Skerries Theatre Group Newsletter
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WELCOME TO tHE SKERRIES THEATRE GROUP WEBSite
Productions for our coming season are posted on what’s on - 2026/2027 season page
auditions!!!! auditions!!!! auditions!!!!
For an original play, in the DLI/adci One-Act Festival Circuit. (October and November).
Lingering
by Cameron Armstrong
Two sisters reunite in their childhood home to clear out their mother's belongings while she remains in a nursing home.
As they sort through a lifetime of memories, long-buried resentments and painful family secrets emerge, forcing them to confront questions of duty, loyalty, inheritance, and the emotional toll of caring for an ageing parent.
A compelling drama about family, love, loss and the ties that bind us.
Auditions for the two female roles (aged 40s and 50s) will take place in Room 7, The Little Theatre (Old School), the Community Centre on:
Thursday 9th July from 7pm until 9pm.
Tuesday 14th July from 7.30pm until 9pm
Scripts available by emailing camjamarm@gmail.com
auditions!!!! auditions!!!! auditions!!!!
And then there was Gulliver
a new musical
by Gerry Mullins
directed by Lisa Buckley.
Show dates: Thursday 26th November 2026 in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin – 8pm
Saturday 28th November in The Lark, Balbriggan – 7.30pm
Audition date and time: Monday 13th July at 7.30pm
Venue: Upstairs in Joe May’s Bar, Harbour Road, Skerries.
Rehearsal calendar: Dates to be confirmed. Starting in early September, two nights per week, in Skerries.
Technical week: Sunday 22th November to Wednesday 25th November 2026 (mandatory attendance, including rehearsals in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral).
Any queries : Email lisa_buckley@hotmail.com if you want to see scenes in advance – but we will have print outs at the audition also. If you are interested but can’t make the audition, please contact Lisa as above.
Audition requirements
For those looking to audition for the part of Mother, we would like you to prepare a verse and chorus of a song. For other parts you should be comfortable singing as part of a chorus.
No prepared monologue is required.
Please note: All roles in this amateur production are unpaid, but we promise a fun, creative, and highly rewarding community experience!
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Synopsis
And then there was Gulliver is a stage musical covering real events in the life of the writer Jonathan Swift that led to the publication of his masterpiece Gulliver’s Travels in 1726.
The show reflects his time of prominence as a press advisor in London (1711-1714) to Robert Harley’s government; his ‘banishment’ to Dublin as Dean in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin (1713); his A Modest Proposal satire that called for the eating of Irish children; his gradual acceptance of political work in Dublin including the campaign against the Wood’s Half-pence (1724-5); his tragic love triangle with Stella and Vanessa; and eventually Gulliver.
This production marks the 300th anniversary of the publication of Gulliver’s Travels, and will be premiered in the Cathedral where Swift was Dean for over three decades.
And then there was Gulliver! encompasses Gerry Mullins’ earlier musical called Jonathan Swift, Savage Indignation. You can watch productions of this show by searching for it on YouTube. You can also read about this production on several media, by googling Jonathan Swift, Savage Indignation.
Characters
We are casting for three male actors and two female actors. Because each actor will be required to play several roles, their age or physical attributes are not important.
We are also looking for one male and one female actor who will appear on stage without speaking lines, to fill up crowd scenes, and join chorus singing.
Each actor will be required to sing in a chorus, so it would be useful to be able to ‘hold a tune’. Actor 4 below (WAITRESS/DUCHESS/MOTHER) will have one song to sing solo.
We are casting for the following roles.
Actor 1
First Role PARTRIDGE
Second Role MARLBOROUGH
Third Role CHORUS in A Modest Proposal
Fourth Role DUBLINER in Hey Presto!
Fifth Role POPE
Sixth Role CHORUS in Swift’s finale
Actor 2
First Role ROMNEY
Second Role ROBERT
Third Role CHORUS in A Modest Proposal
Forth Role REPORTER in Hey Presto!
Fifth Role MOTTE
Sixth Role CHORUS in Swift’s finale
Actor 3
First Role BETTESWORTH
Second Role HARLEY
Third Role CHORUS in A Modest Proposal
Fourth Role DUBLINER in Hey Presto!
