Longford theater group shines backstage at autumn’s one-act event

Theater group “Behind the Scenes” (BTG) presented a sold-out, spectacular evening of theater on October 18th and 19th, “An Autumn Evening of One Act.” The event featured three plays that explored themes of judgment, identity and family secrets, showcasing the talent of local actors and writers in a thrilling blend of drama, comedy and intrigue.

The evening opened with the film Smile, Beautiful, written by Liz O’Hanlon and directed by Mary McLaughlin. The play takes place in a women’s prison. The play tells the story of Kathleen, a female traveler imprisoned for shoplifting, who must navigate the complexities of life alongside two other prisoners from a settled community. While addressing cultural differences, the play’s focus is on the broader theme of human judgment.

O’Hanlon attended Friday night’s performance and expressed delight at how the actors vividly brought her play to life.

She explained that her work talks about how we judge each other: “When I wrote it, I was really just writing about how we judge each other as people.”

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With the perfect blend of humor and tragedy, Handsome Smile resonated with audiences. Niamh Hanley gives a brilliant performance as Kathleen, supported by Sarah O’Keeffe as Josie and Aine Brady as Top Dog. O’Hanlon, who grew up observing human behavior while working in a shop in Cavan, noted that her experience influenced the authenticity of the dialogue:

“I have always been exposed to all walks of life. I’ve always been curious about how people judge each other—who are we to judge?”
A psychologist by profession, O’Hanlon draws on her knowledge of human behavior to inform her creativity. She added: “Kathleen had a lot of bravado, but she was also hiding a lot, like the rest of us.”

Next up was Fred Astaire, written by Frankie Houlihan and directed by Christine O’Brien. The play centers on Charlie (Oisín Hourican), who is torn between the manipulative affections of his mother (Dee Monahan) and his wife (Michelle Ciba). Both women attempt to transform Charlie into something he is not, creating a powerful exploration of identity and the emotional toll of trying to live up to others’ expectations. Charlie Hourican’s portrayal of struggle was both moving and entertaining.

The night is over Piseoga dark comedy by Laura Pendergast and Dan Sullivan, directed by Ollie Kenny. The story takes place in rural Ireland. It follows three estranged siblings – Joni (Laura Brennan), Al (Deirdre Brennan) and Tom Leary (Cillian Reid) – who return home for their mother’s funeral. Their tense reunion takes a strange turn with the arrival of a mysterious stranger (Tom Lyons), leading to the revelation of long-buried family secrets. With its combination of supernatural intrigue and sharp humor, “Piseog” made audiences laugh and nervous at the same time.

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BTG’s “One Act Autumn Evening” featured a diverse and thought-provoking mix of performances. From the tragicomedy of Handsome Smile to the sinister humor of Piseog, each play offered something unique, keeping audiences entertained and expecting more from this talented theater group.