Drama Group stages welcome comeback with ‘Mother Knows Best’

THEY may be taking to the stage a little later than they hoped, but the cast and crew of the Cloughleigh Amateur Drama Group believe their latest production will be certainly worth waiting for.

The local drama group had planned on bringing the acclaimed Jimmy Keary comedy ‘Mother Knows Best’ to the stage of the Cloughleigh Community Centre back in 2021, however Covid meant those plans were put on hold.

Now they are back in action and rehearsing hard in preparation for four nights of shows at the hall in Davitt Terrace on Friday, January 27, Saturday, January 28, Friday, February 3 and Saturday, February 4.

Willie Crowley of the drama group told The Champion,“We had been hoping to do this play in 2021 but because of Covid we had to put it on hold.

“We had actually just done our second play, ‘Nobody’s Talking to Me’ two weeks before everything was shut down, we were very lucky in that.

“So we all can’t wait to be back on the stage with an audience for this play. ‘Mother Knows Best’ is a real comedy with a great ending, it’s very, very funny and we hope the audiences really enjoy it.”

Explaining the plot, he outlined, “While doing a painting job for the McDermotts, Nick Cassidy renews a friendship with their youngest daughter, Suzy.

“The two begin dating, much to the disapproval of Suzy’s mother, Tess, who is hoping to make a match for her daughter with stuffy financial consultant, Adrian Bird.

“Tess resolves to break up the young couple by whatever means she can. However, such is Tess’ pre-occupation with her daughter’s love-life, she fails to notice that her own husband, Harry is falling under the spell of her man-hungry golfing partner, Dulcie Cotter.

“Matters come to a head when Nick’s workmate, Joe Galligan breaks into McDermott’s, looking for money to pay off his gambling debts.

“During the theft, Tess’ plotting is exposed and Harry comes to a fateful decision.”

The play features ten actors on stage, including a few newcomers to the group. Playing the role of Nick Cassidy is Naoise McSweeney; Suzy McDermott is played by Andrea O’Regan; Tess McDermott by Geraldine Sherlock; Harry McDermott by Willie Crowley; Joe Galligan by Kieran Walsh; Dolly Cassidy by Monica Haugh; Sadie Jessup by Lilly Murray; Adrian Bird by Conor Clohessy; Dinah Dolan by Sinead Sherlock and Dulcie Cotter by Claire Guthrie.

Willie says the group are always open to welcoming new members, even those who don’t want to be on stage.

“It’s great to see new people come along and get involved and if people want to take part they are welcome to contact us.

“Even if you are at the play and you think you might want to be a part of this, then just give us your phone number afterwards. Not everybody wants to be on stage preferring to stay in the background, but we’re not just looking for people to play roles, you can also help out behind the scenes.”

He concluded by saying the group have been “thrilled” with the response from the public ahead of the shows.

“We have been putting up our posters and we’ve been posting on Facebook and there has been a great reaction.

“We’re really looking forward to getting on stage in front of a live audience for what should be a great few nights.”