Moat Club performs first play in new theatre

Padraig Broe, Conal Boyce, John Lennon and Anne Delaney, preparing for the performance.

NAAS 01 March 2003: It was all glitz and glamour last night at the first performance of a play in the new Moat Theatre in Naas. Moat Club chairwoman Georgina Clinch said it was 'a dream come true' for the drama group, which has performed on the premises since 1958.

The first production in the club's new E3.2 million theatre complex was Conor McPhearson's 'The Weir', and in a special double it represented the first release of the play to the amateur circuit. Performances continue into next week with the cast of five - Anne Delaney, Conal Boyce, Padraig Broe, Frank Kirke and John Lennon.

The new 200-seat theatre complex includes a bar, and a cafe will be open during the day. There are also meeting rooms, and an exhibition space, and the Moat Club welcomes any organisation which wants to use the premises.

Georgina Clinch (RealAudio clip here) paid special tribute to the organisations and individuals who had supported the venture, including the minister for finance, Charlie McCreevy TD, the Arts Council, Naas Town Council, KELT, Naas Credit Union, John Rushe of Super Valu, and Millennium Park.

John Murphy of the Moat Club, with Helen and Pat Doran (Pat is the builder of the new complex).

Maura Murphy, Frank Conlan and Frances Collaghan.

Story by Brian Byrne

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