New theatre group promises a fresh start

Tusur by name, fresh start by nature: meet Mullingar’s newest theatre group.

Tusur (fresh start in Irish) are staging a production of John B Keane’s comic masterpiece, The Chastitute this week.

The Chastitute is based on the character John Bosco, a 53-year-old bachelor living in rural Ireland.

Keane’s play portrays Bosco’s experiences with the opposite sex. He is a bachelor farmer just searching for a plain decent woman to share his life with. Due to some religious sexual guilt, lack of social skills and lack of opportunity, Bosco has lived a life of celibacy – but he endeavours to change his situation.

There are an array of characters in the production, from drunken floozy women and playboys to Dubs, socialites, interfering missionaries and disco dancing locals.

The group comprises job-seekers and community volunteers, and Mullingar Arts Centre director Sean Lynch, along with the board of directors, wanted to afford them an opportunity to participate in theatre practice. Over the next few months Tusur will be staging additional productions (the next batch of shows are scheduled for late November).

The Chastitute was on yesterday, and is on again today, Wednesday September 24, and tickets (€15/12) are available from Mullingar Arts Centre, 044 9347777.