Claremorris Town Hall Theatre to host adaption of ‘Now and Then’

HARVEST Moon Theatre Group bring their multi-award winning comedy play, ‘Now and Then’ to Claremorris Town Hall Theatre tonight, Good Friday, March 29.  The production has played to standing ovations all over the country.

In the play, a young barman, Jamie, is closing up one night in 1981, and waiting for his girlfriend Abby, when an older man comes in for a quick one. The man tells them that he just wants to stay a while, have a drink and that he will then leave quietly. Soon the man makes Jamie and Abby a ridiculous offer – one that is very tempting. And he tells them a story, which seems unbelievable. When another stranger arrives, the unbelievable suddenly seems like it might just be true. Will they accept the offer, and if they do, what will the consequences be? What happens that night, may, or may not, change the course of Jamie’s life.

This is a cracking story about love, following your dreams (or not) and the costs of the decisions we make. The play is suitable for all ages.

Sean Grennan’s play, ‘Now and Then’ was originally set in an Irish bar in Chicago in 1981. Harvest Moon’s presentation is an Irish adaption of the play, by John Corless.

“I liked the play as soon as I read the script,” John Corless told The Mayo News. “The only reservation I had was that it was set in an Irish bar the US, and I felt that setting the play in Ireland would be more compelling. I contacted the playwright, Sean Grennan, whose ancestors are from Co Offaly, and I enquired about relocating it to Ireland.  He asked what I was proposing; I told him and he asked me to send a draft. He responded very positively to my setting the play in Mayo.”

Drama adjudicators and audiences have responded very positively to the Irish adaptation. Harvest Moon’s production has won many festivals and awards, including for direction, acting and set design.

Cast

HARVEST Moon Theatre Group is based in Claremorris, Co Mayo, with members drawn from all over Connaught.  The cast of ‘Now and Then’ is made up of Rosemary Dixon, Vera Kilgallon, Kevin Woods and John Morley.

Rosemary Dixon was part of the Garrymore Drama Group for many years and is no stranger to Claremorris audiences. Vera Kilgallon, from Mayo Abbey, is an All-Ireland winning actress. Kevin Woods is a native of Roscommon and John Morley is originally from Bekan, and is now living in Oranmore. Both have many acting awards to their credit for stage and screen.

The play is directed by John Corless, who won an All-Ireland award at last year’s finals in Glenamaddy, for stage management.

Harvest Moon likes to introduce new plays, or re-imagine well-known plays, for audiences around the country. Their 2023 production, ‘God of Carnage,’ had a very successful summer residency in Westport. The group is delighted to be returning to Claremorris Town Hall Theatre, this Good Friday night, with this new play.

Tickets for the Claremorris show are available from the Town Hall Theatre box office, or online at townhall.ie. Tickets can also be purchased over the phone on 094 9310999. The play commences at 8pm and doors will open at 7pm. The theatre will operate a full bar on the night.