Arts news – Malthouse Players stage Unforgiven

UNFORGIVEN, from the pen of Leitrim dramatist John McDwyer, is the latest production in rehearsal by The Malthouse Players, Mountbellew. This earthy comedy, set against the backdrop of a rural community in decline, was described by its author as 'a mad play about mad people'. In the hands of The Malthouse Players, it should provide a great night's entertainment when it is staged during the first weekend in February. The action centres on the trials and tribulations of two movie-mad bachelor farmers around the time of the death of their ailing father. The main protagonist, PJ, has high expectations of inheriting the farm and marrying their good neighbour Mary, a spinster, whose own mother also happens to be in her final days. PJ's oddball brother, Seamie (or Wan Word) maintains a watching brief. When a third brother, Eamonn (who prefers Ed) returns from exile in California for the funeral, he begins the process of unveiling the harsh realities of life for PJ by reminding him that Hollywood is dreamland. As well as the conflict between perception and reality, the perennial issues of family property, sibling rivalry, revenge and unrequited love remain to be resolved. There is plenty of humour sprinkled with moments of pathos and poignancy as the plot unfolds to reach its climax in a most unpredictable and dramatic fashion. The director of Unforgiven is Malthouse doyenne Rita Dullaghan. She has drawn her cast from the company's wealth of talent and experience in previous productions - Margaret Farrell plays Mary, John Fitzmaurice is PJ and Joe Clarke is Seamie. Making his debut with the Malthouse Players, as Eamonn, is Tom Campbell, who has performed with distinction over many years in productions by Ballinasloe Musical Society. Unforgiven runs from Friday, February 1 to Sunday, February 3 in the Community Centre, Mountbellew at 8 pm. Learn to dance Sean-Nós NEXT Monday January 21 will see the return of Conradh na Gaeilge's popular sean-nós dancing classes under the expert and patient tuition of Conamara sean-nós dancer Pádraig Ó h'Oibicín. For anyone who hasn't already been hooked on sean-nós, it's an ad-hoc style of solo Irish dancing popular in Conamara that survived the strict regulation of Irish dance in the 1930s. Sean-Nós is rapidly catching on again; it is individual, very stylish and great to watch or to learn a few steps! Classes are being offered to the complete beginner at 7 pm, a class for the improvers at 8 pm and one for the more experienced learners at 9 pm. The classes cost only €90 for ten weeks. Early booking is advised as to ensure a space on the course. Further information is available from Conradh Na Gaeilge, 45 Sráid Doiminic, Gaillimh, phone 091 567824, e-mail conradh@bradan.iol.ie or visit www.arasnangael.ie Ó Riada re-imagined in song A NEW arrangement of Seán Ó Riada's Mass by Dmitri Yanov-Yanovskywill be performed on Friday Jan 25 at 8pm in St Nicholas Churh, Galway, by Louth Contemporary Music Society in association with Cois Cladaigh. The music of Seán Ó Riada, who is credited with re-igniting the popularity of Irish traditional music, is celebrated in this unique performance of a new arrangement of his Mass. The mass will be performed by the finest Irish professional singers in the newly formed EQ Singers, with Zoe Conway on fiddle, Siobhan Armstrong on harp and Robbie Harris on bodhrán. The choir and players will be conducted by Eamonn Dougan, Associate Conductor of internationally renowned ensemble The Sixteen. The Ó Riada Mass has been funded by the Arts Council's Traditional Arts Touring Programme scheme and is financially supported by Foras na Gaeilge. Women in music at the Crane THE women's music session, Mná Mna, stages its first showcase of 2013 this Thursday, 17th, starting at 9 pm upstairs in The Crane Bar, Sea Road, Galway, with Sinead White, Sweeney Lee and Dèlia Deluna & Lunatic Spoons. Sinead White is a singer/songwriter from Leixlip, Kildare; Sweeney Lee is a magpie musician and lover of all types of pie, and Dèlia Deluna & Lunatic Spoons are an original band. Their singing and composition is done through the Spanish language. Various members of the band are well known around Galway in the busking and open mic scenes, and are very much looking forward to playing Mná Mná at The Crane in January. Mná Mná (cover charge €5) is produced and curated by Niceol Blue, an award winning singer-songwriter, writer and poet. She has recently been gigging and showcasing her debut album 'Rise' (with her original band, The Copper Soul). She can also be found belting them out with The Prodigal Blues Band, singing sweet harmonies with the Americana band Harper's Ferry, and performing regularly as a prolific solo artist. Auditions for JCâ€Ë†Superstar AUDITIONS for the Marian Choral Society production of Jesus Christ Superstar in Tuam at Easter will be held in the Corralea Court Hotel this Thursday and Friday January 17-18 from 7.30 to 9.30. History Month at NUI Galway NUI Galway's Cumann Staire will hold a series of historical events across campus as part of a new dedicated Féile na Staire - History Month. The new initiative began on Monday and runs to 14 February. Organised in conjunction with other NUI Galway societies, History Month will include an array of events to suit all audiences from lectures and debates, to radio shows, tours and table quizzes. All events are open to the public. Also An Cumann Staire are willing to consider suggested events from the public which will add to Féile na Staire. For a full list of events visit www.cumannstaire.com.