Theatre | Thurles Information

Death Of “The Irish R.M.” Star Peter Bowles.

Actor Peter Bowles in the role of
Major Sinclair Yeates, **in *“The Irish R.M.”* [1983–1985]**

Star of “The Irish R.M.”, and author Mr Peter Bowles has sadly died from cancer, yesterday March 16th, at the age of 85 years.
The actor whose career began with RADA at the Old Vic is survived by wife of some 60 years Sue, together with his three children Guy, Adam and Sasha.

The well-known and much loved charismatic actor of stage and screen will possibly be best remembered, playing the character of ‘Mr Richard DeVere’, starring opposite Penelope Keith as ‘Ms Margo Leadbetter’, in the smash-hit sitcom, “To The Manor Born”, which saw audiences of some 20 million viewers during its twenty-one episodes.

Starting his career at the Old Vic Theatre in 1956, he starred in 45 theatrical productions retiring at the age of 81 in “The Exorcist” at the Phoenix Theatre, having worked consistently on stage and screen, as the typical English gent, wearing a trademark moustache, in the British sitcoms including, “Only When I Laugh”, “The Bounder” and the TV drama “Lytton’s Diary”, which he devised himself.

From 1958 – 2021, Mr Bowles starred in some 42 films and well over 100 Television series, as well as receiving awards & honours including: – RADA Scholarship (1954); Madge Kendal Prize (1955); ITV Personality of the Year (1983); Male Comedy Star Award (1983); The Golden Gate Award (San Francisco International Film Festival, 1993) and an Hon. Doctor of Letters (Nottingham Trent University, 2002).

His book titles include the autobiography: “Ask Me if I’m Happy” and “Behind the Curtain: The Job of Acting”.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Anna Walker To Adjudicate Co. Tipperary Open Drama Festival At Holycross, Thurles.

The prestigious County Tipperary Open Drama Festival returns to St Michael’s Community Theatre, in Holycross, Thurles again, after a lapse of two years, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Tipperary Open Drama Festival this year will run from Friday, March 18th, to Saturday, March 26th, starting nightly at 8:30pm, [except for the final night when it begins at 8:00pm, when awards will be presented].

It is also a return to centre stage for Mr Donal Duggan, who is Holycross Festival Director once again, for this prestigious festival, which has for decades attracted Ireland’s top drama Groups, staging first class plays by some of the theatre world’s most popular authors.

Having adjudicated across the length and breadth of Ireland, and having supported and nurtured a host of travelling players, Ms Anna Walker has agreed to adjudicate at this year’s Co. Tipperary Open Drama Festival, to the delight of the organisers.
Ms Walker, has performed on stage, screen and television, having first trod the boards as an amateur actress with The Olivian Players, in Dublin, where she won a host of best acting awards.

Plays & Players.

Friday, March 18th, (Open), “The Beacon”, by Nancy Harris, (Ballycogley Players).

Saturday, March 19th, (Open), “The Door on the Left”, by Killian McGuinness, (Carrigallen D. G.).

Sunday, March 20th (Open), “Conversations on a Homecoming”, by Tom Murphy, (Kilmeen D. G.).

Monday, March 21st (Confined), “Little Gem”, by Elaine Murphy, (Kilrush D. G.).

Tuesday, March 22nd, (Open) “The Beauty Queen of Leenane”, by Martin McDonagh, (Brideview D. G.).

Wednesday, March 23rd, (Confined) “Quite Moment”, by Mick Finn, (Kilworth D. S.).

Thursday, March 24th, (Confined), “One flew over the Cuckoo’s nest”, by Dale Wassermann, (Mullingar D. G.).

Friday, March 25th (Open) “Brighton”, by Jim Nolan, (Skibbereen T. S.).

Saturday, March 26th, (Confined), “The Kings of Kilburn High Road”, by Jimmy Murphy (Camross D. G.)

Admission: €15 euro. Season Ticket: €70 euro. Concession: €12 euro.
For further information – Tel: 086 2575159.

Much Loved “Only Fools and Horses” Character ‘Boycie’ dies, aged 79.

English actor John Spurley Challis (1942 – 2021), best known for portraying Terrance Aubrey “Boycie” Boyce in the long-running BBC Television sitcom “Only Fools and Horses” (1981–2003) has sadly passed away today, at the age of 79 years, following a battle with cancer.

