Successful Debut of Sligo Drama Circle

The debut of a new actor or actress ….. the first ever presentation of a much publicised and eagerly awaited play …… the introduction of a unique plan for background layout …… these are some of the occasions which add spice and interest to the world of theatre. But how much more exciting and intriguing is the first appearance of an entirely new drama group, the members of which have been “limbering up” behind the scenes for several months in the knowledge that in their performances in just one play may depend the future success or failure of the unit.

How true that it was proved on Sunday, Monday Tuesday and Wednesday Nights last when enthusiastic audiences filled Sligo Town Hall to see the Sligo Drama Circle make its first bow in Gerard Healy’s “Thy Dear Father”. For a first performance the choice of play inevitably presents many difficulties. Pick a work too complex or opaque and the group courts possible disaster. On the other hand, select something too simple and you do not leave your audience with much to remember you by. I am glad, indeed, to be in a position to record that whoever chose “Thy Dear Father” for the Sligo Drama Circle did a good job. They succeeded in steering a middle course between the two aforementioned extremes and they set their actors and actresses a stiff test which all passed with colours flying. One would, of course be justified in calling “Thy Dear Father” a tragedy. Its story of a human failure whose every moment is haunted by hate and fear for a hypocritical father long since dead would be distinctly oppressive were it not laced with a ready dash of wit. Its subject matter is by no means easy to present on the stage and accordingly, the path to eventual success is strewn with a host of pitfalls for the unwary.

But who would dare label the Sligo Drama Circle unwary? The leading members of the cast had already made their names and nobody among them lacked experience, least of all the man around whose ability so much hinged – actor Patrick Dooney. While with the Unknown Players, Paddy Dooney turned in a series of really wonderful characterisations but I think it is true to say that never is he more effective than when his part borders on the macabre. In “Arsenic and Old Lace” he stole the show with his performance as a maniacal killer and in “Thy Dear Father” he added another string to his bow as Jack Dooley, the brooding business failure whose mind eventually slips into insanity. Mr Dooney’s part offered limitless room for misinterpretation since his dialogue for the most part was sparse and he was called upon to spend long periods away from his colleagues just gazing into space with the vacant frown of a man who is not merely worried, but bewildered.

Mr Dooney’s performance was gripping throughout and the third act was unmistakeably his. Even when the others were speaking and he was silent he held the stage and the attention of the audience. And in those last few suspense-wracked moments he brought us a study in impending insanity that was, at times, almost too real for comfort. To Josephine Lappin too, must go a large share of the credit. As Jack’s fiancée, she was trusted with the next most difficult role but she played Eileen Walsh with moving sincerity and an understanding that could only have been born of study and imagination. I have seen her act on more than one occasion in the past, but, quite frankly, I have never seen her better. Adelaide Hay invested the role of the nagging, over-religious Mrs. Dooley with a depth that made the part always wholly acceptable. She fussed, stormed and entreated as the script demanded but she was never guilty of over-dramatising.

As Father Michael Dooley, Eddie Mc Dermottroe was suitably upright and correct; Mulvihill made a sufficiently witty Anna; and Joe Mc Morrow, whose pleasure it was to deliver some of the most riotous lines in the play, again demonstrated his flair for character acting. In smaller roles, George Molloy, Sadie Maguire and Mary Mc Govern were all most impressive. The bouquets would not be complete without mention of the producer, Walter Mc Donagh, himself an actor of note, who has every reason to be delighted with the way in which his work was received. At the end of each performance, Joe Mc Morrow thanked audiences for their attendance on behalf of Very Rev T. Hanley, Adm., St. Mary’s. The play was staged in aid of the St. Anne’s Building Fund. A special performance of “Thy Dear Father” will be staged in the Town Hall on tonight (Friday) in aid of the Hungarian Relief Fund.

from The Sligo Champion, November 24th, 1956