Laughs a minute with rural radio comedy

Laughs a minute with rural radio comedy

8 February 2017

ONE of Northern Ireland’s best-loved plays is coming to Down Arts Centre next month. ‘Ardnaglass on the Air’ is a slapstick comedy focusing on rural community radio broadcasts set in the fictional Ardnaglass.

The themes of love, loneliness and the peculiarities of rural life are explored by County Antrim playwright Jimmy Kerr, who has had his work reworked for 2017 by c21 theatre company.

His story focuses on how life on the air can be tough and things aren’t always what they seem.  But things look like they are about to change for presenters Hugh Francis O’Connell and Margaret Mary Rose as a high powered BBC executive is due to visit and this could this be their chance to be discovered. 

The production, directed by c21 Theatre Company’s co-founder, Stephen Kelly, with Tom Finlay producing, stars real life couple, actors Marty Maguire and Jo Donnelly as the love struck presenter and his fame seeking, day dreaming co-presenter.

Stephen said he was delighted to be showcasing ‘Ardnaglass on the Air’ at venues around Northern Ireland as part of a two-week tour, which follows on from five nights at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast. 

“The dialogue between Hugh Francis and Margaret Mary Rose is witty and quick as they hold the fort at the community radio station and muse on the goings on of the village,” he said.

“The play will resonate with the audience in that most of us will know a similar character to Hugh and Margaret or at least one or two of their characteristics. It promises to be a cheerful, 

surprising and touching show.”

Award-winning playwright Jimmy Kerr, who presented ‘Ardnaglass on the Air’ in 2010 as part of the annual first Irish Festival held in New York, said he had reworked the play in preparation for this new production.  

Jimmy said: “I have had great fun reworking my original play ahead of c21 Theatre Company’s production and revisiting the characters of Hugh Francis O’Connell and Margaret Mary Rose.   

“The original play came about when I was asked to write a radio-play for Hamm and Clov Stage Company. I didn’t know what a radio-play was since I’d never heard one, so I wrote a play about a radio show. 

 “Luckily it was well received and we have gone on to perform it in various theatres and countries over the past 10 years. It’s as much fun for the cast as it is for the audience and we love doing the play so I’m looking forward to our tour around all of Northern Ireland.”

The production is funded by the National Lottery through the Arts Council for Northern Ireland.   Performances take place between February 14 to 18 at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast followed by nine shows in venues throughout Northern Ireland, including Down Arts Centre on March 4.