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Paula McElligott, Barbara O’Sullivan and Alison Walsh at the production from Hy-Breasal Players on Thursday night in Madden’s Cafe. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE Hy-Breasal Players’ latest production is halfway through a four night run of sold-out shows with performances in Madden’s Cafe taking place over the past two nights and another brace to follow in The Ballymac Bar on Friday and Saturday.
‘Christmas Coffee’ is a collection of six 15-minute plays, set in a coffee shop, all written and directed by Frank Houlihan. Each play is set on Christmas Eve and all had Christmas themes.
The first, ‘Prelude,’ saw John Fraher perform as Larry Laide, who shares some Christmas recollections which move between pathos and humour. Second up was Raphael Crowley, as Father Teddy, and George Lowe, as Father Bill, in ‘Confession.’
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This was followed by ‘Ninety-Nine,’ a comedy with Mary Higgins and Siobhan Lowe-Keane. John Patton and Rhona Johnston then took on the roles of Big Tom and June in ‘Gone.’
After the interval, Gillian Wharton, as Nancy, and Kay Dowling, as Mary entertain in a mad cap dark comedy with Eleanor Sugrue, as Bean Garda Divane.
The play, ‘Marley,’ rounded off the evening’s entertainment with John Scroop, excelling as Marley, in a piece that explores the importance of the many details of which life is made.
He is ably supported by Ewan Morris, as Bobby, Sorcha Úi Shúilleabháin, as Mrs Woulfe, and Judy Costello, as Mother.
Overseeing the business of the café is the hard working and non-too friendly café owner, Brady, played by John Creagh, the most hard-working actor of all.
As ever there is a charitable aspect to Hy-Breasal productions and this year they are donating to St. Vincent de Paul, Tralee and Adapt, Tralee.
Frank and all Hy-Breasal members are grateful, to Ash Maguire and Rebekah Wall of Madden’s Café, to Patrick Creagh and family of the Ballymac Bar, Boherbee, for rehearsal and performance space, to Joe Ryle of Focus, Castle Street, to Zyber Theatre Tralee, Peter Colleran, Tommie Sweeney, and Ger O’Gorman. Frank also thanked Catherine Sweeney for her invaluable help. Scroll down for photos…
Writer and director of ‘Christmas Coffee’ Frank Houlihan with Kathleen Reidy at the production from Hy-Breasal Players on Thursday night in Madden’s Cafe. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Cast members John Creagh, George Lowe, John Scroope and Sorcha Uí Shuilleabháin at the production from Hy-Breasal Players on Thursday night in Madden’s Cafe. Photo by Dermot Crean
Cast members John Fraher and Gillian Wharton Slattery at the production from Hy-Breasal Players on Thursday night in Madden’s Cafe. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Margaret Doody and Mary Quirke at the production from Hy-Breasal Players on Thursday night in Madden’s Cafe. Photo by Dermot Crean
Joe Bergin, Brendan O’Sullivan and John Heveran at the production from Hy-Breasal Players on Thursday night in Madden’s Cafe. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Cast members Siobhan Keane and Mary Higgins at the production from Hy-Breasal Players on Thursday night in Madden’s Cafe. Photo by Dermot Crean
Frank Houlihan and the cast of ‘Christmas Coffee’ the production from Hy-Breasal Players on Thursday night in Madden’s Cafe. Photo by Dermot Crean
John and Carmel Patton at the production from Hy-Breasal Players on Thursday night in Madden’s Cafe. Photo by Dermot Crean
Marisa Hanafin and Linda Baker at the production from Hy-Breasal Players on Thursday night in Madden’s Cafe. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Cast members Rhona Johnston and Kay Dowling at the production from Hy-Breasal Players on Thursday night in Madden’s Cafe. Photo by Dermot Crean
Janette Murphy and Sinead Murphy at the production from Hy-Breasal Players on Thursday night in Madden’s Cafe. Photo by Dermot Crean
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