Clonmel Theatre Guild is buzzing with excitement as final preparations are being made for their upcoming dinner theatre production of Karen Doling’s hilarious who dunnit “Murder at Mole End”. The cast are busy rehearsing under the watchful eye and skilful guidance of director Carolanne Mullooly, while the behind the scenes crew are hard at work designing, building & decorating the set, sourcing props and costumes, promoting the event and doing all that is necessary to make this a memorable night out for audiences to enjoy.
Murder at Mole End is set in the library of a country house and centres around two couples, John & Janet Jackson and Terry & June May, who attend a Murder Mystery Weekend, only to discover that they all have links to the main actor in the piece. Before too long, he has been murdered for real and the race is on to solve the murder themselves and avoid jail! It will be staged in Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel from 16th to 19th November 2016.
Of course preparations for this play started way back in August when artistic director Edmond Ryan confirmed that Carolanne Mullooly had agreed to direct the guild’s next production. Carolanne makes her debut as a director with this production and the guild is absolutely delighted that a young new member decided to take up the challenge to direct. Always willing to encourage members to learn and attain new skills, the guild sent Carolanne to Dublin to a director’s workshop to hone her skills.
Carolanne Mullooly is native of Clonmel and is no stranger to the stage and performing arts. Carolanne first tread the boards with Strange Snow Theatre Clonmel as the lead role of King Creon in Antigone at the tender age of 17. In 2015 Carolanne stage managed the Open House Players production of Sive. It was only a short time later in February 2016 when Carolanne was managing the stage again for Clonmel Theatre Guild’s production of The Communication Cord. Carolanne is an experienced English and History teacher and is currently working in Scoil Mhuire Carrick on Suir. She follows in the footsteps of her mum Carol Acheson, who is a well known and much loved member of Clonmel Theatre Guild having performed in many guild productions over the years and is indeed a member of the cast in this play. When asked Carolanne said “the thing she enjoys most about directing is meeting the new cast members and creating something together in a mutually respectful environment where everyone wants to make the show a success.”
Once the director was onboard auditions or readings were held in early September out of which a wonderful strong cast was picked. The cast is a mix of new and familiar faces with guild members Carol Acheson, Tom Callery, Jim Malone, Edmond Ryan and Michael Hennessy joined by two new actors Karen Walsh and Hugh Hennessy, who take to the stage for the first time with the guild. Karen Walsh decided to return to the stage on coming back to live in her native town of Clonmel. She said she wanted to get involved with a local community group in a way that is fun, would introduce her to new people and new experiences. Hugh Hennessy comes from Thurles and decided to join the guild after attending one of their drama workshops earlier this year. He said “rehearsals are going amazingly well; I am enjoying the ‘craic’ with the other cast members. As a newcomer to the Clonmel area, it’s a great way to meet new people from all walks of life while developing my acting skills.”
Behind the scenes producer Adrienne Small is joined by some new comers too. Kim Morrison takes on the role of stage manager, assisted by Patricia Keane, while Natasha Downey will be looking after sound & lighting. It is a testament to the strength and popularity of Clonmel Theatre Guild that almost 50 years on from its inception people are still attracted to being a part of it.
Everything humanly possible has been done to ensure audiences have a wonderful night of fun and enjoyment. The food in Raheen House Hotel is always top class and the play is very entertaining. So if you fancy yourself as an amateur detective and want to beat the detective (in the play) to it in figuring out who dunnit or if you simply want a Christmas night out that is a little different, then a ticket for this play is a must. Tickets are currently on sale in Marian’s Bookshop (052) 6123813 and online at www.clonmeltheatreguild.org, cost €30 for dinner and show. A donation from the raffle will be made to The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s La Cairde Day Care Centre, Clonmel.
If you would like to join the guild in get involved in any capacity on this production you can contact us by email info@clonmeltheatreguild.org or message us on our facebook page. New members are always welcome.
Clonmel Theatre Guild’s dinner theatre is always a marvellous night out so be sure to book your tickets early. We look forward to seeing you there.
