The Aul Fella

IT is the late 1950s and life is not easy for the five members of the McLaughlin family, plus their very old and senile lodger Polly.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Oct 2010, 11:52 BST
Updated 26th Oct 2010, 12:27 BST

Lilly McLaughlin spends her time trying to work miracles with her husband Vincent's meagre weekly wage, but no matter how hard she tries to stretch the money she always ends up short. Her hands are full with Polly who is constantly wondering off looking for the bus to Dublin. But the biggest thorn in her side is her father Foncie, (The Aul Fella) who is a part time street trader, a full time drunk, with a Midas touch when it comes to selling rotten apples and dodgy Herring.

For years Lilly has secretly been putting a few pennies away to buy a confirmation dress for their daughter Kay. But just when she has managed to save enough Polly dies suddenly and the money has to go to the undertaker for a down posit on the funeral. Her son Sean talks her into giving the aul fella her savings to buy a load of teapots, which he assures her with sell like hotcakes. Reluctantly she hands the money over hoping that she will get a profit. But what she gets is another one of the aul fella's disasters. Then, when all hope is gone, a miracle happens.

‘THE AUL FELLA’ by Irene Melaugh will be at The Waterside Theatre from Wednesday 27th – Friday 29th October. Telephone the Box Office for tickets on 02871 314000.