Mullingar Arts Centre takes the lead as one of the first theatres to open up since lockdown

Olga Aughey

This Friday sees the Mullingar Arts Centre making a historic comeback in the sense that it will be one the first theatres in Ireland to stage live theatre since the pandemic hit.

The Matchmaker, featuring Jon Kenny and Mary McEvoy, is the first drama to grace the stage in over five months.

The 450-seat auditorium will see seating reduced to 100 to adhere to government guidelines and allow for social distancing.

Already over 70 tickets have sold so get your tickets quick!

"We are very proud to be one of the first venues in the country to stage an internal production with limited seating availability, within government safety guidelines and social distancing measures in full effect," says centre director Sean Lynch.

"We'd like to thank the public for playing their part in helping to keep the Arts alive during this extremely uncertain time for our industry."

Arts Centre PRO, Shane Barkey, explains The Matchmaker works particularly well within the confines of the new guidelines due to the fact that it is a two-hander, with Kenny and McEvoy rarely seen together on stage.

The John B Keane play, directed by Michael Scott, follows Dicky Mick Dicky O’Connor as he prepares to go on his holidays to Ballybunion, but before that, he’s coming back to Glór one last time to arrange a few matches for the lost and lovelorn.

Keane delves into the longings, hungers, fears and foibles of this collection of lonely people and creates a marvellously colourful world.

Due to COVID-19 safety guidelines, patrons will be allocated seats on arrival at the centre. The centre requests the following when attending The Matchmaker:

* Sanitise your hands at the entrance

* Participate in a temperature check

* Maintain strict social distancing

* Complete a contact tracing form

* Patrons MUST wear a face covering.

Curtain up 8pm. Booking: 04493-47777 | www.mullingarartscentre.ie