Anglesboro Drama Group are delighted to welcome you to our 2026 production of Dancing at Lughnasa, which kicked off on Wednesday, March 25th and will run for five nights, concluding Sunday, March 29th. Curtain up nightly at 8pm, except for Saturday night at 8.30pm.
Many hours spent in rehearsal and creating the set are worth it when we arrive at live performances. Amateur drama has long been a cornerstone of Irish community life, and the Anglesboro Drama Group are thrilled to bring wonderful Irish plays to our audience annually thus playing a small part in keeping our heritage alive and well.
Written by Brian Friel, this moving memory play is set in the summer of 1936 in rural county Donegal. Narrated by Michael, it reflects on a pivotal time in his childhood spent with his four aunts – Kate, Maggie, Agnes, Rose, and his mother Chris – and their brother, uncle Jack.
Living in poverty, the Mundy sisters rely on each other for strength and survival, finding moments of joy and escape through music from their wireless radio. But as outside influences begin to encroach, their fragile way of life comes under threat.
Set during the Celtic festival of Lughnasa – a time of harvest and change – the play captures a world on the brink of transformation. The return of Uncle Jack, altered by his years as a missionary in Uganda, adds further tension, while the sisters face financial hardship, limited opportunities, and an uncertain future.
Moments of spontaneous dancing bring bursts of energy and freedom, offering a brief escape from the realities of their lives. Yet as the summer fades, so too does the stability of the family: Kate loses her job, Agnes and Rose leave for England, and the Mundy household begins to dissolve.
Both joyful and deeply poignant, Dancing at Lughnasa is a powerful reflection on family, memory, and change. In our production, the older Michael recounts these events from his bar in New York City, some thirty years later.
We hope to see you in Anglesboro this week for live performances of Dancing at Lughnasa.
