Drama and bookworms in Ballinrobe

Ballinrobe’s Wilde River Drama Group will stage it’s debut play ‘Bookworm’ this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

DRAMA Pictured at The Wilde River Drama Group launch were, from left: Pat Donnellan (Robert), Gwen Costello-Joyce (Dorothy), Sighle Hughes (Director), Yvonne Higgins Murphy (Jennifer), Josephine Burke (Aisling), Pat King (Vincent), SiobhΡn Campbell (Ann).

Ciara Galvin

THE official launch of Ballinrobe’s new drama group the Wilde River Drama Group took place recently ahead of its first play.
The Wilde River Drama Group is a new and exciting amateur drama group recently formed in Ballinrobe and is the brainchild of local woman Sighle Hughes and brought to fruition by community involvement.
The group’s first play is set to take place this Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Ballinrobe Racecourse.
‘Bookworms’ is centred around an all female book club and their decision to allow men to join them for the first time, with their husbands invited in. Their daily lives spill over into the book discussions, where suspicions are roused and tempers are frayed.
Speaking to The Mayo News director Sighle Hughes said the idea to form the group had been in her head for the last year and it was only when plans to develop a new Town Hall were announced that she took action about making it a reality.
“I approached Mick Sweeney from the Town Hall committee and he was very supportive. A meeting was called and about six or seven people came and it grew from there,” said Ms Hughes.  
‘Bookworms’, written by Bernard Farrell, was chosen by the group for its comedy and Hughes said it’s a good play for an amateur drama group.
The play sees out of work builder Larry (Joe Greany) and banker Robert (Pat Donnellan) struggling in different ways. Anne (Siobhan Campbell) is showing off her home and trying to be the perfect hostess while Jennifer (Yvonne Higgins Murphy) isn’t used to her position as top dog being challenged. Poor Dorothy (Gwen Costello-Joyce) has had a tough time of it recently and wants to share her literary opinions with the group, but its becoming increasingly clear that books are the last thing on anybody’s mind during this explosive evening.
“Things go horribly wrong. There’s secrets, wine, arguments, but all’s well that ends well,” said the Director who went on to thank locals, friends and family for their support in the run up to this week’s debut play.
“John Flannelly of Ballinrobe Race Course has been outstanding in his support and a brilliant help to me, as too have the committee,” said Ms Hughes.
The play takes place at Ballinrobe Racecourse at 8pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday next and tickets priced at €10 can be purchased by contacting D Biggins Fashions on 094 9542444.