Scandal, love and a cursed farm- 'That Woman At Rathard' comes to the Playhouse

Under the wing of the Centre Stage Theatre Company, 'That Woman At Rathard', is the tale of a farm near the shores of Strangford Lough, 'cursed' forever by the birth of a child out of wedlock.

Starring Gordon Fulton, James Duran, Maria Connolly, Roma Tomelty and Derek Lord- best known as Sneddon in STV’s ‘Take the High Road’, this is powerful and moving tale of one woman's fight against the puritanical community around her.

Gerry and Iggy, two labourers facing the end of their lives, talk of the present and thinking of the past. They tell the tale of a County Down farming community who are shocked when farm servant Sarah gives birth to a child out of wedlock, and refuses to tell which of two brothers is the father. The neighbours in the narrow, traditional community around the farm are scandalised and shun the place, insisting that Sarah - that woman at Rathard - has brought a curse on the farm.

A distinguished broadcaster and features producer at the BBC, Sam Hanna Bell wrote eight books, countless features for radio and television, and as editor of the Ulster Tatler’s 'Literary Miscellany', over one hundred short stories.

His own adaptation of 'December Bride' has been lovingly adapted by leading Theatre Companies around the province for many years. But under the direction of Colin Carnegie and a powerful local company, this unique and powerful tale takes a new dimension.