Mercy Mounthawk students who will perform the play ‘The Plough and the Stars’ are, from left: Andrew Breewood, Killian O’Regan, Clodagh Harrington and Ciaran Ryan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
WITH the centenary of the 1916 rising around the corner, a cast of 16 Mercy Mounthawk students are set to perform the defining play from that period, ‘The Plough and the Stars’.
The Sean O’Casey classic depicts the harsh realities of life in the Dublin tenements before and during the Easter Rising and it will be brought to life at Siamsa Tire later month.
“We have an amazingly talented group of students,” said teacher, Denise Buckley.
“It isn’t your typical type of school play. It’s a really meaty text so the students are getting to live the lives of those who were around during the 1916 Rising,” said Denise.
“They’re really enjoying the play. It’s a really powerful tool to build confidence because you would think that teenagers would be very self-conscious. We find that them getting on stage improves their confidence no end,” said Denise.
The cast is made up of fifth year and transition year students, some of whom spoke about the 1916 rising and the importance of it today.
“Back then Irish people decided they had enough of British rule. Without the Rising there would be no modern Ireland,” said Andrew Breewood.
With the centenary of the event next year, cast member Luke Ryan was asked about the prospect of a modern-day rising of sorts, because of the current anger at the government.
“I don’t think that should happen. There is always great plans and ideas, but generally the people who carry them out are quite corrupt so I think it would be a waste of time. But if it was approached step by step, instead of a revolution, we could get a better system eventually,” he said.
‘The Plough and the Stars’ begins its three night run at Siamsa Tire from Thursday, January 29 to Saturday, January 31. All performances start at 8pm.
Tickets cost €12, €10 for students and senior citizens.
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Mercy Mounthawk students who will perform the play ‘The Plough and the Stars’ are, from left: Ciara McCarthy and Eamonn Maher. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Mercy Mounthawk students who will perform the play ‘The Plough and the Stars’ are, from left: Sinead Deasy and Luke Ryan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Mercy Mounthawk students who will perform the play ‘The Plough and the Stars’ are, from left: Ciaran Ryan, Andrew Breewood and Luke Ryan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Mercy Mounthawk students who will perform the play ‘The Plough and the Stars’ are, from left: Marie Courtney, Alicia Finnerty and Tracy O’Keeffe. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Mercy Mounthawk students who will perform the play ‘The Plough and the Stars’ are, from left: Donagh Broderick, Christian Keane, Billy Donovan and Diarmuid Barry. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
