John B Keane’s enduring classic Big Maggie coming to the stage in Donegal

Donegal’s newest theatre group, Curtain Call is preparing to stage the John B Keane classic Big Maggie in Leghowney Community Hall.

The title role is being played by the multi-talented Tracey Faulkner who is the driving force behind the Starlight music and theatre group in St Catherine’s Vocational School, Killybegs where she works. And she has treaded the boards in theatres across the north west. 

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Tracey took time out from the final week of rehearsals to speak to Donegal Live.

“It all started with a conversation between myself and my long-time friend Angela Mulreany,” she said. “Angela said she would love to try her hand at directing, and I always wanted to do Big Maggie, so it started from there.

“The cast is a motley crew of some young actors from Starlight and some great actors from a mix of backgrounds and drama groups.”

This fantastic cast includes the multi award-winning JC Bonar from the Butt Drama Circle. 

Set in 1960s rural Ireland, Big Maggie is a compelling portrait of a woman who is determined to take control of her life following the death of her husband. The story centres on Big Maggie Polpin and her attempts to keep her family together after the death of her husband is an enduring theatre favourite.

This cast is bringing Big Maggie’s enduring story to life for a Donegal audience, running in Leghowney Community Hall from Thursday, August 21 to Saturday, August 23 at 8pm nightly. 

Entry is €12/€10 with tickets available at the door. Proceeds from the production will go to three local charities - Donegal Hospice, Solace Cancer Support Centre and Aras Mac Suibhne Patient Comfort Fund. 

“We want to be able to give as much as possible to the charities so we are most grateful for any sponsorship that will cover the costs of staging the play,” said Tracey. 

“Ideally we would like to be able to donate everything that comes in on the door.”

Big Maggie is described in the programme as: “Easily one of the best plays of the last 50 years and arguably John B Keane’s masterpiece.

“Set in 1960s rural Ireland, Big Maggie is a compelling portrait of a woman who is determined to take control of her life following the death of her husband, Walter. The story centres on Big Maggie Polpin and her attempts to keep her family on the straight and narrow.

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“The dialogue crackles with hilarious, caustic putdowns as the indomitable Maggie deals with her feckless family and unwanted suitors.

“Everyone wants a piece of Big Maggie and her property but she has other ideas.”

Cast 

Maggie Polpin: Tracey Faulkner

Gert Polpin: Éabha McGuinness

Katie Polpin: Ellie Cassidy Battles

Maurice Polpin: Conor Gallagher

Mick Polpin: Shay Rowan

Teddy Heelin: Ciaran Cassidy

Mary Madden: Niamh Gallagher

Mrs Madden: Sinead McTernan

Mr Byrne: Derek McDonnell

Old Man: Jc Bonar

Old Woman: Edith Kennedy

Production Team

Director: Angela Mulreany

Producer: Tracey Faulkner

Sound and Lighting: Will Collins and Jc Bonar

Set Construction: James Cassidy

Set Design: Jc Bonar

Stage Managers: Deborah Lacey and Carmel McConnell

Backstage Crew: Evan Gorrell, Nathan Keys

Poster Design: Nuala Toland