Dancing at Lughnasa, The Dukes, Lancaster. November 2001
Press Release
Set in County Donegal, Ireland, Dancing at Lughnasa is a warm and tender play about five courageous sisters. Michael, the lovechild of the deeply romantic Christina, remembers back to the celebrations around the pagan festival of Lugh in summer of 1936, when he was eight years old. The production brings to life his memories of how the sisters found happiness while facing an uncertain future.
Although the family lives in a modest croft, changes in society and industry have a direct effect on their lives. The five sisters: Christina, Kate, Maggie, Agnes and Rose, struggle to survive during a period of rapid change both in their own lives and in the outside world. They get their first radio in the home, their elder brother returns from his missionary work in Africa with viewpoints altered by his experience abroad, and already harsh economic times are aggravated by the displacement of the cottage industry with the advent of new factories. All these things bring the family both joy and sadness.
The eight-strong cast are delighted to be at the Dukes.
Angela Cameron plays Christina, Michael's mother. Angela trained at the Welsh College of Music and Drama where she first played the role of Chris in Dancing at Lughnasa, also directed by Ian Hastings. Other work includes Helen in Forbidden Games and Playing Shakespeare at the Shakespeare Festival, Gdansk, Poland, Elizabeth in Taking Steps and the Princess in Aladdin at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven and Julietta and Francisca in Measure for Measure at Manchester Library Theatre.
Miriam Cooper plays Kate, the hardworking schoolteacher. Miriam trained at Guildford School of Acting. Her work includes Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream, (Channel Island Tour), Mary in Playing with Fire (Bristol Young Vic), Julia Price in The Ghost Train (Bristol Old Vic) and Lady MacDuff (Blue Box). Miriam also writes, directs and performs for her own company "Play on Words", theatre pieces on History and Science for museums and schools nationwide.
James Lauren plays Michael, the narrator of the story. James studied acting at the Welsh College of Music and Drama where he appeared in The Accrington Pals, The Three Sisters and Dancing at Lughnasa. Other theatre work includes, The Three Musketeers for the Theatre Royal, York, The Fairy Queen for the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff and Judith for the Merlin Theatre, Budapest. For TV, James has appeared in Emmerdale, Heartbeat and Coronation Street plus Mersey Beat, Cold Feet, Queer as Folk and Fat Friends.
Locally based actor, Christopher Lucas, plays Michael's father Jerry. Christopher graduated from the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama in 1993. His first professional job was at the Dukes, playing Herbert Pocket in Great Expectations. Since then he has appeared many times at the Dukes either in the company or with Freehold Theatre. Theatre credits include Dr Pinch in The Comedy of Errors, Joe in The Daughter in Law, Owen in Translations and the lead role in Richard II at Lancaster Castle. TV credits include Emmerdale, The Beat Goes On, The Life and Crimes of William Palmer and most recently Cold Feet III.
Agnes is played by Francine Morgan. Agnes has a calming influence on the Mundy family. Francine trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama. Her many theatre credits include Lady Brute in The Provok'd Wife (Oxford Stage Company), Regan in King Lear, Maggie in Dancing at Lughnasa and Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Renaissance Theatre Company and Anne Deever in All My Sons (Theatre Wales, Cardiff). For TV: Tiger Bay, Casualty, Doctors and Shades.
Lillian Patton plays Maggie, a warm-hearted soul. Lillian trained at LAMDA . Her theatre work includes Virgin Mary in Borstal Boy at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin, Simone in Alchemy of Desire at the Hackney Empire Studios. Lillian runs her own theatre company in Dublin and has appeared as Monica in After Dinner, Frances in Stags and Hens and Alison in Look Back in Anger. Her TV credits include Sinead in Fair City and Melinda in Times Up.
Naomie Thompson plays Rose, the sister who is sweetly eccentric and simple-minded. Naomie graduated from Manchester Metropolitan School of Theatre in 1996. Her theatre credits include Annie in Hidden Markings (Library Theatre), Mandy and Audrey in Unsuitable Girls (Contact Theatre) and Rosalind in As You Like It (Chapman Theatre). Her TV credits include A and E, Emmerdale, City Central and Hollyoaks. Naomie is based locally and loves working on new writing. She is working on a one-woman show for theatre and film.
If you would like more information or to book tickets please call the Dukes