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WATCH Torch Players present ‘By the Bog of Cats’ at the Belltable from March 5 – 9

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With Torch Players rehearsals in full swing, the stage is set for ‘By the Bog of Cats’ to take centre stage at Belltable from March 5-9, 2024. Pictured above are the cast and crew. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Marina Carr’s spellbinding masterpiece, ‘By the Bog of Cats’ is a dark psychological drama and a hilarious dark comedy

Marina Carr's spellbinding masterpiece, 'By the Bog of Cats' is a dark psychological drama and a hilarious dark comedy
Director and founder of Torch Players Maurice pictured in centre with cast and crew. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Set in a bleak landscape in the Irish midlands ‘By The Bog Of Cats’, by contemporary Irish playwright Marina Carr, follows Hester Swane, a traveller, as she embarks on a journey of vengeance to lay claim to what is hers. This is a dark psychological drama and a hilarious dark comedy.

Reflecting on the significance of bringing Carr’s work to life on stage, Daordre Mingoue, PRO of Torch Players theatre group, remembered the play’s iconic status and past successes including multiple award wins.

“It is a very strange play, there’s supernatural, there’s ghosts, there’s curses, there’s old Irish traditions, very strong female characters and it’s comedy. It’s dark. When it’s dark, it’s dark; when it’s funny, it’s hilariously funny. It’s got everything in it, but it’s not for the faint-hearted”, said Daordre.


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With Torch Players’ commitment to delivering high-quality productions, “By the Bog of Cats” is poised to continue this legacy at Belltable.

The theatre group has been active since 1978, making it one of Limerick’s oldest theatre companies.

Speaking recently with I Love Limerick, Maurice O’Sullivan, the director and founder of Torch Players, spoke about the company’s legacy and upcoming production, saying, “I started up directing plays with school kids up near what was then the School of Commerce, now called Limerick College of Public Education. So it went on from there, most of those guys left after about five or ten years and I’m the lone survivor now from the beginning.”

Director Eugene pictured with his incredible cast.

“I think this play has got a great blend of drama and comedy, mainly drama – very, very serious drama – and it’s a very powerful play; I thought I could cast it, which I think I have.”

Maurice know affectionately as Mossy, praised lead actress Joanne O’Brien, who portrays the iconic character Hester, as he highlighted the actor’s ability to embody characters with depth and authenticity, making her the perfect fit for the challenging role.

Daordre went on to explain ‘By the Bog of Cats’ is a play Mossy has always wanted to put on, “It’s something he’s always wanted to do and I think it’s the first time in a few years that we actually have very strong female actresses that are able to carry the parts and I think that’s probably the main reason why he chose it.”

With rehearsals in full swing, the stage is set for ‘By the Bog of Cats’ to take centre stage at Belltable, this is a production not to be missed.

Tickets for ‘By the Bog of Cats’ are available now, giving the perfect opportunity to support local theatre on display at the Belltable from March 5 – 9, 2024 as the Torch Players bring the Marina Carr classic to life.

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Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.