Hit dancehall drama ‘If Only’ returns

‘If Only’, a drama by Gort playwrights Shane Counihan and Kevin Glynn that transports audiences back to the halcyon days of ballroom dancing, will be staged at An Taibhdhearc Theatre in Galway City on Saturday and Sunday, October 26 and 27.

It’s being presented by Shake Theatre Productions in association with Gort’s Wild Swan Theatre Group which first staged it nearly three years ago. Back then it sold out 21 venues across Galway and Clare including An Taibhdhearc and Glór in Ennis.

Shane and Kevin then decided to rest it because of other commitments, but are reviving it because of public demand, according to Shane who describes it as a play “will bring you up, bring you down, bring you over and bring you back”.

‘If Only’ draws its inspiration from the glory days of Gort’s Classic Ballroom which was on the Ennis Road. Long gone, it was owned by the Mullins family. Its ex-owner Noel Mullins was happy to share his memories with the writers.

Shane’s late grandmother, Mai, also had great stories about the legendary ballroom where the likes of The Dixies, the Royal and the Mainliners had performed. She died before If Only was produced but had read the script and loved it. Her grandson describes as “a hilarious comedy that will bring a tear to your eye at the end”.

The play’s main character, Jack, is studying music in college and happy with life.

But then his father, the local publican, undertaker and band-hall manager, dies suddenly. Jack must leave college and come home to help his mother Maisie, (named in honour of Mai) run the family business.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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