Tullamore group counting down to opening night of classic comedy
Tullamore Amateur Dramatic Society (TADS) is counting down the days to opening night of its latest production, Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan, which opens at Esker Arts, Tullamore, on Wednesday next, November 11.
Running for four nights, to Saturday, November 14, with performances starting at 8pm nightly, this classic comedy brings audiences into the world of Victorian high society, where scandal, secrets and reputations are closely related.
With Wilde’s famously sharp wit and brilliant dialogue at its heart, the play explores a society where appearances are everything and one rumour can change lives in an instant.
After months of rehearsals and preparation, a cast of more than 15 actors, under the direction of TADS member Fionnuala Corrigan, is putting the final touches to what promises to be an exciting production.
Speaking about the upcoming show, Ciara Kinnarney, PRO for TADS, said: "Many people will recognise some of Oscar Wilde’s famous lines, including the lovelorn Lord Darlington’s ‘We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars’.
"What makes this production particularly enjoyable is the opportunity to hear these lines in their original context and experience the wit and humour of Wilde’s writing brought to life on stage.
"We believe audiences will be surprised by just how funny, relevant and entertaining this play remains today," she said.
Written in 1892, Lady Windermere’s Fan also offers a sharp look at the double standards of Victorian society. Wilde challenges the expectations placed on women, particularly the contrast between the freedom afforded to men and the judgement faced by women who dared to step outside society’s rules.
The story centres on the young Lady Windermere, played by Ella Condron, who, on the occasion of her 21st birthday, begins to suspect that her husband, Lord Windermere played by George Ross, has been unfaithful.
When she discovers that he has been secretly visiting another woman, Mrs Erlynne, and giving her large sums of money, she is faced with a series of difficult choices. What follows is a tangled story of suspicion, social pressure, loyalty and sacrifice, with plenty of humour and unexpected turns along the way.
The cast brings together performers from Offaly, Westmeath, Kildare and Laois. Alongside Ella Condron and George Ross are Terri Brennan as Mrs Erlynne, Daniel Shanley as Lord Darlington, Susan McDonnell as the Duchess of Berwick, Colin McDonnell as Lord Augustus Lorton and Caoimhe Cullen as Cecil Graham.
Also appearing on stage are familiar TADS faces Frank O’Brien as Mr Dumby, Dermot Muldowney, Laura Molloy and Denise Keoghan, alongside newer faces Zoë Connell, Hazel Keegan, Natalia, Aidan Digan and Helena Brady.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated production team has spent the past number of months sourcing costumes and set pieces and managing the many practical details involved in bringing a production of this scale to the stage. This work has been overseen by Production Manager Jacinta Dillon, who has been delighted with the great support she has received from many businesses and individuals.
TADS has continued to bring a varied programme of theatre to local audiences in recent years, with productions including Bernard Farrell’s Bookworms, John B. Keane’s The Year of the Hiker and Marina Carr’s Portia Coughlan.
Now, the society is looking forward to welcoming audiences back to Esker Arts for four nights of Oscar Wilde’s timeless comedy, with plenty of its famous quotes, sharp observations and Victorian scandal along the way.
TADS reminds you that tickets are selling fast and recommends booking your ticket to avoid disappointment.
For more information on TADS, visit tullamoredrama.ie . Tickets are available from the Esker Arts website or from the centre’s box office.