James Ryan is an aspiring playwright, who is trying to write a three-act play. With inspiration at a low ebb, James decides to write about something he knows. He discovers that Trish’s parents, Kevin and Netta are going through a rough patch in their marriage and decides that this would make a good plot for his play. And since they all despise his playwriting, he presumes they will never see it. It emerges that Kevin is having an affair with his physiotherapist, Rosaleen Flavin. James stumbles upon this information and works it into the play. However, he becomes caught up in Kevin’s attempts to keep the affair a secret when Kevin learns that he (James) unwittingly reported Netta to Traffic Watch for dangerous driving. Soon afterwards Kevin elopes with Rosaleen, but is forced to return home a much humbler man when her strict exercise and fitness regime proves too much for him. Meanwhile, unknown to James, his brother Declan fancies Trish and is using every opportunity to undermine the couple’s relationship. When the play is eventually about to be staged, Declan finds out what inspired James to write it and strives to make sure that Trish and her parents will be in the audience on the opening night. This, he hopes, will finish the couple’s marriage for good.
List of characters:
James Ryan – a teacher, who is an aspiring playwright in his thirties
Trish Ryan – his wife, who has no time for his work
Declan Ryan – James’ devious brother, who fancies Trish
Netta Mitchell – Trish’s fiery mother, with a heart of steel
Kevin Mitchell – Netta’s fiftysomething husband with more wild oats to sow
Biddy Hunt – the gossiping neighbour from across the road
Rosaleen Flavin – the physiotherapist with a mean right hook
Gda Patrick Doyle – an inexperienced garda, not long out of Templemore
Justin Tweedy – the highly sensitive but very enthusiastic director
The play takes place in the Ryans’ living room.
Winner of the Most Entertaining Play Award at the 2007 Doonbeg Drama Festival.
Winner of Confined Section at the 2007 Doonbeg Drama Festival.
Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Performed by:
Kildysart Drama Group, Co. Clare – March 2007 (5 nights)
Rathcabbin Players, Co. Tipperary – January 2008 (7 nights)
Killoran Drama Group, Co. Tipperary – March 2008 (7 nights)
Ballycumber Drama Group, Co. Offaly – January 2009 (3 nights)
Emly Players, Co. Tipperary – March 2009 (4 nights)
ICC Drama Group, Canton, Massachusetts – May 2009 (3 nights)
Hillside Players, Ardpatrick, Co. Limerick – January/February 2010 (9 nights)
Killoscully Players, Co. Tipperary – March 2012 (6 nights)
Barrymore Players, Co. Cork – Feb/March 2013 (4 nights)
Castlewood Players, Co. Clare – March/April 2013 (5 nights)
Kilflynn Drama Group, Co. Kerry – April 2013 (4 nights)
Puckane and Carrig Drama Group, Co Tipperary – Nov 2013 (3 nights)
Abbeyside Players, Co. Limerick – March 2014 (6 nights)
Newtowncashel Drama Group, Co. Longford – March 2015 (3 nights)
Inch Drama Group, Co. Tipperary – March 2015 (4 nights).