Dancing at Luchansa

On walking into the studio theatre I was immediately struck by the set depicting the home of the Mundy Family.  It felt, as if walking through the quiet Irish countryside one had just come across their small cottage.  The design cleverly showed both the inside and outside of the dwelling; the interior contained table, chairs, sink and an extremely authentic looking over while the exterior garden space included a washing line, trees, shrubs, a bench and a pathway.  Congratulations to Shaun Johnson on providing this excellent setting and also to the properties ladies, Elizabeth Griggs and Margaret Nightingale who had obviously researched the period well.  When presenting a period piece attention to detail is very important.

The play is set in 1936 at the beginning of the harvest season which from ancient times had been dedicated to the pagan god, Lugh – a time for much celebration.  The story features the Mundy Sisters who have recently welcomed home their brother, Father Jack back from his missionary work in Africa supposedly to regain his health.  The sisters face a constant battle to eke out an existence while with the coming of the radio and industrial changes, their rural life looks to have an uncertain future.

The whole play is related, in retrospect, by Michael (nicely played by Keven French) who is the illegitimate son of one of the sisters.  He is told with humour but also a poignancy and embraces the laughter and upsets that seemed to be so much part of Irish family life.  The parts of the sisters were, without exception, well played and their characteristics clearly delineated.  Kate, the teacher, played by Debbie Draycott who worried about the future was a strong character, with June Johnson’s philosophical Maggie giving great support (as long as there was a woodbine to hand!)  Barbara Alleborn (Agnes) and Lorna Wood (a naïve Rose) played their respective roles well.  Emma Legg, as Christina, made her character really believable as she lives with the hope that her charming but feckless lover (Gerry, a good portrayal by Sebastian Goss) would, one day, deliver on all his promises to her and their son.  And Shaun Johnson made the most of his smaller role of Father Jack.

Finally congratulations to everyone involved on putting on yet another fine performance- much hard work had gone into the productions.  Well done Teresa your steady guiding hand resulted in a strong entertainment and an evening to remember!

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.