Cavan talent at heart of bold Kafka staging

A quartet of Cavan’s finest actors are to take to the Corn Mill stage as An Stoirm Chiúin makes its debut with Steven Berkoff’s 'The Metamorphosis'

The newly formed theatre company presents its first production- Franz Kafka’s haunting masterpiece in Carrigallen over two nights, Friday-Saturday, May 22-23 (8pm).

Director Oisín Hourican, who founded An Stoirm Chiúin (The Quiet Storm), believes the play’s themes strike a powerful chord today.

“The Metamorphosis is one of the most profound explorations of alienation and family breakdown ever written,” he said. “Berkoff’s adaptation takes it to another level, using the language of the body to create a truly intense theatrical experience.”

Paddy Sheanon (Bailieborough) plays the tyrannical Mr Samsa. A veteran of the Irish drama circuit with a career spanning decades, Sheanon is a longtime member of the Bailieborough and Millrace Drama Groups and won the 2024 All-Ireland One-Act title with Dying Minutes.

Bailieborough actor and director Conor P Sheridan takes on the dual roles of the Chief Clerk and the first Lodger. Sheridan is a towering figure on the Cavan theatre scene having directed Smile Handsome to third place at the All-Ireland One-Act Finals, earning Best Director at the Cavan Drama Festival, and co-directing The Shape to the national finals. He later guided Bailieborough Drama Group to another All-Ireland podium finish with Sacred Hearts Right Hand Man, and Henhouse to the All-Ireland One-Act Confined title. As an actor, he is remembered for his role as 'Horse' in The Night Joe Dolan’s Car Broke Down, and Jap in Kings of the Kilburn High Road, for which he earned Best Actor at the three-act All-Irelands. He also serves on the board of Livin’ Dred.

Joining them on stage from Cavan Town is Sarah McGearty, who plays the third Lodger. McGearty trained at ATU Sligo, earning her BA in Performing Arts (Acting), before honing her craft at the world-renowned École Jacques Lecoq in Paris.

Her stage credits include Les Précieuses ridicules, La Ronde, Eden and An Ideal Husband.

Also representing Cavan roots is Taragh Donohoe from Ballyconnell, a multiple award-winning actor and director who has been a mainstay of the Corn Mill Theatre for years. Her acting credits include Philadelphia Here I Come!, Waiting for Godot, Widows’ Paradise and The Cheque’s in the Post. She appeared in the award-winning On Broken Wings. As a director, she has brought According to Rumour, Melody and Humpty Dumpty: The Fall to the stage, along with Entangled and By Megan’s Grave for The Moogles. Donohoe plays the Samsa family’s mother.

The cast is completed by Connor Sheridan (Moyne, Longford) as Gregor Samsa, Michèle Ciba (Longford Town)- a promising actor and playwright with Backstage Theatre Group- who plays Greta; and Sinead Conefrey (Fenagh, Leitrim), a regular with Fenagh Drama Group, who plays a Lodger.