Bernard Farrell’s 'All The Way Back', directed by Kevin Roche & James Lenane will take to the stage of Lismore's Courthouse Theatre from Wednesday next (20th) to Sunday, 24th March.

This Farrell comedy is a 'must see' for all the family and a great week of theatre is in store for all drama fans!

'All The Way Back' was first produced at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, in March 1985. It tells the hilarious tale of the turmoil that ensues in the Ryan household in an upmarket residential area of Dublin’s Southside, when the ever-practical Sheila Ryan (Blainaid Henessey) decides on a course of action to boost the family’s depleted income. Her husband, Brendan (James Lenane), a middle-aged redundant executive, has been out of work for eighteen months and there is a big household to support as they strive to keep up appearances.

Their rugby-playing son, Paul (Geroid Morrissey), works in the bank and is the main breadwinner, while the only other income is from a lodger called Mr Mulligan, a man with a strange occupation and a dubious past. The Ryan’s other son, Michael (Damien Pollard), is a trained hairdresser, but unemployed, while flirty daughter Mary (Niamh Coleman) is a schoolgirl who likes boys with motorbikes. The household is completed by the eccentric spinster Aunt Catherine (Julie Landers), sister of Brendan Ryan and chief critic of his wife, Sheila.

Other characters include Northside builder Davis (Ed Lynch)and his dim-witted son, Bimbo (John Ryan). Then, there is the well-heeled neighbour Bill Patterson and a host of ladies waiting to get a hairdo!!

About the Author

Bernard Farrell (born 1941) whose contemporary comedies, both light and dark, have been described as 'well-wrought, cleverly shaped with a keen sense of absurdity and generally of a topical nature'.

He has been writer-in-association with The Abbey Theatre, served on the advisory council of The Abbey and for eight years, was a director on the board of The Abbey. He lives in Greystones, Co Wicklow. Both his parents were passionate about the theatre and his childhood was filled with attending plays. He worked for Sealink until 1980 when he resigned to write full time for the theatre. Most of his 21 stage plays have been premiered at either The Abbey or The Gate in Dublin or at Red Kettle Theatre in Waterford. These include 'I Do Not Like Thee, Doctor Fell' (1979), 'Canaries' (1980), 'All In Favour Said No!' (1981), 'All The Way Back' (1985), 'Say Cheese' (1987), 'Forty-Four Sycamore' (1992), 'The Last Apache Reunion' (1993), 'Happy Birthday Dear Alice' (1994), 'Stella By Starlight' (1997), 'Kevin’s Bed' (1998), 'The Spirit Of Annie Ross' (1999), 'Lovers At Versailles' (2002), 'The Verdi Girls' (2007), 'Wallace, Balfe And Mr Bunn' (2009) and 'Bookworms' which premiered at The Abbey Theatre in 2010 and was revived there in 2012.

'All The Way back' is a comedy for all the family, so come along to The Courthouse Theatre from the 20th to the 24th March for nights of laughter not to be missed! Admission on the opening night is €5 and proceeds on Friday, 22nd March will be in aid of Glencairn Abbey.

Tickets €10 will be available from Cahill’s on 058-53992 daily and on 086-8938373 from 6pm to 9pm.

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