Newbridge Drama Group new show opens Wednesday

NEWBRIDGE Drama Group (NDG) are about to show their half-century of accumulated expertise on stage again tomorrow night (Wednesday, 21 May), when they begin a four-night run at the Riverbank of their first productions of 2025.

For a curious change this year, the committee have decided to do a pair of one-act plays each night until Saturday, as opposed to a more traditionally cast, full drama.

The two plays chosen are Dead Men’s Bells by Méabh de Brún, and End of the Beginning by Sean O’Casey.

Each play will have a cast of three, with a stage crew of six, and will last about 40 minutes, according to Carol Duffy, chair of the group, and director of the opening oeuvre Dead Men’s Bells.

“We usually do two big productions each year – one in May and one in November,” she said.

“Our last show was By the Bog of Cats by Marina Carr last Autumn, and that had a huge cast of 12, so this time the committee decided to pare it down."

She added: “It was so well supported, in fairness to the people of Newbridge, and from farther, people give great support. 

"You do need bums on seats to keep the show on the road.

“It’s a great group to be involved in, nothing is too much trouble for anyone, and we all love it, or we wouldn’t do it if we weren’t."

The Kildare Nationalist was curious how long the NDG was going, and Carol replied honestly: “To be fair, I’m not sure, but we’re around a long time. 

"Off the top of my head, probably 50 years”.

So, if a bit of experienced drama is your bag why not pop along to the Riverbank at 8pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night and enjoy a unique show performed by talented local players.