“The Colleen Bawn” in Sligo

For those people who remember with affection the old days of the theatre and for the younger people who would like to see for themselves what those days were like, there will be a very important engagement in the Gillooly Hall, Sligo, on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next. Those are the days fixed for the performance of “The Colleen Bawn”, the famous melodrama by Dion Boucicault. The play is being presented as a tribute to Margaret and Charlie Hughes, of the Sligo Unknown Players, who are retiring from the amateur stage after giving wonderful service over a period of many years.

Work on the production has been going on for a number of weeks and under the direction of Walter Mc Donagh, it is certain that the very best presentation of this play will be seen. Music, of course, will be a very important consideration for the production and Paddy Thornton with Breege Butler is in charge of this side of the show. Others taking part in the production will be Joan Fitzpatrick, Kay Guinane, Kitsy Dowling, Doreen Tracey, Mary Mc Govern, Vivian Francis, Michael Gunning, Brian Bohan, Sean O’ Neill, Eddie Mc Dermottroe, Paddy Foran and Michael Feeney. It is hoped that the people of Sligo and surrounding districts who owe so much to the Sligo Unknown Players in general and Margaret and Charlie Hughes in particular, will support the production and in doing so pay a lasting tribute to two of the people who have made the name of Sligo famous in the world of amateur drama.

Seats for the show, which are bookable at 3/6 in Brodericks, O’Connell St., Sligo, have been selling at a very fast rate and early booking is advisable. Other seats will be available at 2/6. Curtain up each night will be at 8.15. The people of Ballymote will also have an opportunity of seeing this fine production when the company travel to the Abbey Cinema for one performance on December 10th.

from The Sligo Champion, December 9th, 1961