A Night of Comedy at Stirling Theatre

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Posted 2024-01-10 by groover ⇒ follow

Thu 08 Feb 2024 - Sat 17 Feb 2024

Time runs out for Darry {Peter O’Connor} in The End of the Beginning.

Get ready to laugh with three short plays – presented under the banner of “A Night of Comedy” – at Stirling Theatre in February.

Cally Zanik, left, Janet Weston, Sarah McDonald, Penelope Duff, David Young and Carolena Shaw in The Surprise Party.

Written and directed by Peter Flanigan, The Surprise Party features six family members who span four generations, all living in the same house. The younger members plan a surprise party for Ray’s 90th birthday, despite the fact he doesn’t want a party.

Marge {Janet Weston, centre} tries to stop a tug-of-war between her grandchildren Hailee {Penelope Duff, left} and Ella {Sarah McDonald} in The Surprise Party.

More than one surprise crops up, including a COVID scare and a faulty home generator causing problems, as the story unfolds. “My daughter Liz Flanigan is co-directing the show and my granddaughter Cassie Pemberton is stage manager and has a small role, so it’s a family affair on-stage and off,” Peter said.

Andrew {Peter O’Connor, left} finds the regulars Paddy {Carl Flynn}, Jack {Declan Byrne} and Joe {Joe Purcell} get easily worked up in The Local.

The Local, written and directed by Siobhan Wright, is a black comedy set in a small Dublin pub full of regulars who drink there every night. One night, a stranger enters and the regulars discover he has more in common with them than they realise.

Joe {Joe Purcell, left} and Paddy {Carl Flynn} come to blows in The Local.

“The idea came from watching how some people behave when they think their life will never change and that they can behave any way they want with no consequences,” Siobhan said. “The Local won a 2020 Busselton Margaret River Script Writers Award but COVID caused the performance to be cancelled, so this is the first time the show is being staged.”

Jack {Declan Byrne, left} feigns interest in Joe {Joe Purcell} and his newspaper in The Local.

The award judges noted: “This script has great entertainment value but also a prompt to deeper contemplation of the journey of life and its ironies. Touching on contemporary issues of domestic violence, family, bereavement and change, as well as education and the Christian Brothers, it also seeks to probe behind the facades of relationships and migration. The humour and comedic portrayal of the Irish pub scene is authentic.”

The End of the Beginning features Peter O’Connor, left, and Russell Chandler as bumbling Irish farmhands Darry and Barry.

Written by Seán O'Casey, The End of the Beginning is directed by Joe Teakle and looks at the lives of two bumbling Irish farmhands who try to complete housework – with various degrees of difficulty. “Ever since I was young I have always wanted to be a director of film and theatre productions, so this was a role I was not going to refuse,” Joe said. “When I was offered the script and the chance to direct it, I jumped at the opportunity.

Darry {Peter O’Connor, left} and Barry {Russell Chandler} are forced by Darry’s wife Lizzie {Josephine Wayling, centre} to do housework in The End of the Beginning.

“It has opened my eyes to new types of characters and situations that were mostly present long before my time. I also found the script to be absolutely hysterical and farcical, yet with a deep hidden message and drama that I’m sure will enlighten and perhaps alter the audience’s perception of household duties, and the roles played, with bumbling camaraderie and feuding spouses.”

“A Night of Comedy” plays at 7.30pm February 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17 with a 2pm matinee February 11. Tickets are $22, $20 concession – book at trybooking.com/CKSVU . Stirling Theatre is at 25 Morris Place, Innaloo .