South Tipp Macra group reach national variety show final

The cast of South Tipperary Macra’s satirical comedy sketch show, The Great Farming Solution, that will compete in the Macra National Capers Final in Ovens in county Cork on February 3.

A satirical sketch show written and performed by a talented group of South Tipp Macra na Feirme members has reached the Macra National Capers Final that takes place in Ovens in county Cork on Saturday, February 3.

The troupe of 11 thespians from Fethard, Rathkeevin, Golden Vale and Clonoulty/Rossmore Macra clubs beat off stiff competition in the national semi-final in Killarney on January 13 to become the first South Tipp Macra entry to qualify for the national final since 2005.

Their achievement is all the more impressive as they are the first South Tipp Macra group to enter the competition in 11 years with some of the participants newcomers to the stage.

The group’s 20-minute show, called “The Great Farming Solution”, takes its inspiration from satirist Oliver Callan’s send ups of Leinster House’s most powerful figures.

The show that features music and songs as well as large dollops of comedy, pokes fun at the Coalition Government and its dealings with farmers over Climate Change policies like reducing carbon emissions and rewetting land.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tanaiste Micheál Martin, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue and, of course, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan all feature as do some well-known opposition politicians like Tipperary’s Mattie McGrath and the Healy-Raes from Kerry.

Mary McCarthy plays the show’s poor put upon farmer dealing with the politicians’ decisions while Margaret Reidy and Rachel Ormonde play her trusty cows. The trio were nominated for an award for their comic performance in the semi-final.

The script was written by Anita Lonergan with help from cast members Daniel Long and Caroline O’Connor.

The cast comprises Michelle Ryan, Daniel Long, Thomas Long, Margaret Reidy, Rachel Ormonde, Josephine McCarthy, Mary McCarthy, Caroline O’Connor, Kevin O’Connor, Kevin Tobin and Andrew O’Donnell.

They are supported by the back stage crew of Lisa Mellerick, Conor Cooney, Hugh Browne, Sean Fanning, Aoife Lonergan, Aaron Cooney and Ronan O'Connor.

Daniel Long said they were delighted and very shocked to reach the national final as the Capers contest is very competitive.

He paid tribute to the show’s director Michael Manley of Glanmire Macra Club, who has travelled to and from Cork at his own expense over the past few months to guide and direct the cast.

The cast and crew began working on their Capers show at the end of October and first staged the production before an audience in Rosegreen Community Hall on Thursday, January 11 just two days before the semi-final at Killarney Racecourse.

Daniel said they are rehearsing three times a week at Rosegreen Community Hall in preparation for the national final that kicks off at the Éire Óg GAA Centre in Ovens at 6.30pm on February 3.

In the final, the South Tipp Macra troupe will be up against shows from Callan Macra of county Kilkenny, Mountmellick Macra from county Laois; Kilmeen Macra, Banteer Macra and Donaghmore Macra all from county Cork.

A large contingent of supporters from South Tipperary Macra clubs are expected to travel to Ovens to support them in the final.