Fifth Role OFFICIAL
Sixth Role CHORUS in Swift’s finale
Actor 4
First Role WAITRESS
Second Role DUCHESS
Third Role MOTHER
Fourth Role CHORUS in A Modest Proposal
Fifth Role DUBLINER in Hey Presto!
Sixth Role CHORUS in Swift’s finale
Actor 5
First Role QUEEN
Second Role SERVANT for Vanessa
Third Role CHORUS in A Modest Proposal
Fourth Role DUBLINER in Hey Presto!
Fifth Role
Sixth Role CHORUS in Swift’s finale
Name WAITRESS
Position Waitress in London coffee house
Notes Fictitious female character. Probably English accent, but not necessarily..
Name PARTRIDGE, ROMNEY and BETTESWORTH
Position Upper-class, Irish/English males
Notes Real-life male characters. Ages and other details unimportant. Very upper-class accents and mannerisms.
Name Robert HARLEY
Position Prime Minister of England 1661-1724
Notes Able and pragmatic politician who was later imprisoned for associating with the enemy (the French). Aged 50s during the timeframe of the show.
Name MOTHER
Position Swift’s mother, Abigail 1640–1710
Notes Born in Dublin but lived mostly in Leicester, so English accent. Gave birth to Swift under mysterious circumstances in Dublin. Then had her child stolen, or given away, for three years. Saw Swift seldom during his childhood but became friends in later life. In real life, died before drama took place. Aged in her 70s during the timeframe of the show.
Name QUEEN Anne
Position Queen of Great Britain 1665 – 1714
Notes Suffered poor health for much of her life. She was pregnant at least 17 times, but no child survived beyond the age of 11. She suffered from gout, which made walking difficult. As a devout Christian she was offended by Swift’s Tale of a Tub. Hence, she wouldn’t appoint him as a bishop. Aged in her 40s during the timeframe of the show.
Name DUCHESS of Marlborough
Position Sarah Churchill, wife of Duke of Marlborough 1660–1744
Notes Enjoyed enormous influence as courtier to Queen Anne. Through her husband and shrewd investments, became one of the richest women in Europe.
Name Duke of MARLBOROUGH
Position John Churchill, General of the British Army (1650-1722)
Notes The greatest military of his time – defeated the French on several occasions between 1701-1714. Hi military career and gifts from Queen Anne made him one of the richest men in Europe. (Note for accent purposes: he was an ancestor of Winston Churchill.)
Name ROBERT
Young Irish male
Position working as servant to Swift.
Notes Real-life male character. Details unimportant. Irish accent.
Name REPORTER
Position TV reporter in Modest Proposal
Notes Fictitious character. Details including gender unimportant.
Name OFFICIAL
Position British security person (police) after Modest Proposal
Notes Real male character, but details unimportant.
Name SERVANT
Position Servant to Vanessa
Notes Real character, but details including gender unimportant.
Name Alexander POPE
Position Successful English poet 1688-1744
Notes One of Swift’s best friends. Childhood illnesses left him short (less than 5 feet tall) and hunchbacked. Aged late 30s during the timeframe of the show.
Name Benjamin MOTTE
Position London publisher 1693–1738
Notes Got rich as publisher of Gulliver's Travels.
Skerries Theatre Group is taking to the airwaves !!!!!!!!
with a series of classic Irish science fiction short stories, to be recorded and released as a podcast this summer.
The stories are now fully cast.
All three stories are now recorded.
The three stories:
The Diamond Lens, written in 1858, is a story about a young man who is fascinated by the world he sees in his microscopes, but who allows that fascination develop into an obsession. This story was recorded 14th June and is now with the sound engineers for editing.
Director: Marie Kelly
The Professor’s Experiment, from 1895, is about a scientist from Trinity College who has developed a treatment that could allow us all to hide from pain, be it physical or emotional. But on whom can he test it? This story was recorded 21st June and is now with the sound engineers for editing.
Director: Clare Fox
Lady Clanbevan’s Baby, from 1915, considers the lengths to which somebody might go to retain their youthful good looks. And the price that they – and others – may have to pay. This story was recorded 21st June and is now with the sound engineers for editing.
Director: Mary Shannon
These stories are adapted from A Brilliant Void, published by Tramp Press.
skerries theatre group
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Recent Productions
What the audiences are saying about the production……..
