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Factory Girls return home to
Buncrana
14.02.11
by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent
ALMOST 30 years after penning his inaugural drama,
'Factory Girls', celebrated playwright Frank
McGuinness is coming home to watch the first ever
all-Buncrana version of his acclaimed play.
First staged at Dublin’s legendary Abbey Theatre in
1982, the 2011 version of Factory Girls will be
brought to life by local award-winning theatre
company, Greasepaint Productions.
Director Donall Henderson had the inside his track;
his mother Marie is a cousin of Frank McGuinness.
“I consulted with Frank first to make sure that the
play would be as authentic as possible. We have
decided to go with the original script while putting
our own slant on it,” he said.
A self-confessed ‘huge fan’ of McGuinness’ work,
Donal, aged 8, saw one of the first productions of
Factory Girls at Derry’s Guildhall in 1982. He is
proud to direct the first all-Buncrana version of
the hit play to be staged in the Inishowen town. |
“I am delighted to be
involved in the project and it is an absolute honour
to direct the play in Frank McGuinness’ hometown of
Buncrana,” Donall said.
“Frank has been an inspiration to many people and
his success demonstrates that people with artistic
ability and creative flair are well respected in
Irish society. This has also been recognised in his
recent honour by Buncrana Town Council as a freeman
of Buncrana and we, as a group wanted to acknowledge
his contribution to the development of theatre and
the arts. We are also very excited that this will be
our first touring production with performances
planned for The Playhouse Derry, An Grianan
Letterkenny and Belfast,” he added. |
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A scene from Greasepaint Productions'
upcoming 'Factory Girls' written by Buncrana
playwright, Frank McGuinness. |
The main focus of
McGuinness’ drama centres around the livelihood of
five women in a local shirt factory, threatened by a
recession. With rapier sharp wit and huge heart, the
women pull together as one and take on the might of
big business.
With rehearsals going well, Donall, assisted by Emma
Porter, said the current cast is well placed to
deliver some memorable performances.
“Everyone in the cast has some connection to factory
life so the play is highly appropriate for us to do.
My mother and grandmother worked in McCarter’s and
Fruit of the Loom as did many of the cast members,”
he said.
Factory Girls will run in St Mary’s Hall, Buncrana
from Saturday 2nd – Thursday 7th April. All seats
priced at €10. Booking office will open from
Wednesday 30th March 2011. |
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