It began with a tiny meeting in a room of the Bon Bon Restaurant in Athlone’s Church Street in 1936. Few could have imagined back then that the decision of a single Army officer would see, 75 years later, the longest surviving amateur drama group in Ireland setting its sights fearlessly on another 75 years.
That meeting, called by the group’s very first producer, Captain Michael Cosgrove of the Army Signal Corps, led to the then Athlone Players producing a staggering four plays that year, a hectic pace the group continues to maintain today.
Its history has seen the life of Athlone enhanced by such seminal figures as Aileen Coughlan, Eddie O’Shea, Colm Kelly, Charles Byrne, Alfie Faulkner, Marie Lyster, and Edward Farrell.
From its inception, Athlone Little Theatre has been about creating memorable experiences, offering a platform to people with genuine talent and giving its audiences memories that will be treasured for years.
Part of those unique memories will be celebrated in the coming weeks and months as the Little Theatre takes a look back at 75 incident filled years.
Athlone Town Council very kindly marks the immense contribution of the theatre to the life of the town with a civic reception on Tuesday February 1. On that occasion, the chairman of the theatre, Billy Nott, and its present members will accept the accolades of the town’s ruling body on behalf of all those who have gone before.
There’s a chance to meet up with former members, renew old acquaintances, and swap reminiscences at what promises to be a most memorable event in the Sheraton Hotel on Saturday February 5. This gala ball hosted by Athlone Little Theatre will feature presentations on memorable episodes in the history of the group. The service of some very special members of the group will also be formally recognised.
Each of these people has completed 50 years plus as a member of the Little Theatre. They include the group’s president, Mel O’Flynn, winner of the Best Actress Award at the 1960 All Ireland Drama Festival; Therese Byrne, noted actress and producer; and actors of immense talent, such as the legendary Paul Cushnan.
But it is most fitting that the anniversary is marked on the stage where it’s all happened since the construction of the Little Theatre building in 1965. To that end, the Little Theatre invites its supporters to take a walk back through time with a most unusual production entitled Curtain Calls.
As part of this event, six separate directors and casts will be presenting highlights from previous golden ages of Athlone Little Theatre, with excerpts performed from six of the group’s most successful and memorable productions. This represents a huge logistical challenge, but promises to offer local audiences a most unforgettable night.
Today, as in 1936, the Little Theatre continues to serve as an outlet for talented people of all ages, bitten by the bug of live performance. It continues to produce plays to a standard which is admired and envied by other groups. It boasts actors and directors of singular talent and in recent years has served as an outlet for new and emerging playwrights.
At the end of February, the group undertakes a very ambitious new venture in the shape of one of the first ever amateur productions of Conor McPherson’s groundbreaking new play, The Seafarer. This production by Paddy Martin is deep into rehearsals at the moment and local audiences are promised an experience that is both chilling and hilarious.
Here’s to 75 more years of craic and growing.
