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UCD’s DramSoc is wrapping up its 97th session and the academic year with a final 2 shows and interestingly, both with a deceased cat theme…
The Lieutenant of Inishmore, directed by Will Farren
The Lieutenant of Inishmore is a play written by Martin McDonagh, first performed in 2001. Will has been drawn to McDonagh’s work ever since he started reading plays. Today, he is braving McDonagh’s signature dark and sardonic comedy, although Will hopes this show will be a guaranteed laughter-filled experience. In his own words, a synopsis follows:
“On a lonely road on the island of Inishmore, someone killed Mad Padraic’s cat. He’ll want to know who did it when he returns from a stint of torture and chip-shop bombing in Northern Ireland. He loves his cat more than life itself, and someone is going to pay.”
Will emphasises that “This play is an easy watch and very accessible for people who are new to theatre, and I would love for this piece to be the reason why they come and watch more shows both in DramSoc and in other theatres. The best thing about DramSoc is that a lot of our members have rediscovered their love for drama by either working on or watching shows like this. So, I would like this play to be the reason someone gets back into theatre.”
DramSoc’s last McDonagh production was in 2022 with The Beauty Queen of Lenane. This is Will’s fifth and final year in DramSoc, but his first show to direct, which he poignantly expresses as his “swan song.”
He praises his team behind the show: “All the actors in this production have been phenomenal, and I couldn’t have asked for a better cast to bring this play to life. I have three freshers on my cast: James Durkin (Padraic), Eoin Kelly (Davey) and Daniel Hughes (James/Joey). These lads are only new to the society but have blown me away in the shows that I have seen them in, and I was ecstatic to see them walk into the audition room. It’s been a pleasure working with them, and I have no doubt they will go on to do amazing things in DramSoc and beyond.”
The Lieutenant of Inishmore will be performed in the DramSoc theatre in the student centre at 1 pm on the 21st and then 7 pm on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of April!
It’s The End of Times, written and directed by Asia Fontanorosa
Asia finds inspiration in the absurd, specifically the work of the French/Romanian playwright Eugene Ionesco, who she says has deeply influenced her writing of this play. Asia gathered much of the symbolism in her play from Ionesco’s 1962 play Exit the King. In her own words, a synopsis follows:
“A very stressed, very emotionally drained protagonist named Darcy has to deal with a cheating fiancé and multiple life-altering deadlines. Thankfully, her dead cat, Piccolo, appears to make sure she is right but mainly to inform her that the world is going to end at 5 pm. And she can’t do anything about it.”
Asia says that a lot of her own life has influenced this play. She tells me, “I am from Italy and have been living in Ireland for four years now. My cats have grown up, and I don’t know how long I’ll get to be with them. The brevity of our pets’ lives puts into perspective our own time on earth and that fear that tomorrow could be the end. Piccolo, Darcy’s cat, is basically based on my fear of losing my first cat, Piper.”
“My actors are the best. Since I don’t have an assistant director, most of all the creative decisions fell on to me, which has been quite stressful. But my actors have been there to help with doubts! Robin Turner (Darcy) supported me many times with bookings for the theatre, make up and costume organisation in the dressing room and they are just amazing. I try to work collaboratively with my actors where I can, so I value their opinion. It just enriches the play!”
Asia wants to tell the audience to “expect some bizarre stuff. It is inspired by the absurd, after all!”
It’s The End of Times will be performed in the DramSoc theatre in the student centre at 1 pm from the 14th – 18th of April!
Tickets for Will and Asia’s plays are €5 at the door and €3 for DramSoc members – so definitely get involved!