Outside Mullingar is a beautiful name, all by itself.
But it’s more than that. It signifies that the Chemainus Theatre Festival is bringing a bittersweet romantic comedy, an enchanting blend of Irish humour with poignant reflections on life, and a happily-ever-after love story all-in-one.
This tale, with all of its surprises, opens at the theatre on Friday, Oct 19.
Maybe no one goes to see a romantic comedy to be surprised. After all, we all know that the characters are destined to be together. However, in Outside Mullingar we are never quite sure how that will happen and yet when it does, it’s a thing we never could have anticipated.
Simply, Outside Mullingar is the tale of two people who have lived next to each other their whole lives; she has been in love with him for years and he has been oblivious. Of course, there are also family rivalries, land disputes, laugh-out-loud jokes and, in fine Irish tradition, heartrending poetry.
Playwright John Patrick Shanley’s 1987 production, Moonstruck, won three Academy awards; he wrote and directed the film Joe Versus the Volcano; and the Broadway smash hit Doubt: A Parable won the Tony Award for best play and the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 2005.
Outside Mullingar compactly spans years, pulling us into the compelling world of the Reillys and Muldoons. It is a love story of the Irish people for the land as much as it is about the love story between Rosemary and Anthony. These two find their way to a piece of happiness together in one of the most unromantic and yet amusing courtships you will ever see.
Bringing this Irish romantic comedy to life are Brian Hinson as Tony Reilly, Garett Ross as Anthony Reilly, Kathryn Kerbes as Aoife Muldoon and Emma Slipp as Rosemary Muldoon.
The creative team consists of director Mark Dumez, set designer James O’Leary, costume designer Mary Downes, lighting designer Wendy Lundgren, stage manager Claire Friedrich and apprentice stage manager Zoe Bellis.
Matinee and evening shows for all ages run Oct. 19 – Nov. 3.
Call the Box Office at 1-800-565-7738 or visit chemainustheatre.ca to book your tickets.
Show enhancements are available and include: free “talk-backs” with the cast and crew following Wednesday performances, a special show-themed dinner in the Playbill Dining Room, and accommodation package at the Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn that includes a deluxe breakfast buffet, use of the indoor mineral pool, hot tub, and fitness centre.
