Happy New Year

     2013 was a fantastic year for Trapdoor Theatre Company which was awarded the News and Star Green Room award for Best Theatre Company. We kickstart the new year buoyed by the success of Simple And Familiar and Xmas Shorts.

     November saw Trapdoor's production of the world premiere of Simple and Familiar written by Robert Doherty and Brian Coady. After the success of their sell-out short play the previous year, this full-length production lifted the roof off Garter Lane. We couldn't have hoped for more appreciative audiences. Your feedback has been astounding and the truly is the best reward for our efforts.

     Trapdoor Theatre Company extend their warm thanks to all involved in bringing Simple And Familiar to life. The directors Joe Meagher and Shauna Farrell whose direction, in the words of Pat McEvoy: News And Star, "...was precise, pacey, and showed perfect understanding and sympathy". Robert Doherty was nominated for Best Supporting Actor In A Drama and Brian Coady received Best Male Comic for their contribution to this performance. Also nominated for a Green Room award for Best Female Comic Performance for her part in this production was Deborah Cunningham. Special thanks to actors Fatz Dunphy, Vivienne Coughlan and Damien Walsh who turned in great performances and really brought their characters to life. A massive thank you to Red Kettle for all their help.

     December brought Trapdoor Theatre Company together with Red Kettle in the co-production of Xmas Shorts, five short plays written by Waterford authors. Many submissions were received and after much deliberation the following were performed in Central Hall. Great thanks and credit due to the writers, directors, cast and crew whose commitment to the project brought these pieces to life.

Emma was written and directed by Dayna Killian. Performed by Ben Quinlan, Grainne Kavanagh, Isabel Killian, Margaret Ryan and Dayna Killian.

Marianne by Patrick Kelly was directed by Clare Smith and performed by Conor Halpin Jr. and Garreth Drohan.

Dangers Of Ignorance by Anna Jordan was directed by Shauna Farrell and starred Brian Coady.

Brendan Brehan Stand Up by Tom O'Brien was directed by Robert Doherty and performed by Damien McDonnell.

Carpe Diem by Anna Jordan was written in 6 hours as part of the recent WYA 28 Hours Series. Directed by Shauna Farrell and performed by Kieran Doyle, Anita O'Keefe, Dean Sullivan, Ciara Dower and Jaqui Kelleher.

"...an intriguing collection of dramas that mixed fun and fear in a most entertaining evening." Pat McEvoy, News and Star.

Intimate Theatre: Six Short Plays

          We are still reeling from the success of Intimate Theatre at Phil Grimes' pub, Waterford. This event had it's beginnings in 2011, the brainchild of Dean Sullivan and Brian Coady, who called for submissions from local playwrights to be performed in a local public house. The novelty of the setting and a more personal and casual atmosphere appealed to many. The quality of entertainment and performance for a reasonable entrance fee ensured the audience could not be disappointed. The success of that event led to Trapdoor producing Intimate Theatre 2012.

          The response from the audience on opening night was overwhelming and a powerful reflection of the efforts of those who had participated. Word spread fast, ensuring that on the second and third night the cosy venue was full to capacity, with some audience members happy to remain standing, thoroughly enjoying the performances despite having limited views of the stage.

        
          Six plays were performed spanning a wide range of themes but unified by comedy, from the opening play "King of Picadilly" by Eoghan Power, directed by Enda O' Driscoll, performed by Jamie Flynn and John Doyle.

 to the wacky lunacy of "Santa Vs Screw", written and directed by Dayna Killian, directed by Katie Coughlan and Dayna Killian and performed by Maura Daly, Trish Murphy, Freddy Quinlan, Katie Coughlan, Paul McDonald and Grainne Kavanagh.

The egotistical character in "Pat's Svengali", written and directed by Alan Cliff, drew laughs amidst slightly disturbing mental narrative: Performed by Jamie Power, Clare Smith and Anita O' Keefe.

 while the hilarious monologue "Son Of The King", written and directed by Dean Sullivan, introduced us to a laughable and slightly tragic character. Directed by Mary Kelly-Bogata and performed by Dean Sullivan.

followed by "They're Not All Bad", written and directed by Brian Coady, performed by Damo McDonnell, Eimear Cheasty and Alan Cliff.

"Simple and Familiar" graced us with their presence again this year, obliging us with their opinions and banter between plays and seeing us off at the end of the night. Performed by Rob Doherty, Brian Coady and Jamie Murphy, written and directed by Rob Doherty and Brian Coady,


Huge thanks to the playwrights for submitting their quality material, to the cast for giving 100% in rehearsals and performances and special thanks to Tom of Phil Grimes' pub for being enthusiastic about the project, affording us practice and performance space and for all his support during that time.


         

Moonshine by Jim Nolan

          We are pleased to announce that the performances of Moonshine raised a tidy sum of money for the Solas Center, Waterford. Many thanks to all involved, especially to Jim Nolan whose generosity enabled this production to happen. Special thanks to Stagemad Theatre Company for their support; It was very much appreciated. To WLRfm, the Munster Express, the News and Star and the Waterford Today credit is due for generously promoting the event, and thanks to Brewery Lane Theatre Carrick on Suir and Garter Lane Theatre Waterford for accommodating us. A special thanks to John Denby and John Dwyer for providing us with an excellent set. Last but certainly not least, thanks and congratulations to the performers, stage hands, and volunteers who committed so much of their time to make this performance a success and, of course, many thanks to the audience for their support.

Moonshine by Jim Nolan, produced by Trapdoor Theatre Company, directed by Shauna Farrell, starred David Grant, Paul Dillon, Anna Jordan, Helena White, Jamie Power and Damien McDonnell.