REVIEW: Tipperary drama group's production of By the Bog of Cats was 'outstanding' theatre

Fr Mathew Players’ staging of By the Bog of Cats at New Inn Community Centre was nothing short of a triumph, a production that blended powerful performances, haunting music, and the unmistakable warmth of community theatre.

From the opening moments, the audience was drawn into Marina Carr’s world of prophecy, heartbreak, and the inescapable pull of the past.

At the heart of the production was Judith Shortall as Hester Swane, delivering a performance that was raw, controlled and deeply affecting.

She carried the emotional weight of the story with remarkable strength, portraying Hester’s turmoil, defiance, and vulnerability with honesty and intensity.

READ ALSO: Tipperary students secure place in competition regional finals with nature inspired design

The musical elements of the production added an unexpected but beautiful layer to the storytelling.
Lisa Hally as the Catwoman, Isobel Lynch as Monica Murray, and Sinead Ryan as Caroline Cassidy delivered haunting vocal moments that lifted the atmosphere to another level.

Their singing threaded through the play like a lament rising from the bog, eerie, soulful and perfectly in tune with the themes of loss and longing.

Isobel Lynch as Monica Murray brought a special emotional resonance to her role. She truly loved Hester for who she was, and her performance reflected that loyalty with tenderness and depth.

Her scenes with Hester were among the most moving of the night, offering glimmers of compassion in an otherwise unforgiving world.

Eleanor Ryan as Josie gives Mrs Kilbride played by Sinead Heaney a kiss in Fr Mathew Players’ production of By the Bog of Cats

Eleanor Ryan brought something truly special to the stage as young Josie, a blend of vulnerability, honesty, and natural comedy that only a child can deliver.

She moved through the story with an openness that softened even its darkest moments, offering the audience little flashes of light and innocence just when they were needed most.

Sinead Heaney, as Mrs Kilbride, balanced sharpness with vulnerability, keeping the audience rolling in their seats throughout.

Seamus Kennedy delivered a strong, grounded performance as Carthage Kilbride, a man pulled taut between duty, ambition, and the ghosts of a past he can’t quite outrun.

He carried that inner conflict with a quiet intensity, revealing a character torn by choices he’s already made and those he’s still afraid to face.

Lisa Hally, in the role of the Catwoman, was magnetic, sharp, unpredictable and darkly humorous.

She commanded the stage with a presence that was both unsettling and captivating, embodying the mystical, truth-telling force that Carr intended.

Paddy O’Connor as Xavier Cassidy holds Hester Swane, played by Judith Shorthall at gunpoint in a scene from Fr Mathew Players’ production of By the Bag of Cats

Paddy O’Connor brought a striking intensity to the role of Xavier Cassidy, commanding the stage with a presence that was both unsettling and utterly compelling.

He captured the cold authority and calculated control of the Cassidy legacy with razor-sharp precision, making every entrance feel charged with tension.

Michael Duggan’s Ghost Fancier brought an other worldly calm to the production while Catherine McGrath, Catherine Flanagan, Teresa O’Halloran, Sean McSweeney, John Hally, and Rónán Morris each contributed richly to the tapestry of the story. Every performance felt considered and lived-in.

Eddie Golden’s work as MC was flawless. His delivery was warm, steady, and perfectly pitched, guiding the audience with ease and professionalism.

Moment of Silence to the late Michael Hally

The evening began, with a moment of silence led by Eddie; a quiet and heartfelt tribute to beloved member Michael Hally, who passed away earlier in the week. It was a simple gesture, beautifully observed, and a reminder of the strong bonds at the heart of the Fr Mathew Players.

The live music was among the production’s greatest strengths. Karl McHugh, Pat Marnane, and Anne-Marie Dwan on fiddle created a soundscape that wrapped itself around the story, sometimes mournful, sometimes tense, always evocative. Their playing gave the bog a voice of its own.

The lighting by Camillus Croke was exceptional. With subtle shifts and bold contrasts, he transformed the stage into a living landscape, eerie twilight, cold dawn, and emotional spotlighting all executed with precision. The bog felt alive, watchful, and ever-present.

The wardrobe was a standout achievement thanks to the impeccable eye of Katy Ryan. Every costume felt lived-in, authentic, and perfectly matched to the emotional world of each character.

Katy managed to balance the earthy grit of the bog with the individuality of the people who inhabit it.

The front-of-house team greeted every audience member with genuine warmth.

The cuppa at half-time, a treat and a beloved tradition, added that unmistakable New Inn touch of hospitality and community spirit.

The visual world of the play was elevated by the stunning backdrop artwork created by Karyna Vechorkina, whose artistic interpretation of the bog added depth, mood and a sense of place that lingered long after the final scene.

Her work gave the stage a soul, a landscape that felt both beautiful and foreboding, perfectly echoing the themes of the story.

Adding to this was the remarkable stage construction by Sean Looby, whose rotating set was an amazing display of creativity and practicality. With a simple turn, scenes shifted effortlessly, allowing the story to flow without interruption. It was clever, effective and added a professional polish that impressed the entire audience.

A production as seamless and emotionally charged as By the Bog of Cats doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of clear vision, brave choices and a team working in harmony behind the scenes.

At the centre of that creative engine was producer Karl McHugh, whose steady hand and artistic instinct shaped the entire experience. His vision was evident in every detail; the pacing, the atmosphere, the musical integration, and the way each character felt perfectly placed within the world of the bog.

The casting, in particular, was spot-on. Every actor felt chosen not just for their ability, but for the emotional truth they brought to their role.

In the end, By the Bog of Cats was more than a performance, it was an experience woven from talent, dedication, and heart.

The Fr Mathew Players once again proved that community theatre can be powerful, moving, and unforgettable.

There is no doubt they left the sold out audiences on each of the four nights, wanting more. Outstanding! A night of theatre that settles into the heart and mind and refuses to leave.

Catherine Flanagan and Catherine McGrath in action on stage in Fr Mathew Players’ production of By the Bog of Cats.

READ NEXT: Carrick-on-Suir Musical Society announces date tickets go on sale for Man of La Mancha show