www.communityvoice.ie - Art news from Dublin 15

A spot of group therapy

In the unlikely event that they should fail to find anything that takes their fancy at Draíocht, Dublin 15 theatre audiences would do well to check out the listings at the oft-overlooked Venue Theatre in Ratoath for their drama fix. Opened in 2006, and lying in very easy driving distance, the theatre is fast building a reputation for putting on high quality theatrical productions.

One such piece is Bernard Farrell’s comedic “I Do Not Like Thee, Dr Fell,” which is brought to the stage by the Dunshaughlin Players.

The play pokes fun at the whole concept of therapy groups which thrived during the late 1960s and for much of the 1970s. In 'Doctor Fell,' six characters, all with their own hang-ups and neuroses, gather in a locked room for Encounter Therapy that promises to probe their lives. They get more than they bargained for when Joe Fell savagely exposes their real, social and sexual secrets in this send up of American group therapy.

The cast features regulars Kieran Rushe, Grainne Finucane, Darragh Feeney, James Doorley, John O Sullivan, Brenda Cahill and Ettie Philip but is directed by newcomer Tom Byrne.

“We are delighted to have acquired the services of Tom Byrne for our latest production,” said PR Carol Smith. “Tom is a director with huge experience whose most recent work has been with Bradan Players in Leixlip. He recently directed "Come back to the five and dime Jimmy Dean" at Draíocht. Another of his productions – the disturbing “Extremities,” also seen at Draíocht - finished second in the All Ireland One Act finals just before Christmas.”

Formed in 2006, the company is gaining quite a reputation for tackling plays of intrinsic artistic merit. Their last offerings, Lennox Robinson’s “Drama at Inish,” and Harold Pinter’s “Three Plays” received extremely positive reviews and, for a company that has only been going for several years, the levels of production have been very high.

They rehearse twice weekly at 8.30 pm upstairs in the Arch Bar, Dunshaughlin and are always on the look out for new talent, whether it is acting or helping with props and costumes. Prospective thespians are invited to contact Ettie Philip on 01 – 8011662.

Bernard Farrell’s “I do not like thee, Dr. Fell” as performed by the Dunshaughlin Players plays The Venue in Ratoath on Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th of April 2008 at 8pm.

Tickets are €15 / €13.

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