The Bilberry Goats reflect on the changing variety theatre in Waterford

The Bilberry Goats are now in the 13th year of their original three-year plan, with their portfolio of work having grown exponentially in that time.

Garter Lane Theatre has become the home of the Bilberry Goats, and in this 40th Anniversary year of the theatre, the well renowned group decided to mark the occasion with a trip that looks back on some of the finer moments of their past shows.

The dominant theme of their upcoming show, 'Is This It?', is the death of an old culture of variety theatre in Waterford and the emergence of a more professional form of theatre, but with one problem, no one told the Bilberry Goats. Their hearts belong in the old culture, but they try hard to exist in the new one. They haphazardly upend the politest of situations. Rules are difficult for them as they pursue life by sheer instinct with the faculty of thought only used for pleasure.

From May 15 to 18, the goats will tell their tale with old and new material. They will revisit the chaos of 'Murder in the Park', when the CSI investigates a crime, show their religious adoration in a procession like no other and leave the Mayor hapless after a hurricane Council meeting. They will briefly revisit the Covid years with a visit to lockdown hairdressing followed by demonstration on how the HSE could function with few resources. New material at a graveside and a finale that salutes past members will also feature. This year, Jack Cunningham and his dancers will help the goats revisit 1984. Conor Lyons will visit the goats for an audition, the opening of act two will feature the voice of Greta Rochford and the closing of act one will be in the hands of Brenda, Hazel and Toby.

The usual suspects will include Tony Corcoran, Davy Sutton, Brenda Giles, Brian Collins, Jane Fraher, Scol Grant, Brian Power, Toby Hickey, Hazel Tebay, Paul Corcoran and Fatz Dunphy.