“The Odd Couple” Takes to the Stage

Tuesday night, 6th March, marks the opening night of Neil Simon’s uproarious comedy “The Odd Couple” at the Hawk’s Well Theatre, presented by Sligo Drama Circle. Director, Joan Fitzpatrick has put together a great cast for this fast paced comedy. The play was the forerunner of the film “The Odd Couple” and of the long running spin-off series.

The main characters of Oscar Madison and Felix Unger were played by Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon in the film, and, in the series, by Jack Klugmann and Tony Randall. In Sligo Drama Circle’s version, local actors, Gerry Ryan and Robert Fitzpatrick are perfect for the parts. Gerry takes to the role of sloppy, couldn’t-care-less Oscar as if born to play it, and Robert brings his comic skills to perfectly capture the obsessive, neurotic character of Felix.

They are more than ably supported by Terre Duffy, Niamh Curley, Damien Quinn, Lionel Gallagher, John Hannon and Eamonn Killilea, all local actors, some well known to Sligo audiences, some new faces. The play is guaranteed laugh-a-minute production. The first night – Tuesday 6th March – will run as a fund-raiser for St. Mary’s GAA club, and the play will run until 10th March at 8.30pm in the Hawk’s Well Theatre.

from The Sligo Champion, February 28th, 2001