Mullagh Entire Counting Down To 2019 Drama Opening Night

Mullagh Entire Drama Group are preparing to take to the stage for an 18th consecutive year when they perform ‘It’s the Real McCoy’ in Mullagh Hall.

2001 was the first time they ventured into the world of drama, and since then the group has gone from strength to strength.

Mary McNamara is the woman in charge this year as she takes up the producer mantle after several years of directing proceedings in the background with continuity and stage hand duties. She says everyone is counting down to the curtain going up on their 2019 offering.

“We are looking forward to getting out on stage now, rehearsals are going really well and everyone is putting their shoulder to the wheel to be ready for the opening night. What I have found myself with the drama is that when I got married first and my children were small, I got involved in whatever they were doing, whether that was football or things in the school, but then I thought to myself that I must do something that I enjoy doing for me. I have always loved drama since getting involved in the youth club years ago, and it was the late Tommy White who introduced us to drama at that time along with Mr Barney O’Higgins, whose daughter Mairead is actually involved with us now, and Jack Shine. When I got involved with the group here, everyone was so welcoming and this year now is a big challenge as the producer. I have great people around me and the backroom team are fantastic so we are very lucky” she noted.

Gregory Rynne is one of those who have been involved in Mullagh Entire since the outset. He says their annual production is always well supported by the local community.

“There’s good appetite for drama in our local area and we always get fantastic support which makes all the difference really. If people don’t come out and look at what you are doing, then there’s no real sense of achievement in it but we are lucky that they do. There seems to be a real appetite for comedy in particular and people always come out to support it. We don’t really go on the circuit with it because that’s a different ball game altogether and you need a much bigger team involved to pull that off. There’s less pressure on you when you are operating at home and I find it really enjoyable” he said.

There’s also a huge social element to the group, with people from outside the area coming along to join the ranks. Rita Downes is one of those, as she got involved in 2015. The Mayo native is now living just over the parish border in Kilmihil, and feels that she has made great friendships from her time involved.

She said: “I remember arriving one evening and didn’t even know where the hall was. I knocked timidly on the door, and since then everyone has been so welcoming and I thoroughly enjoy it. When you come to a new area, you don’t really know that many people and I have built great friendships from it. It puts you out of your comfort zone and you make so many connections through it so it’s great in that sense”.

There’s comedy both on and off stage with Mullagh Entire. 2019 will see Gregory star alongside his wife Patricia, who this year will play his prospective mother-in-law. Her character is not too enamoured with Gregory’s at times, and he feels it can often be something of a therapeutic release for his other half as she gets to vent at him on the stage

“She seems to be enjoying that, I think she builds it up a little bit at home during the day and then lets it out on stage. I’m a feeble character on the stage this year and she’s the dominant one” he laughed.

There is another element to this year’s play, as it will be first night the new and improved Mullagh Hall will be unveiled to the public. Major renovation works have been undertaken in recent weeks, with a revamped bathroom block and accessibility ramp put in place along with an improved heating system and insulation. Mary says it is something that everyone involved is very proud of.

“We have a beautiful hall here now and everyone will get to see the fantastic work that has been done. There was great fundraising undertaken in the local community and we are very lucky to have the support of the whole parish. We are looking forward to seeing everyone here for the opening night to see us performing” she said.

Mullagh Entire Drama Group will present ‘It’s the Real McCoy’ in Mullagh Hall on Friday March 1, Sunday March 3 and Saturday March 9 with doors open at 7pm and curtain up at 8pm.