Wake Up, Maggie

Niamh Clancy at The Whale SUN7MAY23

e might just be our Tennessee Williams, the late, very great John B. Keane having put the Irish psyche on page and on the stage for all the world to gawp at.

And ponder. And wonder.

And, you know, to laugh at the tragedy and the devilment of it all.

Imagine Martin McDonagh. If he wasn’t a flash, smug git who keeps setting fire to old buildings.

One of Keane’s most-loved plays, the Greystones Players are next taking on Big Maggie, first staged in 1969 and still as caustic, witty and moving today.

Coming to The Whale from Thursday, May 18th to Sunday 21st, Big Maggie centres on the eponymous Mrs Polpin, the death of her husband triggering a desire for new sensations – and changes that her somewhat feckless offspring don’t approve of. Meanwhile, there’s another wide-eyed, low-browed suitor at the door with a bunch of buttercups.

Directed by KathyAnn Murphy, bravely taking on the lead role on The Whale stage is Niamh Clancy, a veteran of Greystones Players.

We met up with the brave actress on this fine sunny Sunday afternoon to find out more…

You can grab your ticket for The Greystones Players’ production of Big Maggie right over here.