Carey Faughs Hurling Club play, ”The Wake in the West” opened on Friday night in Carey Hall to a packed audience.
The Wake in the West is a popular Irish comedic play written by Mayo playwright Michael J. Ginnelly. Set in a small fishing village in the West of Ireland during the 1970s, it’s a fast-paced laugh-a-minute comedy that revolves around the wake of Tom Healy, a local character who loved his whisky. Tom drunk himself to death and now wishes his grave to be a watery one by requesting a cremation and the scattering of his ashes at sea. The fun begins when a neighbour decides that Tom is not entitled to take it all with him.
With the play sold out on Friday and Saturday night, and the vast majority of the tickets for Sunday night sold as well, the event has been a great success for the club. Chairman Sean McBride wrote a foreword for the event programme.
Fáilte everyone
On behalf of Carey Faughs, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to you all as you join us for our 3-act comedy play this weekend.
Firstly, a huge thank you to our wonderful cast, all of whom have strong connections to Carey. Special thanks to our director, Padraig Hill, co-director and prompter Ann Donnelly, prompter Catherine Butler, and our talented makeup artist Kellyann McKillen.
Since November, they have dedicated countless hours of hard work and commitment to ensure you enjoy a fantastic night of laughter.
We would also like to sincerely thank all the businesses, both local and from further afield, who have generously supported us through programme sponsorship and raffle prizes. Please support these businesses where you can and let them know you saw their advertisement at the show in Carey Hall.
Finally, our appreciation goes to our backroom team, set designers and organisers. Without their invaluable support, a production like this simply would not be possible.
I hope you all have a wonderful evening. Sit back, relax and enjoy tonight’s performance.
Sean McBride
Cathaoirleach – Carey Faughs GAC
There may be a few tickets left for Sunday nights performace if you contact the Carey Faughs Club
MEET THE CAST
Anna Hill: Anna is no stranger to entertaining guests at her Airbnb, but this time she turns her talents to entertaining the audience as the grieving daughter. A whizz in the kitchen and always ready to cook up a storm—especially when it comes to Tom’s final request — Anna isn’t about to let him go quietly. She’ll fight tooth and nail to reclaim Tom’s jewels… but Rose may have other plans altogether.
Anne McBride: Anne might seem a bit of a nervous crater but believe you me she could fool anyone. Anne plays the part of neighbour Margaret who is fearless, a little light fingered at times but needs her fidget settled every now and then with a wee one! The same lady would soon hit you a quare hard slap. God help that poor ‘holic’ of hers.
Bernie McAlister: Bernie who takes on the character of Rose is a confident, charismatic, and heroically incapable of letting a single thought go unexamined. She’ll fight tooth and nail for what she wants, although she’s a kind of lovable troublemaker who brings both charm and mild panic wherever she goes. Tonight, Bernie transforms into a gentle elderly lady attending a wake of dearly departed Tom Healy. Bernie promises a performance filled with dignity, respect, and absolutely no unexpected antics surrounding the deceased. Everything will remain exactly where it was placed. If only!!
Caolán McCaughan: Caolán steps into the role of Barney, the so-called local “village drunk” and loyal (if slightly troublesome) pal of the late Tom Healy. Fond of a pint and pushing the boat out in more ways than one, Caolán is far more at home on the pitch than the stage. With a few mishaps already under his belt, could Barney still steal the show?
Daniel Gormley: Daniel plays the role of good ole ‘Dr John’ in the play, taking on a very important part as the deceased’s doctor and executor. As Daniel says ‘Acting has always been my dream, and to have been asked by my local community to perform in their play means a lot to me. Dr John has been entrusted in carrying out the last wish of poor aule Tom Healy.
Elizabeth Hill: Elizabeth takes to the stage as Joan, a neighbour and good friend to Mary. She acts a young, single woman in her early twenties who was rather fond of spending time “in the bushes”… enough said! This is her very first time strutting the boards, but don’t be fooled — her father Jimmy has taught her all she knows from his play days and after tonight you’ll all be asking where she gets her prescription for acting! Off stage, Elizabeth loves her workouts, and judging by rehearsals, she’s been getting plenty of exercise already! Stay away from those bushes Elizabeth!
Frank McCarry: Frank made his debut on stage a few years ago when he starred in Strictly. He’s back again, only this time in a more serious role starring as the parish priest, Fr Cassidy. He is tasked with looking after the funeral of Tom Healy and his unusual last wishes that goes terribly wrong. Watch this space Fr Con. This could be your new curate!
Jake Paterson: Jake was really delighted to have been asked to take part in the upcoming play. The challenge of acting as the late Tom Healy has got me back into my meditation practice and I’m really enjoying the part so much. I can rest in the centre of the stage and listen to my fellow performers play their parts so well that when it comes to my performance it all goes like clockwork! As Jake says ‘I have the most relaxing part in the show – I lie back relax and enjoy myself just like the audience’!
Jimmy McKiernan: Jimmy who plays Martin has been acting his whole life. Acting the what? We’ll leave that up to the audience to decide. His father Harry was a prominent figure in local amateur dramatics and appeared in the same play for Ballycastle hurling club. Jimmy is trying to fill the old man’s shoes to a point but there is still a bit of room in the toes. He hopes to put on a performance that will entertain the audience and make his father proud.TO SEE MORE PICS FROM FRIDAY’S OPENING NIGHT IN CAREY HALL CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
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