COUNTY NEWS
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 3 October, 2014
CURTAIN CALL PRODUCTIONS
DUNGARVAN REHEARSALS continue apace for Curtain Call Productions Dungarvan’s premier production, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which takes place in Dungarvan Town Hall Theatre from Wednesday, 22nd – Saturday, 25th October. Director Fidelma Meaney is exceptionally proud of how the cast have committed to this production. Amazingly, roughly half of the cast have never been on stage in a drama production before, or at all, but you’d never know it by the performances they’re delivering already in rehearsals.The energy, talent and commitment of all involved are sure to result in a fantastic production in a few weeks’ time. There have been a few cast changes, but it hasn’t stopped progress in any way, and everyone is “off-script” and working hard to put the finishing touches to their performance. The cast: Kris Cowming (Randle McMurphy), Killian Power (Chief Bromden), Owen Matthews (Billy Bibbitt), Emma Walsh (Nurse Ratchet), Hugh O’Donnell (Dale Harding),
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One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Michael Wright (Martini), Michael O’Mahony (Scanlon), Damien Canning (Cheswick), Colin Kirkham (Warren), Jimmy Halcrow (Williams), Catherine Whelan (Dr. Spivey), Clare Denmead (Nurse Flinn), Martin Landers (Ruckley),Valerie Daly (Candy Starr), Emma O’Donnell (Sandra), Raymond Tobin (Turkle), Samantha Hayes (Nurse Kelly), Blathnaid Foley (Nurse Szwarovski), Damien Geoghegan (Catatonic) and Aaron Cowming (Catatonic). Tickets (€12) are available from The Wine Buff, Grattan Square, Dungarvan and Joe Kelly’s Pharmacy, the Causeway, Abbeyside. They’re selling fast already, and some people are making a night of it, with dinner reservations being made in some of Dungarvan’s fine eateries! So get your tickets soon to avoid disappointment. Proceeds from the first night (Wednesday, 22nd October) are going to the Newport Day Centre, which provides therapeutic and diversional therapies to those in our community struggling with enduring mental
health difficulties. Given that One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is essentially about the treatment (or rather the mistreatment) of mental health illness, Curtain Call Productions Dungarvan is delighted to be able to support this fantastic facility in the work they do in our community. And don’t forget to check out our Facebook page facebook.com/CCPDungarvan to keep up with all the news from Curtain Call Productions Dungarvan. KRIS COWMING CCPD team member, Kris Cowming was born in Dungarvan. Aged 16, he starred in West Side Story, and returned to the stage a few years later when he starred in Dungarvan Dramatic Club’s “Stags & Hens” in 2012, co-directed by CCPD Chairwoman, Mary Kelly. And it has been all drama since then – Kris has performed in seven productions in the last two years. He reached the finals of the All-Ireland One-Act Festival in 2013 with Fermoybased Take 5 Drama Club, pick-
ing up some Best Actor awards on the circuit! Previous roles include a doctor, a milkman, a policeman, a war leader, a drunk and a man with a split personality. Talk about versatility! Kris is excited to be playing Randle McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. All the more so because he will be sharing the stage with his brother Aaron for the first time. When he’s not performing, rehearsing or learning lines, Kris can be found in John Keane’s Bar (working!), where he has been an employee for nearly four years. And immediately after Cuckoo, Kris will be on stage again with Take 5 as they venture onto the All-Ireland circuit once more! AARON COWMING Born in Dungarvan, Aaron now works as a personal assistant with the Irish Wheelchair Association in Cork. Aaron’s last time on stage was when he took part in Tops of the Town in 1985 as part of the Dungarvan Youth Club group (directed by the great Nancy Kelly), when he was just 7! In
Brothers Kris and Aaron Cowming who are both starring in Curtain Call Productions Dungarvan's premier production, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, from 22nd – 25th October, 2014. [Marlene Kirby] recent years, Aaron had been considering treading the boards once again, wanting to experience theatre and all it involves, so when the opportunity came up to play one of the catatonics in Curtain Call Productions Dungarvan’s production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, he jumped at it, mainly after being inspired by his brother Kris, who is also involved (playing Randle McMurphy). Both Aaron and Kris are very excited
at the prospect of starring in this play together. And Curtain Call Productions Dungarvan is delighted to have this family connection on stage for their first production. In his spare time, Aaron loves to write poetry, read and spend time with friends. He is also in the early stages of writing a play on a topic very close to his heart, and hopes this will be the start of a new and exciting journey.
Walk Waterford - Autumn Series NEXT WALK – GLENSHELANE WOODS The Walk Waterford Autumn Series organised by Waterford Sports Partnership is a series of five walks which give people a chance to get out and get active whilst enjoying the beautiful Waterford countryside. Waterford Sports Partnership was delighted to see such a great turnout for the second walk in the Autumn Series on Sunday, 28th September. Twenty eight
people, including babies in buggies, young children and seasoned walkers attended the 4.6km looped walk in Stradbally to celebrate the Irish Heart Foundation’s Happy Hearts Day. The walk began at the Barrack Cross in Stradbally Village and the walkers headed out towards Ballyvooney Cove with spectacular views of the Tramore coastline and Hook Head lighthouse. At Ballyvooney Cove we decided to take a break and enjoy
the views of Gull Island. After quick refreshments, we continued our loop and were treated to great views of the majestic Comeragh Mountains. A special thank you to the Stradbally Tidy Towns committee and our volunteers on the day, Eileen Roche and Margo Crowley who assisted WSP in organising this walk.Well done to everybody for taking part on a fresh Sunday morning. The next walk is at 11.00 a.m.
on Sunday, October 5th, is in the beautiful Glenshelane Woods, near Cappoquin, County Waterford. Glenshelane or Gleann Siothláin means “The Glen of the Fairies”. The walk takes you along the river up into the Glenshelane Valley sheltered by a pleasant forest of beech, ash, oak and many beautiful flora and fauna. The meeting point is in the car park at woods. From Cappoquin travel the
Group Photo Stradbally
Clogheen/Melleray Road R669 for a distance of 1km until you come to a grotto, veer right and the car park entrance is a short distance after crossing Bealick Bridge. The series of walks are suitable for families and leisure walkers, all you need is suitable walking shoes (runners are ideal) and a rain jacket just in case. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. So come along bring your
family and friends, County Waterford it is yours to discover or rediscover! To find out more contact Pauline Cunningham, Sports Development Officer, Waterford Sports Partnership on (051) 849855/086 7837385 or email p c u n n i n g h a m @ wa t e r f o rd sportspartnership.ie or check out www.waterfordsportspartnership.ie for a full list of the Autumn Series of walks.