“To anyone who hasn't seen the Skerries Theatre Group production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane yet you should get tickets fast. It is absolutely brilliant. In turns it is laugh outloud funny, shocking, captivating, watch through your fingers, utterly believable and the acting is faultless. It is gripping from start to finish.
“Shout out to Dympna McNally, Sarah Byrne, Conor Chatten and Tom Duffy - loved the Galway accents”
“We were at the opening show this evening. It was amazing, the performances were so intense and professional, well done to all involved.”
“That was seriously outstanding! Well done , all beyond professional in our Little Theatre!”
“What a stormer!! Absolutely fantastic - all 4 actors seriously talented, the interaction between them astounding - they all clearly got each other. The hard work, commitment & dedication that was put into this play is clearly evident. Huge congratulations to everyone, wouldn't have missed it for the world”
“We were down last night. We really enjoyed the show. Well done, brilliant acting, and really high production values . It all worked to give a great night of theatre.”
“I'm still blown away by that play. That's the best acting I’ve seen for a long time.”
“ Wow!! Skerries Theatre Group’s production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane is a must see for sure. A black comedy which delves deeply into our frail emotions and humanity. The four characters are carefully sculpted and brought vividly to life be four very gifted actors. This play has so many layers and jaw dropping moments, and has stayed with me for days. Well done to everyone involved. Amazing”
“An Entertaining mix of Humour and Pathos…. Wonderfully acted.… Excellently produced and Directed.…. Lifelike staging.... Overall An Entertaining production from start to finish.”
“We really enjoyed it. You were all fantastic. I’ve seen all of Martin McDonaghs plays and you could have been in the Gaiety charging big money and I would have enjoyed it just as much. Well done to you all !!”
THE RESULTS
Open
1. Compántas Lir - My Narrator
2. Coolgreany Drama - End of Age Day
3. RosemaryDrama Group - Excellently Bright
Confined
1. Gorey Little Theatre Group - Gum and Goo
2. Hoodwink Theatre Productions - Wilding
3. Wayside Players Drama Group - The Quiet Land
Best Director - Craig Bodger - Gum and Goo - Gorey Little Theatre Group
Best Actor - Senan Lillis - The Quiet Land - Wayside Players Drama Group
Best Supporting Actor - Oisín Hourican - Wilding - Hoodwink Theatre Productions
Best Actress - Kathyann Murphy - Gum and Goo - Gorey Little Theatre Group
Best Supporting Actress - Ruth O’Driscoll - My Narrator - Compántas Lir
Best Staged Play - Wilding - Hoodwink Theatre Productions
Best Costumed Play - Two Sisters - Theatre 3 Newtownabbey
Adjudicator’s Award - Ian McDonald - Rosemary Drama Group
Stg’s play for the one-act festival circuit 2025
gods are Fallen and all safety gone
by Selma Dimitrijevic
CAST AND CREW
MOTHER SUZANNE HEALY
DAUGHTER CIARA LEONARD
DIRECTOR ERIC BOYLE
PRODUCER MARY SHANNON
STAGE MANAGER & COSTUMES MARTINE HEALY
LIGHTING RICHARD NORMAN-WRIGHT
SOUND & VOICE-OVER RONALD JONES
FESTIVAL VENUES
GORESBRIDGE 24TH 0CTOBER - 3rd - CIARA Nominated for Best Actress
WEST WATERFORD 25TH OCTOBER - 2nd
MULLAGH 6TH NOVEMBER
CAVAN 8TH NOVEMBER
SKERRIES 20TH NOVEMBER
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WYRD SISTERS
by terry pratchett adapted by stephen briggs
Same old moon
by Geraldine Aron
Love, loss and what i wore
by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron
The skerries 36th One-act drama festival
The Results
Open
1. Rosemary Drama Group - Elegy for Georgie
2. Theatre 3 Newtownabbey - Perchance to Dream
3. Down at Heel Productions - They Also Serve
Confined
1. Clann Machua Drama - Baby Steps
2. Borrisokane Players - Isn't the Water Lovely Today
3. Cilleo Yew Tree Players - Dead Man's Bells
Best Director - Claire Joyce - They Also Serve - Down At Heel Productions
Best Actor - Jordan Baker - Elegy for Georgie - Rosemary Drama Group
Best Supporting Actor - Harry Montgomery - Perchance to Dream - Theatre 3 Newtownabbey
Best Actress - Margaret Farrell - The Donahue Sisters - Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group
Best Supporting Actress - Dorothy Wiley - Perchance to Dream - Theatre 3 Newtownabbey
Best Staged Play - They Also Serve - Down at Heel Productions
Best Costumed Play - Perchance to Dream - Theatre 3 Newtownabbey
Adjudicator’s Award - Enniscorthy Theatre Group
Agnes of God - october 2024
ART – April 2024
Cast and Crew with Director Marie Kelly
private lives – february/march 2024
Don’t Dress For Dinner – December 2023
35th Skerries One-Act Drama Festival – november 2023
The Results are In……….
