Comedies with a local flavour

Editorial Department • Published 10 Jun 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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Ardhowen Theatre

Two very different comedies are coming to Ardhowen over the next couple of weeks. Tonight, Thursday 10th June at 8.00pm, the Lyric Theatre from Belfast continues its hugely successful tour of 'The Miser' with a visit to the Ardhowen Theatre. French Playwright Molière was a comedy genius, a satirist and above all an entertainer. Written in the 17th Century, 'The Miser' resonates loudly with audiences today and tells the story of a wealthy but greedy money lender named Harpingon.

In this hilarious new Ulsterised adaptation of this classic comedy, Scottish actor Andy Gray, best known for his role in the television comedy series, Rab C Nesbitt will play the title role. Directed by the popular Northern Ireland actor and director Dan Gordon, it's a production with much to offer including matchmakers, buried treasure, forbidden romance and missing Lords, in a spiral of outrageous comic confusion.

It's the story of a wealthy but miserly money lender named Harpingon who, when he decides to marry off his children against their will, sets the whole family against him and who plot to steal his fortune. With romance in the air and the family treasure buried in the back garden, it's a race to see who will come out on top. Can Harpingon stay a step ahead and hang onto his beloved hoard, getting himself a hot young bride to boot, or will his children succeed in foiling his selfish plans.

In an excellent ensemble cast, strong performances from Andy Gray as the Miser, Michael Condron's excellent portrayal of a trio of rascals, menservants and a Scottish Lord and Katie Tumelty's scene stealing Margarita are worth mentioning. Neil Martin's music is as always a delight, Dianna Ennis's cleavage-rich dresses, Stuart Marshall's set and Conleth White's lighting all contribute to a wonderful evening's entertainment. Don't miss it.

Ladies Day

The Gateway Theatre, from Portadown, brings Amanda Whittington's comedy to the Ardhowen on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th June at 8pm as part of the Theatre's Summer season of comedy. Work, love and life are one hard slog for Tayto factory working foursome Pearl, Jan, Shelley and Linda. Pearl who is quick to point out she is not retiring, has decided to leave her job in the factory to spend more time with her husband. She happens to come across a lucky find of four tickets to Royal Ascot races on Ladies Day. So, on the spur of the moment she decides to celebrate with an all-girls outing to the races on that day. As Ladies Day is just as important for the fashion as it is for the racing itself, the girls dump the hairnets and overalls and tart themselves up ready to strut their stuff.

As the day unfolds and they arrive in their best dresses and hats, the champagne flows, secrets start to spill out and their horses keep winning. Will their luck hold? Will they win the jackpot?

All will be revealed in this laugh a minute romp. Joining the girls at their day at the races are, TV pundits, gamblers, ticket touts, jockeys and bookmakers in a madcap merry go round of laughs and fun. The Gateway Theatre thought that it would be nice to localise the production and set it in Portadown. So with the permission of the playwright, they did indeed do this. So with permission also from Tayto to set the factory scenes in their Tandragee factory, they have come up with a very enjoyable production indeed.

Other Performances

The Annual Ulster Project Concert takes place on Tuesday 15th June, while The Kings And Queen of Country Show takes to the stage on Thursday June 24th.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 10 Jun 10

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