Tipperary's Fr Mathew Players take 'Many Young Men of Twenty' to the stage this week

Fr Mathew Players, New Inn have chosen the John B Keane classic, Many Young Men of Twenty, for their 2023 Production, which will take place in the Community Hall, New Inn, for five nights, from February 22 to 26 inclusive.

The action occurs in the backroom of a public house, in the village of Keelty, over a period of a year, in the early 1960s.

Many Young Men of Twenty is described as a musical play of emigration, and that is just what it is. It examines the effect of mass emigration on a community and the impact of those who have gone, on the lives of those left behind.

But of course, as in many plays by John B. even the darker side of life is not without its humour and glimmers of hope, and a cast of colourful characters, namely the inhabitants of Keelty village, aka The Fr. Mathew players transport the audience back in time, to meet the locals, albeit at a sad time, as many were leaving for England to try and make a better life for themselves, and their families at home.

Some resigned to go, some hopeful, some happy and some just plain terrified, all human life and emotion is there, and is conveyed with song and story, humour and pathos, in appropriate amounts by the talented cast that are the Fr Mathew Players.

As with any vibrant and committed group, the cast is made up of old stalwarts, and
new faces, and it is in this, that the rich tapestry of youth and experience becomes evident, because as the climate of economic hardship bites again we can be glad to be in a position to present a play with such large numbers and feel gratified that so many young men and women of twenty and upwards well upwards! enjoy the experience and return for more. Long may it continue.

We are delighted to present Many young Men of Twenty, and on behalf of the cast, crew, and committee, we would like to thank you for your support in the past and look forward to seeing you in New-Inn, dates and details below.

Play runs from Wednesday February 22 to Sunday February 26 at 8pm.

General tickets €15 with a concession evening on Wednesday February 22 with tickets priced at €10.
Booking is essential and tickets can be obtained from Friary Pharmacy, Cashel 062-62120, Purcell’s Shop New Inn 052 7462691 Eileen Hally, New-Inn, 087-6334381 or 052-7462353.