Dunari Drama Group staging 'The Year of the Hiker'

By Sean McMahon

The people of Kingscourt and surrounding areas are in for a treat this weekend when the Dunari Drama Group stage a John B. Keane's 'The Year of the Hiker' this Saturday and Sunday night [May 226 & 27].

The three act play is directed by the one and only Tommy McArdle and will be staged in the Matt Talbot Hall, Kingscourt at 8.30pm both nights. The cast have been going through their paces since November and this will be their fourth production.

The Hiker is played by Jim McGovern and his wife Kate is played by Bernie McArdle. The sister-in-law Freda is being played by Mary Lennon and the role of the daughter Mary has been assigned to Tina McCaul.

The roles of the two sons, Joe and Simey are filled by Patsy Sheridan and Jack O'Reilly respectively. Mary's husband is Dr William Dolly in the drama and is played by Pete Rooney. Jack O'Reilly and Pete Rooney are both making their debut on stage.

The plot evolves around the Hiker going off and leaving his wife and family for all of twenty five years to wander the world.

He now returns in ill health and wants to reconcile with his family on the day of his daughters wedding. There is comedy in the play but is is also filled with deep emotions that are stretched to their limits.

The group are sure to build on the wonderful success they had with their last production, a comedy written by Ann Marie Bannon and called 'Crisis at the Clinic'.

The Year of the Hiker' this Saturday and Sunday will be staged in the Matt Talbot Hall, Kingscourt at 8.30pm both nights.