Sligo Drama Circle’s Special Summer Double: ‘Juno’ / ‘Oedipus’

‘Summertime and the living is easy’ – isn’t exactly what you’ll hear S.D.C. Director, Walter Mc Donagh, chirping during this holiday season. Living indeed is easy if you’re lazing languidly on the sun drenched decks of the ‘St. Louis Princess’ as you glide down by the ‘Gateway Arch’, swept on by mighty Mississippi, a mega-sized cigar in hand and the requisite crate of the ever-so-popular ‘Bud Light’ on ice. Summer ’89 the reality! Despite not having the power of bi-location, Walter has effectively achieved bi-production. Just imagine this programme: From August 11th to August 23rd inclusive, (one night only, August 14th excluded), the Sligo Drama Circle presents W. B. Yeats version of ‘King Oedipus’ and the O’ Casey classic, ‘Juno and the Paycock, both directed by Walter Mc Donagh. So Sligo’s long serving Drama Circle have been very busy over the past few months.

The calendar of events at the Hawk’s Well reads as follows: (1) King Oedipus, Friday 11th and Saturday 12th August; (2) Juno and the Paycock, Sunday 13th August to Sunday 20th August (excluding Monday 14th); (3) King Oedipus, Monday 21st, Tuesday 22nd, Wednesday 23rd. These performances will, of course, coincide with the Yeats International Summer School. The background and build-up to both productions is quite unique. First there’s the much travelled ‘Juno’, one of S.D.C.’s greatest success stories, indeed almost the stuff of dreams. This production first appeared during the summer of ’88 and while playing at the Hawk’s Well, it so impressed some American visitors, including Joe Mc Glynn, Irish Consul at St. Louis, that the entire cast and production crew were invited to St. Louis. Many readers will have read of the marvellous nights in the magnificent Sheldon Theatre on Washington Ave. and the boundless hospitality enjoyed by all. Indeed its not unlikely that some of S.D.C.’s St. Louis friends may happen to be here again for this ‘Juno’ production.

The success of ‘Juno’ can best be gauged from a few excerpts from that much feared and highly esteemed drama critic, Joe Pollack. Writing in the influential St. Louis Post-Dispatch, he comments on the S.D.C.’s production: “The production was good – often very good. It’s exciting to listen to O’ Casey’s words coming from actors who are part of the land and the heritage – Eddie Mac Dermottroe is splendid as Jack Boyle. He has a perfect match in Lionel Gallagher as Joxer. It’s a rich and superior performance. Ann Mc Dermott, as Juno is solid and impressive. Ita Mc Morrow, a blowzy-blonde neighbour, makes the most of her appearances”. Great praise surely, the kind that any drama group would be tempted to overuse in its publicity. Al the above named are back again in ‘Jun’ and there are some new and impressive cast changes, notably Noreen Egan of ‘Blood Wedding’ fame, and John Woods from the professional ranks of the Acorn Company.

And so to ‘Oedipus’. This full length English version by W. B. Yeats is on a grand scale. Especially commissioned by the Sligo Yeats Society for this commemorative year (1939 – 1989) and generously sponsored by the Bank of Ireland. Sligo theatre-goers shouldn’t miss this glittering production: The sets have been professionally constructed as have the splendid masks and costumes of Kate Mc Donagh and John Foley; the original music is by Barry Brennan and Padraic Meehan; as usual the choreography by Mary Mc Donagh is top class. It has long been widely acknowledged that Sligo Drama Circle has developed a special expertise in the production of Yeats plays. Again director, Walter Mc Donagh, epitomises this great tradition of close on thirty years involvement and experience. This production of ‘Oedipus’ has offered new scope for his creative urges and just look at the brilliant array of vocal talent he has assembled: Speakers of the calibre of Edmund and David Henry, Paddy Dooney, Bill Hickey, Joe Meehan, Yvonne Curran, John Kavanagh – its a huge case, including speaking and non-speaking choruses, all visually enhanced by Paul Tucker’s lighting skills.

And so this very exciting, specially commissioned 20th century version of ‘Oedipus’ brings a rather unique theatrical opportunity to Sligo audiences. That poor unfortunate who managed to kill his dad and marry his mum etc. etc. is one of the greatest of Greek classical scenarios, which has been further immortalised as the Oedipus Complex of modern psychology. These two summer specials, ‘Juno’ and ‘Oedipus’, must rate as a glowing tribute to the enthusiasm and expertise of one man in particular, Walter Mc Donagh. Come and see for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.

from The Sligo Weekender, August 1989