Wednesday for 10 nights, at the Everyman Palace Theatre in Cork (directed by well known actor and theatre director, Michael Twomey). This is a great opportunity for Vanessa as she was specially invited by Michael to take on the role. We all wish her well in the key role with all the funny lines – Mrs Erlynne.