Mr Challis will also be long remembered from the “Only Fools and Horses” spin-off “The Green Green Grass”, as well as “Monty Staines” in the ITV sitcom ‘Benidorm’.

Announcing the passing of Mr Challis, his family stated: “It is with heavy hearts that we bring you such sad news. Our dear friend and yours, John Challis, has died peacefully in his sleep, after a long battle with cancer. He will always be loved for being ‘Boycie’ and leaves a great legacy of work that will continue to bring pleasure and smiles for many years to come.
Please respect the privacy of John’s family and friends at this difficult time, and be assured that in the future there will be an occasion to celebrate John’s life, when everyone will be welcome to come along.”

Co-star Sir David Jason also paid tribute to Mr Challis, labelling him “a wonderful actor” and also “a gentleman in the true sense of the word.”

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Numbers Attending Cultural Institutions & Public Gatherings Curtailed Due To Covid-19

As stated in our previous blog; caretaker Taoiseach Mr Leo Varadkar has announced that the country’s schools, colleges and childcare facilities are to close in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, with effect from this evening.

From 6:00pm today, schools, colleges and childcare facilities will immediately close.

Rules regarding public gatherings
In relation to cultural institutions, indoor gatherings of more than 100 people and a maximum outdoor gathering of more than 500 people will be permitted. The restrictions will stay in place until March 29th 2020.

To this end Thurles.Info have been contacted by Inch Players, to confirm that they have postponed their play scheduled for this coming weekend, due to the escalation of this pandemic .

Workforce requested to work remotely, where possible:
Where it is possible to work remotely, people are requested to do so, thus requiring employers, the public and business interests to take a sensible approach to coronavirus.

Mr Varadkar made the announcement in Washington DC, where he is visiting as part of the annual St.Patrick’s Day celebrations, latter which has been sensibly cancelled in light of the spreading virus.

Inch Players Present “It Runs In The Family”

Inch Players to present the Hilarious Comedy, “It Runs In The Family”.

Tom Ryan Reports:-

The legendary Inch Players will present the hilarious two-act comedy, “It Runs in the Family”, by Ray Cooney, on next Saturday, Sunday and Monday March 14^th, 15^th and 16^th at 8.15pm nightly in the Inch Community Hall, Thurles.

The Cast:
The cast comprises of John Glasheen (Dr. David Mortimer), Brendan Hoare (Dr. Mike Connolly), Matilda Hayes (Rosemary Mortimer), PJ Delaney (Dr. Hubert Bonney), Bridget Bourke (Matron), Patrick Gormley (Dr. Drake Willoughby), Michelle Fitzpatrick (Jane Tate), Jodie Kennedy ( Sister), Jack Lillis (Leslie), Dave McCarthy (Garda Sergeant), Michael Carey (Bill), Mary Ryan (Mother).

Production Team:
Producer: Matt Shanahan; Director’s: Ella Darcy and Kathleen Flynn; Continuity: Joanne Ryan, Catherine Kinane and Kathleen Flynn; Lights and Sound: Micheal Cahill; Set Design: Donal Kinane, Matthew Buckley, Mary Everard, Helen Carey, Dave McCarthy and Matt Shanahan.

The scene takes place in the doctor’s staff room in a city hospital. All is well preparing for Christmas in the hospital until the past comes back to haunt one of the senior doctors.
This brilliant comedy comes to life when all hell breaks loose and staff, patients and various members of the public are drawn into the plot.

The group welcome all their cast on stage and also new members, Mary Ryan, Michelle Fitzpatrick and Dave McCarthy. They also welcome Jack Lillis who is on stage with the senior group, having performed in the junior group in the past.

The group wish to thanks Caitriona Cahill, Catherine Butler, Cathy Butler and Margaret Ryan, who look after them so well backstage.

A spokesperson for the group said “We are very lucky here in Inch Players to have such a lovely Community Hall always at our disposal and many thanks to the hall committee for always being there for us”.

She added: “It would be very remiss of us all not to mention the anchor of the group, Marese Kennedy. Marese looks after us all, rarely misses a rehearsal, always willing to step in when needed. The nights we are on stage, Marese ensures there are always enough people to look after the door and she ensures we have cover for the shop etc. She manages our finances in a very professional manner and we are very grateful to her for all she does for us. We thank our loyal supporters who turn out each year to our performances. Without you we could not go on. We also would like to mention our esteemed President, Tom O’Sullivan, who is the longest serving member of our group”.