Borderline Players return to the stage with comedy 'Widow's Paradise'

The hilarious play tells the story of five women who decide to take a weekend break in a caravan on the coast to get away from their various man troubles – but after some initial confusion over the location of the caravan, it soon becomes clear that their troubles are just beginning and the quiet, men-free weekend they were planning will be far from reality ...

The Widow’s Paradise cast features a host of faces familiar to Borderline Players fans.

Eleanor Gallagher stars as widow ‘Ruby Dempsey’, organiser of the ladies’ weekend away.

Grainne McMulkin, in her first main role with the group, plays Ruby’s daughter, ‘Sylvia’, and she is also joined by newcomer Tiernan McCaughey, playing love-interest ‘Alan Bradshaw’.

Grainne and Tiernan have both enjoyed ensemble roles in a number of Borderline Players’ pantomimes, including ‘Goody Two Shoes’ in 2017, and ‘Sinbad the Sailor’ in 2018.

Other fan favourites returning include Joseph Walsh as ‘Harry Bradshaw’; Aideen Casey as ‘Vanessa Burton’; Liz Smith as ‘Lucy McGarry’; Donal Monaghan as ‘John McGonigle’ and Paddy Duggan as ‘Ernie Gillespie’.

Siobhan Gallagher re-joins the group for her first on-stage role since 2010, starring as the perennially nervous ‘Rachel Cathcart’, and one of Borderline’s original cast members, Paul Gallagher, returns to perform with the group for the first time since 2005 in the role of ‘Wilfred McNeilly’, Rachel’s absent ex-husband.

Thrilled

Siobhan O’Brien is back once again in the Director’s chair and is thrilled to get the much-delayed show to the stage.

Speaking ahead of the performances, she said: “Borderline Players are back and we have assembled a great cast for the hysterically funny, Widow’s Paradise.

“I directed this show a number of years ago and have been looking forward to revisiting it with this group for such a long-time.

“This will be Borderline Players’ first performance since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and it has been a long road getting to this point, but we are finally here and our loyal audiences are guaranteed two unmissable performances.

“I am delighted that we are being re-joined by Paul and Siobhan for their first performances with the group in some time, and having worked with Tiernan and Grainne for many years, I am very proud to have them join the cast – developing and encouraging new talent has always been core to the ethos and success of Borderline Players.”

Widow’s Paradise will take to the stage on Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3 in the Termon Complex Pettigo at 8pm.

Tickets are available to book from the Termon Complex at +353 71 98 61111, or via Borderline Players Pettigo’s Facebook page.