‘Splendid Isolation’ comedy comes to Dundalk

Spacers present a new comedy ‘Splendid Isolation’ in the Friary Hall, Anne Street. The play runs for three nights: Thursday 25th, Friday 26th and Saturday 27th April at 8pm.

Spacers’ first production took place in the Friary hall back in 2017. The group came together to perform ‘The Space’ by Gráinne Jordan (hence the name Spacers).

In 2018 they brought Colin Calvert’s one act comedy ‘Mystery Tour’ to the theatre in the Museum.

In 2019 they returned to the Friary Hall with a production of Tommy Marron’s ‘The Real McCoy’. Spacers were getting ready for their opening night in March 2020 production with Jimmy Kearey’s ‘I’m The One For You’ when Covid struck and the country went into lockdown the week before. This is Spacers first post-lockdown production.

Having had the last production stopped by Covid, it is fitting that Spacers return to the stage with a nod to the extraordinary circumstances of the past few years.

‘Splendid Isolation’ is set during the lockdown and follows the fortunes of various characters whose lives are impacted by the lockdown. The play is written and set locally.

May McCartney owns the Splendid Lodge, a small independent hotel in Dundalk. As the hospitality industry suffers under Covid restrictions, May takes a decision to save her business.

She offers her premises as an isolation centre for travellers coming from abroad. Her niece Kate McCarthy, a journalist with the local paper, is desperate for a good story.

Local gossip Minnie Power likes to think she has her finger on the pulse of the town. She’s happy to share her knowledge if the price is right. When the isolating guests start arriving the shenanigans start. May McCartney, the owner of the Splendid Lodge, is played by Joanne Dalton.

Her niece Kate is played by Barbara Finegan. Patricia Reynolds plays Minnie Power.

Among the guests who end up in the hotel are Lisa, Padráig, Ailbhe and Cici, played by Karen Maguire, David McArdle, Stephanie Rocks and Denise Tighe.

Kate’s husband, local guard Frank Murphy, played by Mark Matthews gets drawn into the intrigue. Joan Wilson is the director.

She may have more than one finger in this particular pie.

Other Spacers who have been involved in this production either backstage, in technical roles or front of house include Amy Galligan, Eimear Boyle, Damien O’Callaghan, Martina Clerkin Byrne, Mary Reilly and Maeve Montgomery.

Tickets priced €15 can be purchased by phoning Amy on 086 2268606, from any member of the cast and crew and from National Tile.