Sligo Drama Circle Presents Antigone

On Sunday next Sligo Drama Circle launches its Jubilee year with a gala opening performance of “Antigone”, a brilliant modern play by French author Jean Anouil. This play has been performed in many languages around the world, and had a very extended West End run when it was first translated into English a few years ago. The Circle’s choice of play which deals with the individual courage of those who would pursue their own course of pure conscience and idealism against all odds is most appropriate in a year that not only makes the Twenty Fifth Anniversary of the founding of the Circle, but also one in which the theatre, that so many of its members have sought with such singular devotion, will be opened.

More exciting news, however, is that Antigone has been entered to appear in three events of the National Theatre Festival after its Sligo run, Enniskillen, Derry and Ballinamore. Rehearsal and preparation, as a consequence, have been even more intense and thorough than usual and no effort has been spared to present a really first class show. The cast of this extremely difficult and ambitious play is directed by Liam Mc Kinney, current President of the Amateur Drama League of Ireland. Mr. Mc Kinney, of course, has had an enormously successful record as a director in competitive work in the past and will no doubt be aiming to clinch the National title once again.

In the lead role of Antigone, Liam has introduced an exciting newcomer to the Sligo stage in Ms Marianne Fahy. Marianne’s role is so demanding that she has had to forsake virtually all other activity for the past months in order to prepare herself. As she puts it herself: “The fact that I never leave the stage for the duration of the play is an enormous challenge in itself, not to speak of all the interpretative work that has to be done before one can even begin to think of playing a role like Antigone. It is very beautiful and exciting play and I really have enjoyed all the hard work that has gone into this production”.

Opposite Marianne in the epic role of Creon is the vastly experienced Manus Shields, who makes a welcome return to the boards. Kieran Hickey who many will remember as the amiable Tevya in “Fiddler on the Roof” plays the wry and cynical Chorus, originally created by Laurence Olivier, while Columb Mc Bride plays the bumptiously comic, yet cunning guard. The part of the “worldly and beautiful sister” is in the capable hands of Pam Donaghy, and the gentle nurse is played by Kathleen Lindey. Other roles are taken by Mark Rippon, Charles Henry, Imelda Mulligan, Tony Kavanagh, Anton Murphy and Jim Hickey. On this occasion the Circle have opted to perform the play in the more intimate and compact little theatre in Scoil Ursula, Strandhill Road, by kind permission of the Ursuline Sisters. Admission is £1.50, Students £1 and curtain up is at 8.15pm. Booking is at Keohanes, Castle Street. The opening night will be a Gala Performance with supper at Hotel Innisfree. Tickets £4.50 from members and committee.

from The Sligo Champion, March 6th, 1981