Winners Open
1st: Prosperous Dramatic Society
2nd: Kilrush Drama Group
3rd: Butt Drama Circle
Winners Confined
1st: New Ross Drama Workshop
2nd: Carlow Little Theatre Society
3rd: Skerries Theatre Group
Best Director: Prosperous Dramatic Society Daniel Clarke
Best Actor: Edward Hayden New Ross Drama Workshop
Best Supporting Actor: Maurice Ruth Kilrush Drama Group
Best Actress: Brid Maloney New Ross Drama Workshop
Best Supporting Actress: Cyrena Hayes Prosperous Dramatic Society
Best-Staged Play: Carlow Little Theatre
Best-Costumed Play: Carlow Little Theatre
Adjudicators Award: Production design for Butt Drama Circle
skerries short cuts – april 2023
The Knot of the Heart – February 2023
LOVE LETTERS – NOVEMBER 2022
84 Charing Cross Road – October 2022
A Streetcar Named Desire – May 2022
The Salvage Shop - March 2022
Absent Friends - February 2020
34TH SKERRIES ONE-ACT DRAMA FESTIVAL nov. 2019
RESULTS - 34TH. SKERRIES ONE-ACT DRAMA FESTIVAL 2019
7TH - 8TH - 9TH NOVEMBER 2019
Open Category
1st. Palace Players - From Under the Bed
2nd. Bray Arts Drama Group - Kind of Alaska
3rd. Balally Players - Waiting for You
Confined Category
1st. Model Box Productions - Two Sisters
2nd. Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society - Mr. Foot
3rd. Navan Theatre Group - Bull
Best Director Aisling Uí Laoire Balally Players
Best Actor Oran O’Rua Balally Players
Best Supporting Actor Martin Davidson - Bray Arts Drama Group
Best Actress Kathy Gallagher - Model Box Productions
Best Supporting Actress Katy Leech - Navan Theatre Group
Best Staged Play From Under the Bed - Palace Players
Best Costumed Play From Under the Bed - Palace Players
Adjudicator’s Award Fiona Keane - Bray Arts Drama Group
Moonglow - November 2019
Cornermen - April 2019
A View from the bridge - february 2019
33rd Skerries One-act drama festival - november 2018
RESULTS OF 33RD SKERRIES ONE-ACT DRAMA FESTIVAL 2018
1ST - 2ND - 3RD NOVEMBER 2018
Results
Winner Open: Palace Players - Where is this Malabar
2nd Open: Balally Players - The Flattering Word
3rd Open: Bridgewater Theatre Group - After Renvyle
Winner Confined: New Ross Drama - Spectre
2nd Confined: Model Box - A Frank Exchange
3rd Confined: Martello Productions - Notes on Falling Leaves
Best Actor: Dermot Vickers - Model Box - A Frank Exchange
Best Supporting Actor: Danny Buckley - Palace Players - Where is this Malabar
Best Actress: Doris Cullen. Baldly Players - The Flattering Word
Best Supporting Actress: Mary Flavin Colbert - Palace Players - Where is this Malabar
Best Costumed Play: The Flattering Word - Balally Players
Best Staged Play: Where is this Malabar - Palace Players
Best Director: Liam Howard - Palace Players - Where is this Malabar
Adjudicator’s Award..Deirdre Malone for acting in Notes on Falling Leaves - Martello Productions.
