Mother Courage and her Children on Mayo stage this weekend

FROM the team that created the productions Shackleton and The Third Policeman, Blue Raincoat Theatre Company bring their production of Mother Courage and her Children to Ballina as part of a national autumn tour this weekend.

Artistic director Niall Henry, Blue Raincoat Theatre Company, said: “We were very excited by the Sligo audience reaction to Mother Courage when it premiered at The Factory in November 2024 and are really looking forward to bringing it to new audiences around the country.”

On stage at Ballina Arts Centre this Saturday, October 31, Mother Courage and her Children, set in 17th century Europe during the Thirty Years' War, tells the story of Anna Fierling and her three children. Fierling (Mother Courage) operates a canteen wagon, serving the armies she follows during the wars, while working to keep her family together.

Mother Courage is considered to be one of the greatest plays of the 20th century, and perhaps also the greatest anti-war play of all time.

The cast features Sandra O'Malley as Mother Courage with John Carty, Aisling Mannion, Bob Kelly, Aine Ní Laoghaire and Brian Devaney. Music direction is by Joe Hunt, set design by Jamie Vartan, lighting by Berry McKinney, costumes by Maura Logue and the production is directed by Niall Henry.

Tickets are available at ballinaartscentre.com or via the box office at (096) 73593.