Amateur dramatics in store for theatre group

The curtain will soon be going up on an exciting new chapter in Ballymena’s arts scene.

A new theatre company, entitled the Castle Players, has been formed in the town and preparations are already underway for its first production later this year.

The Castle Players currently has a five-person committee and is now on the lookout for budding talent, not just to tread the boards, but also to work behind the scenes in areas such as set design, costumes, props and make-up.

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Ballymena has a fairly rich history in terms of theatre companies, much of it on the back of the success of our own Liam Neeson,” explains committee member Len Hall, who has considerable acting and production experience with local groups such as the Slemish Players and Alternative Medicine Theatre Company.

“We’ve seen even from pantomimes in the Braid and the old Town Hall, which played to packed audiences, that there is a niche not only for that, but also for comedies and straight acting.

“We’re going to start with a couple of one-act plays and see how it goes from there but it would be fantastic to identify and develop some local talent as time goes on.

The Castle Players will host two comedies - ‘You Never Know Your Luck’ and ‘The Doctor and Mrs McCauley’ - in St Patrick’s Church Hall, Ballymena, on November 15-16. A percentage of the proceeds will go to charity, with further details being announced nearer the time.

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Auditions will take place in the same Castle Street venue on August 14, at 7.30pm.

“We’re looking for people of maybe Lower or Upper Sixth age who are maybe studying drama at school or who perhaps are keen to go on and study drama at university right up to adults who maybe have an interest in drama and theatre,” says Castle Players chairperson Lorraine Clarke.

“Theatre has taken on a bit of added popularity in Northern Ireland in recent years with the opening of the MAC and re-opening of the Lyric theatre in Belfast and we’re trying to tap into that interest in Ballymena.”

On the performance nights in November, Irish stew will be served between the two productions, making it an affordable night out.

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“It will be a good night’s entertainment, at a reasonable price, with dinner provided - that should certainly appeal to Ballymena people!” laughs Len.

* Anyone interested in joining the Castle Players can contact Lorraine on 07449 217349.

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