Mayo writer and director brings new hilarious comedy to local venue

Audiences in Parke and Tuam are in for a really special treat this weekend, when Ollie Barrett brings his brand new hilarious play to the stage for the very first time.

Poor Lady’s University will be brought to life by Claremorris-based drama group, Upstage Players.

It will be staged in Parke Community Hall on Friday night, September 11, with a second show in The Mall Theatre in Tuam on Saturday night, September 12.

Performances get under way at 8 p.m. Admission is €15 and tickets will be available on the door each night.

Set in a fading west of Ireland village, the community centre doubles as the local pub, making it the only classroom anyone bothers still attending.

Poor Lady’s University follows the regulars trying to save it: a farmer convinced the rain started with the foreigners, a widow running a dating agency out of her handbag, a priest who’d rather deal cards than hear confession, and a daughter chasing a quarter of a million euro on a quiz show to keep the doors open. Everyone’s got an opinion, and almost none of them are correct.

Poor Lady’s University is a laugh-out-loud comedy, written and directed by Ollie Barrett.

A native of Ballycastle in north Mayo, Ollie has called Milltown home for many years and it is fitting, therefore, that he will bring the play to the stage in both counties this week.

Ollie has been involved with Upstage Players from Claremorris for the last couple of years, taking on lead roles in the group’s competing three-act shows in both 2025 and 2026.

As Jim in The Weir, and Hiker Lacey in The Year of the Hiker, he wowed audiences and adjudicators alike, winning multiple awards along the way.

Poor Lady’s University features a 13-strong cast, with the team recruited from across the region.

Leitrim native and Claremorris resident Amy Jane Foley plays Tara, Angela O’Brien from Claremorris plays Sam, Milltown native and Claremorris resident Marion Walsh-Maguire takes on the role of Kitty, while Cavan-born Parke-resident Des Gilsenan is Leo.

Castlebar’s Sabrina Nolan-McHugh plays Mags, Parke’s Vincent McHale is Joe, Ballyhaunis man Karl Coyne is taking on the role of the travelling knife salesman, while Crossboyne’s Karen Hahessy is Cara.

Dee McDonnell plays Mia, Milltown’s Frank McHugh is Fr Peadar, Corofin native and Tuam resident Sonja Stevens is Celeste, Claremorris woman Bridget Keaveney is Leira, and Tuam’s Stephen Leo plays Adam.

An equally talented crew has been assembled for the play. Milltown’s Lisa Dowd-Hynes is on sound, with Irishtown’s Billy Freeley on lighting, Alan Biesty from Ballyhaunis has taken charge of set construction, Tim Oates from Claremorris is assistant to the director, while Dunmore’s Mary O’Kennedy has been line partner throughout rehearsals.

Poor Lady's University is a brilliant comedy and guarantees laughs aplenty.

Tickets will be available on the door each night.