Poor Beast in the Rain by Billy Roche (drama/comedy)
Directed by Rob Kwade
Poor Beast in the Rain is Billy Roche’s award-winning second installment of The Wexford Trilogy. It’s the all-Ireland hurling final, and at the local betting shop in Wexford Town, the air is thick with anticipation. Into this palpable excitement comes the infamous “Danger” Doyle, who has returned to his home town for the first time in 10 years, after running off to England with the wife of Stephen, who owns the bookmakers. Having left friends, lovers and a jilted husband behind, Doyle has now returned to help his wife by bringing her daughter Eileen with him back to England. The scandal of Doyle’s departure and subsequent return has forever changed the lives of the other characters, each of whom is connected in some way to the incident.
About the Playwright: Billy Roche was born in Wexford in 1949. He was for many years a singer, fronting his own band, The Roach Band. Best known as a dramatist, he has published one novel, Tumbling Down (Dublin,Wolfhound Press, 1984). His plays include The Wexford Trilogy (London, Nick Hern Books, 2000): A Handful of Stars (1988); Poor Beast in the Rain (1989); and Belfry (1991). His other plays include Amphibians (1992); The Cavalcaders (Dublin, The Abbey, Peacock Stage, 1993). Trojan Eddie ( 1997); Haberdashery (1998); and On Such As We (Dublin, The Abbey, Peacock Stage, 2001, Nick Hern Books, 2002). Trojan Eddie was filmed in 1996. A member of Aosdána, he lives in Wexford.
The Cast
Siobhan Keely (Eileen)
Siobhan has been involved with the Tara Players since 1989, when she first appeared in Sean O’Casey’s The Moon Shines Over Kylenamoe. She appeared most recently in the March production of The Tinker’s Wedding, as well as in the February 2005 production of Black Comedy, by Peter Shafer. Her most memorable role was that of Joanie in Our Lady of Sligo, a script penned by her cousin, Irish playwright Sebastian Barry, and the 2001 entry to the Acting Irish International Festival.
Ray Cloutier (Danger)
Ray has been teaching drama to high school students for over 25 years in Steinbach, Manitoba. He has worked extensively in the community theatre circuit, including Shakespeare in the Park, Townhouse 9, and the Postage Stamp Players. While this is Ray’s first time in an acting role with the Tara Players he previously directed their 2000 production of Agnes of God. This is also Ray’s first appearance in an A.I.I.T.F production.
Derrick Cousins (Georgie)
Taking the leap from Guinness to the stage in his theatrical debut is the Irish Club’s bartender de jour Derrick Cousins. Derrick was first bitten by the acting bug when he started volunteering for the role of “patient” for medical students at the University of Manitoba. When not pulling pints, playing patient for the doctors-to-be, or discussing the merits of a good Irish whiskey, Derrick spends his time working with special needs students in a Winnipeg high school.
Pat McAvoy (Joe)
A dedicated Tara member since 1979, Pat has performed countless memorable roles, including Micheal James in The Playboy of the Western World; Willie McStay in All the Kings Horses; Johnny in Juno and The Peacock; and Timmy Cleary in The Subject Was Roses. He was awarded actor of distinction for the role of Sylester Brady in John B. Keane’s The Chastitute. Pat has also directed many Tara productions including Senora Carrara’s Rifles for Brechtfest with the Manitoba Theatre Centre, and served two terms as Artistic Director.
Carol McQuarrie (Molly)
Carol has been acting with the Tara Players since 1982, just prior to the onset of their first dinner theatre season. She has performed an incredible variety of roles in general and in over THREE DOZEN plays with the Tara Players alone, including 2 diverse characters in the November double-bill of Gone Tomorrow and The Workhouse Ward and . Carol is also a veteran of the A.I.I.T.F, and won a best performance award for her role in Molly & James in Milwaukee in 1996. Carol has also worked with Prairie Theatre Exchange, The Winnipeg Film Group, Phoenix Productions, Shakespeare in the Park, Buffalo Gal Productions and Belly Jean Productions.
Robert Wall (Steven)
A founding Tara member, Robbie remains an integral part of the company including as an actor and director in last months double bill of Tinkers Wedding & Thirst. His most memorable characters include Captain Boyle in Juno & The Paycock; John Bosco McLaine in The Chastitute; John Cleary in The Subject Was Roses*; ‘The Bull’ McCabe in The Field; and Teddy in The Faith Healer*. Directing credits include Crystal and Fox, Forty-Four Sycamore, and Brothers of the Brush (Best Director, A.I.I.T.F., Denver 2001) [*Best Actor A.I.I.T.F]
The Crew:
Director Robert Kwade
Stage Manager Sidney Gray
Set Design Team Robert Kwade, Siobhan Keely
Lighting Design Omar Khan
