Award-winning play set for Esker Arts stage

Hollywood comes to rural Ireland in this hilarious multi-award-winning play which ran for four years in London's West End.

Stones in His Pockets is a comedy with a poignant undercurrent, about a small rural town in Ireland where a Hollywood epic is being filmed. The story centres on Charlie Conlon and Jake Quinn, who, like much of the town, are employed as extras for the filming. After a tragic incident concerning a local teenager, Charlie and Jake assume responsibility for giving an account of events, taking on all the roles themselves.

A two-hander that delights in exploring the limits of comedy and theatricality, and the collision of romanticised notions of 'Irishness' and the harsher reality, Stones in His Pockets has delighted audiences around the world.

Colin Hughes and Chris Corroon take on all 16 characters in this very cleverly written piece of theatre. Colin and Chris are no strangers to local audiences having performed in many theatre productions throughout the years. This multi-award-winning duo bring all the characters from the rural locality and the bright lights of Hollywood to life.

Marie Jones's play was first staged at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast in June 1999 before opening at the Tricycle Theatre, London, in August 1999. It transferred to the New Ambassadors Theatre, London, in May 2000.

Stones in His Pockets won the 2001 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy.

Colin Hughes Promotions brings this play to Tullamore after previous successful, sell out productions of The Snapper, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Avenue Q and Les Miserables.

Stones in His Pockets runs in Esker Arts Tullamore from Tuesday, September 29 to Saturday, October 3. Tickets are on sale now from Esker Arts website and are likely to sell out.

Chris Corroon is an actor, drama and dance teacher. He’s a well-known member of Tullamore Musical Society and has been nominated for multiple national AIMS awards, winning Best Actor for his role as Lola in Kinky Boots in 2023, and Best Singer for his leading role in Jekyll and Hyde in 2019.

He holds an associate degree in musical theatre from Associate Board of Dance UK. He works with Fun House Factory Drama School, based in Tullamore and the surrounding areas.