The Forge Players once again proved the strength of community theatre with their lively and highly entertaining production of Cash on Delivery by the master of farce, Ray Cooney, staged at the Excel Theatre in Tipperary from March 4 to 7. Under the assured direction of Michael O’Donoghue, the company delivered a fast-paced comedy that kept the audience laughing from beginning to end. READ MORE: ‘Extremely tiring and difficult,’ Lowry relieved to put Moriarty Tribunal saga behind him Cash on Delivery is classic Cooney: a whirlwind of mistaken identities, outrageous lies, and increasingly complicated attempts to avoid being caught out. The play centres on Eric Evans, a man who has been fraudulently claiming welfare benefits for a host of imaginary lodgers living at his address. When the authorities begin to investigate, Eric desperately tries to untangle the mess — only to make it far worse with each new deception. Aidan Tobin gave a wonderfully energetic performance as Eric Evans, capturing the panic and comic desperation of a man trying to keep several elaborate lies afloat at once. His quick reactions and physical comedy kept the pace of the production moving at breakneck speed. Trish O’Brien as Linda Evans provided a strong counterbalance, portraying Eric’s unsuspecting wife with warmth and unbelievable bewilderment as events spiral out of control around her. The supporting cast added greatly to the comic momentum of the evening. Eoghan Ryan as Norman Barry brought a wonderfully gullible innocence to the role, and his cross-dressing escapades had the audience in stitches. Liam Carey as Martin Furlong added his own brand of chaos to proceedings, particularly when his character found himself somewhat more “under the weather” than intended, leading to moments of hilarious confusion. READ MORE: PICTURES: More photos of the St Patrick's Day 'Parade of Champions' in Tipperary Town Anthony Flynn’s Uncle George proved one of the most comical figures on stage. His appearance during the
Tipperary drama group provides night of laughter with performance of exciting play
Norman Barry (Eoghan Ryan) and Brenda Barrett (Berna Hickey) declare their love for each other despite the unusual circumstances in Cash on Delivery by The Forge Players.
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Martin Furlong (Liam Carey) looking the worse for wear in Cash on Delivery by The Forge Players, with cast members Aidan Tobin (Eric Evans), Katherine Kennedy (Ms Crowley) and Trish O'Brien (Linda Evans).
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Martin Furlong (Liam Carey) consoles Brenda Barrett (Berna Hickey) as she believes that it is her fiance Norman that has been taken for cremation in Cash on Delivery.
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Eric Evans (Aidan Tobin) and Norman Barry (Eoghan Ryan) in a scene from Cash on Delivery by The Forge Players.
