Stage Plays
Cupid Wore Skirts Proves a Hit
By Vincent McHale
8, Mar 2011 - 10:11

Cupid Wore Skirts a Colossal Success

The Parke Arts & Drama Group's production of the Sam Cree 3 Act Comedy proved a massive hit with the public when it enjoyed a sell out four-night run in Parke Community Centre March 3^rd - 6^th.  Over 600 people enjoyed the hilarious performance over the four nights.  The overwhelming response was one of great praise for the work and performance of the entire cast and crew.

Apart from the huge support of local people a number of people from further afield also came along to watch the show among these were members of other established Drama Groups from around the County including St. Patricks Drama Group, Westport, Moygownagh Drama Group and Louisburgh Drama Group, the latter two having previously performed the self same show themselves in the past.  All agreed that the performances were of the highest calibre.

The Director, Vincent McHale, paid tribute to the enormous amount of work and dedication that the cast and crew invested in the project since last September.  He stated "sometimes people don't realise the amount of time the cast and crew devote to the show".  He also thanked everyone who supported the show in anyway including: sponsors, the press, Parke Community Centre Committee and of course the nightly audiences.

Parke Arts & Drama was only established in September 2008 and Cupid Wore Skirts was only the Group's third production.  However the Group has learnt fast and much of that can be attributed to the expert tutelage of Dermot MacMahon who directed the first two productions, he was also on hand in the final stages this time around to provide a critical eye and moral support for first time Directors Vincent McHale & Mary Mahon.  The Group has continued to improve the production value year on year and great credit most go to the Producers Breda Morris and Kate Boyle and Stage Manager Pat Morris.  Great applause must also go to Jack and Donal Boyle on lights and Martin Bolger on sound.    There are numerous others involved throughout the year including Ann Connor (Front of House), Sarah Reilly (Make Up), Nigel Connor (MC) and the team of ushers and ticket sellers.

Of course the show would be nothing without its cast who performed with such energy, precision and confidence each night.  It would be impossible to pick out any individual performance but special mention must go to Trina Healy & Sharon Cameron who made their stage debuts.  The cast, in order of appearance was:

Noel Mahon ..................................................... Grandad Coulter

Trina Healy ....................................................... Daphne Dunlop

Des Gilsenan .................................................... Brian Coulter

Sharon Cameron .............................................. Aunt Harriet (Courtney)

Stephen McDonnell ......................................... Andrew Coulter

Emily Connor ................................................... Ingrid Hanson

Brid Quinn ....................................................... Gladys Gilmore

Joanne Dean ................................................... Isobel Stanfield

Michael Maguire ............................................. Ronnie