New play starring Carrie Crowley previews in Waterford tonight
Carrie Crowley who performs in Castel Gandolfo. Photo: Joe Evans
Highly anticipated play Castel Gandolfo previews tonight in Waterford.
The play is written by accomplished Waterford playwright Jim Nolan, and stars well-known Waterford actress Carrie Crowley.
Set over two days in the backyard of the eponymous Castel Gandolfo, a decaying terraced house in Waterford’s inner city, Stephen Callaghan is dying and the frail threads that bind his family are fast unravelling.
His daughter, Rose, is about to lose her job; his son, Tony, is losing the race to restore his father’s vintage car and his granddaughter, Stella, is about to swap a law degree for a start in the local chipper.
As if that wasn’t enough, Stephen’s ex-wife, the formidable Dolly, is back in town. The shock return of another exile threatens to reveal the truth behind a 30-year-old façade.
Castel Gandolfo revolves around the cataclysmic exposure of a Waterford family’s deepest and most secret wounds and features Carrie Crowley, Michael Power, Garrett Lombard, Sarah Madigan and Elishka Lane.
Speaking to the Waterford News & Star, writer Jim Nolan said: “We’re almost ready to rock. As I speak we’re about to do a final technical rehearsal, and tonight there will be a dress rehearsal and then we’ll have our first audience on Thursday.
“It’s been a really wonderful month in the rehearsal room and I’ve been very happy being part of the team here.
"As a writer you bring the words into the room, but it’s the actors and the director and all the other creative team who make it happen. So it’s been good to be part of that collaboration."
Speaking on Carrie Crowley’s return to Waterford, Jim said: “One of the great joys of this is to have Carrie Crowley back in her home place.
"Carrie and I worked together as far back as 1989, and I’ve continued to watch her from a distance progress as a radio presenter, TV presenter and actor.
“She was a great export from Waterford, along with Waterford Crystal and the blaa she’s one of our great exports, so it’s been a particular joy to have her back here and she’s in the company of some really fine actors."
The Ben Barnes-directed play features Carrie Crowley, Michael Power, Garrett Lombard, Sarah Madigan and Elishka Lane.
Tonight’s preview at Garter Lane is fully sold out.
The play runs from October 4 until October 19, 2024. Very few tickets are available at garterlane.ie
