Look Out for ‘The Ladykillers’ at the Dolman

Unsuspecting Mrs Wilberforce (Ruth Ferguson) is the target of ruthless villains Professor Marcus (Gareth Baskerville), Major Courtney (Richard Dymond), Louis (Wayne Fenton) and Harry (Luke Bowkett). (PHOTO: PHIL MANSELL)

A sweet little old lady is pitted against a gang of criminal misfits who will stop at nothing – including murder! That’s the plot of Newport Playgoers’ next production, ‘The Ladykillers’.

This classic black comedy, based on the much-loved 1955 film of the same name, tells how Professor Marcus and his gang, posing as amateur musicians, rent rooms in the lopsided house of sweet but strict Mrs Wilberforce.

Misfit crooks Harry (Luke Bowkett) and Professor Marcus (Gareth Baskerville) are plotting do away with Mrs Wilberforce (Ruth Ferguson) even as they take tea with her. (PHOTO: PHIL MANSELL)

The villains plot to involve her, unwittingly, in Marcus’s brilliantly conceived heist job. The police are left stumped but Mrs Wilberforce becomes wise to their ruse and Marcus concludes that there is only one way to keep the old lady quiet. With only her parrot, General Gordon, to help her, Mrs Wilberforce is alone with five desperate men. But who will be forced to face the music?

‘The Ladykillers’: Gareth Baskerville (Professor Marcus, Richard Dymond ( Major Courtney), Wayne Fenton (Louis), Luke Bowkett (Harry and David Livingstone (One Round). (PHOTO: PHIL MANSELL)

The play is based on one of the most famous Ealing Comedies which included Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom and Alec Guinness in the cast. The stage version has been entirely reworked, by comedy writer Graham Linehan who scripted classic TV shows Father Ted and The IT Crowd.

‘The Ladykillers’ is at the Dolman Theatre from Tuesday 10 – Friday 13 November at 7.15 pm, with a matinee performance on Saturday 14 at 2.30 pm. To book tickets call 01633 263670 or visit www.dolmantheatre.co.uk.

Dark Irish Comedy is a Wild Blend of Thriller and Violent Melodrama

An hysterically comedic play that charts the life of a 40-year-old virgin, her relationship with her manipulative mother and her last chance of real romance.

Life is a constant battle of wills between Maureen (Meryl Herbert) and her conniving mother Mag (Eileen Symonds). (Photo: Phil Mansell)

That’s ‘The Beauty Queen of Leenane’, this month’s presentation from Newport Playgoers at the Dolman Theatre.

In their lonely cottage in the mountains of County Galway, Maureen Folan is always at odds with her mother, a sour old woman self-exiled to a rocking chair who persecutes her daughter with demands for porridge.

Maureen (Meryl Herbert) finds a last chance of romance with Pato (David Livingstone), a simple-minded labourer (Photo: Phil Mansell)

One day the chance of escape comes in the shape of Pato, a simple-minded local who has returned from working in England. Maureen sees this as her last chance for love. However, as their relationship flourishes a shocking and disturbing train of events is set in motion…

Written by Martin McDonagh, the play rocketed him to fame when it opened in the West End in 1996, winning a nomination for Best Play at the Olivier Awards, with the subsequent Broadway production winning four Tony Awards.

Since writing this play, McDonagh has been as well known for his movies as for his plays with In Bruges earning him an Oscar nomination and Seven Psychopaths gaining critical acclaim in 2012.

‘The Beauty Queen of Leenane is at the Dolman Theatre from 16 – 19 October at 7.15 pm, with an extra matinee performance on the Saturday at 2.30 pm. To book tickets call 01633 263670 or visit www.dolmantheatre.co.uk.