The Seagull by Anton Chekov

adapted and directed by Gerard O'Shea

17th - 21st February

Cast

Crew

The House of Bernarda Alba - by Federico Garcia Lorca

31st March - 4th April

directed by Anne Mekitarian

Andalucia, 1936. Bernarda Alba has just buried her husband. The tyrannical matriarch declares an eight year period of mourning which bodes ill for her five unmarried daughters. The eldest daughter is quickly betrothed and the youngest begins a clandestine affair – each with the same man! The responses of the sisters range from dispassionate cynicism to raging jealousy. They bicker and tease one another, share confidences and laugh together, albeit with a sharp and bitter note. Sexual tension builds throughout the play and it is only a matter of time before the volcano erupts with devastating consequences.

Federico García Lorca completed his masterpiece just months before he was murdered in the run-up to Franco’s take-over of Spain. The manner in which Bernarda wields power over her household has often been viewed as a metaphor for the rise of fascism, and the tragic end of the play is said to mirror the death and disintegration of Spain itself. Nowadays the play has a contemporary resonance with the current plight of many young Asian women, born and raised in western cities and towns, who are forced, by their families, into arranged marriages and alliances, thereby negating their freedom to choose.

Cast in order of appearance

Crew

Many Young Men of Twenty - by John B Keane

16th - 20th June

directed by Paddy Travers

John B. Keane was one of Ireland’s most prolific literary figures of the 20th century. When he died in May 2002 at the age of 73 he left behind a rich treasure of 46 published works. He was a playwright, poet, novelist, essayist and ballad writer.

John B. possessed a remarkable insight into the psyche of rural Ireland. He attributed this in part to childhood summers spent with relations in the Stacks mountains outside Listowel. Here, amongst the simple, earthy, mountain people the old pagan traditions and piseogs were still a natural part of everyday life. The small pub which he owned in Listowel with his wife Mary also provided him with the natural insights from which he drew inspiration for many of the colourful characters which pepper his plays and novels.

His writing is filled with an abundance of rich characters, humour, romance and tragedy. For many people in the harsh days of the 1950s it came as a revelation that their lives, their concerns and their emotions could be the stuff of literature. And for that above all, the plain people of Ireland loved and admired John B. Keane.

Cast (in order of appearance)

Crew

"An Evening of One-Act Plays"   Wed 23rd - Sat 26th September

I Can't Remember Anything by Arthur Miller and directed by Wilma O'Keeffe is a whimsical little piece full of wry humour set in New England. It gives us an insight into the long-standing friendship between the middle-aged widow Leonara and her late husband's best friend, Leo.

Staring: Anne Mekitarian & Conal Boyce

One Night Stand Off by Martin Lindsay, directed by Sandra O'Rourke Glenn is a comedy about singles and social graces after a night that went so right goes so wrong the next morning. This comedy revolves around two characters, Rachel and Greg, who after a night on the town wake up together, much to the surprise of both. An awkward situation at the best of times, made all the more awkward as details of the previous night slowly filter back to them.

Staring: Aoife Breslin, Alistair Conway, Liam McManus & Sandra O'Rourke-Glynn

Bar and Ger, by Geraldine Aron, directed by David Cullinane and Paul O'Brien. This widely acclaimed tragicomedy tells the simple tale of the body that develops between a brother and sister against the backdrop of domestic unrest. Through intensely dramatic snapshots, ranging from the pognant to the hilarious, we follow Barry and Geraldine on their path to adulthood, all the time recognising in their antics and altercations shades of our own past.

Staring: Ciara Doolan & Conor Sweeney

"The Last Quartet "   Tue 20th - Sat 24th October

In the final months of his life, while staying with his brother, Beethoven wrote one last quartet for posterity - a string quartet in F major, Opus 135. This haunting piece of music opens this brand new play by Naas writer and Moat Club member Paul Sheehan. Based on the real events of Beethoven's life, the play adapts his story as we encounter his friends, family members and the wonderful music that shaped his sad but great life.

Beethoven, an insular man unable to communicate verbally with others, had by the end of his life to suffer the ultimate isolation of being profoundly deaf. His music, which had often served as a means of communicating with others, was by then something he himself could no longer hear.

Puss in Boots - Now Fully SOLD OUT - cancellations only

A Pantomime written and directed by Frank Kirke

December 3rd - 12th 2009

The old miller is dying - but after all he is 109! His sons are gathered around him as he makes out his final will and testament to divide what he has between them. But it's not just the threat of death that hang over the family there's the giant living in the nearby castle and worse than that the property repossession team from the bank! What will become of the three sons? Especially the youngest when all he is left is a cat!?

But this is no ordinary cat this is the original Chat de Paris - Puss in Boots - but can he really turn around the fortunes of his master?
And who is the mysterious Count de Carrabas?

The Moat Club invite you to join them for all the fun and frolics of the original Naas Pantomime. Staring many familiar faces, this years panto is destined to clear away any recession blues and have you leaving with a festive cheer! Fun for all the family and featuring many well-known faces from the Moat Club such as Padraig and Michael Broe, Pat Callaghan and Anne Delaney to name but a few.

So get your boots on! Tickets at €15 are now on sale for the Moat Club's Puss in Boots. A great way to kick off Christmas for a fraction of the cost of the Gaiety or Olympia pantomimes! Booking from the Moat Theatre Box Office, online at www.moattheater.com or on Tel: 045 883030

Photos from the Moat Club Pantomime 2009 - Puss in Boots

An Evening of Song & Music with a Christmas Flair

The final event on the 2009 Moat Club programme is the annual concert of music and song with a Christmas flair, The Moat Theatre Wednesday 16th December at 8.00pm

All your Christmas favourites And many many more classics

They will be joined by Tenor, Ciaran O'Leary, Soprano, Norah King Also County Kildare Orchestra With special guests from the Moat Club

Ticket are on sale from The Moat Theatre
www.moattheatre.com
Or at the Box Office
045 88 30 30

Tickets €25

This concert will really kick start your Christmas, and if the music is not enough Mulled wine and mince pies will be served at 7.30pm