Talented Wexford actors impress in their production of ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan'

Irish Independent

11-05-2025

Written by Martin McDonagh, the tale is a dark comedic story centred on orphan Billy Claven, who is physically disabled, and is pitied by the local community. When a Hollywood film crew arrives on a nearby island, he sees an opportunity to escape his stifling environment and make a life for himself.
A big and challenging element to the story is the cast of local residents who throughout the plot tell wild and exaggerated stories, a reflection of the islander's hunger for gossip and meaning outside the mundane perimeters of their everyday lives.
Nonetheless, the young cast took it in their stride, perfectly encapsulating each character and standing out amongst the tall tales.
17-year-old Billy Stafford stepped seamlessly into the role of Billy Claven, having got into drama through Fintan Kelly's acting classes. Before this leading role, he played Padraic Pearse in The Plough and the Stars.
A sixth year student in Coláiste Bríde with a love for the arts thanks to her father Fintan, Jennifer Kelly confidently took on the role of Helen McCormack in her third production with the company. Over the years, she has been in numerous short films and has various theatre credits to her name.
Sam Doran was first bitten by the acting bug in transition year when he took part in an one-act play and now in his sixth year of secondary school, his love for performance has only grown with him taking on the role of Bartley McCormack – Helena's brother with a neverending sweet tooth.
14-year-old Mary, and sister to Jennifer, has had her fair share of onstage and backstage roles before assuming the role of mammy in this production.
Despite her young age, she has previously worked in the assistant stage management of the Enniscorthy Musical Society's Happy Days as well as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. With an affinity for music, she is a strong guitar player who hopes to also learn the ukulele, harmonica, tin whistle, banjo and keyboard.
From the young age of eight, 17-year-old aspiring actress Niamh Lawlor took her first steps onto the local panto stage and never left. Having participated in a number of theatre training programmes, Niamh was more then ready to perform her version of Eileen Osbourne, Billy's Aunt and local store owner.
Joining her on stage was 17-year-old Ava Duffy who honed her crafts in The Playboy of the Western World and The Plough and the Stars before she assumed the role of Billy's Aunt who has a habit of talking to stones.
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Having over ten years of experience on stage, young Caoimhe was an excellent choice to bring to life the character of Babby Bobby, while 15-year-old Grace Boland encapsulated local docter, Dr. McSharry.
Rounding out the cast was passionate Éanna O'Reilly, who used his love for Irish, music, literature, film, and drama, to embrace the role of nosy newsman Johnnypateenmike.
And last, but certainly not least, no production can run smoothly without an expert stage manager working their magic behind the scenes. Anna Boyce proved her strength in making sure each actor shined without any technical difficulties.
With her wide-array of passions in visual arts, acting, and music, as well as behind the scenes experience with the Enniscorthy Musical Society, Anna was in her element throughout the three night run.