The cast of Independence - Siobhan Murphy as Jo; Gillian Flynn as Kess; Olga Aughey as Sherry; and Mary Hughes as Evelyn Briggs.

Independence, Iowa is in Mullingar

Independence, Iowa is in Mullingar this week.That town is the setting for, and the name of, a drama by Rail Theatre Company, being performed in Mullingar Arts Centre from Thursday May 3 to Saturday May 5.Lee Blessing wrote Independence in 1984 and the setting is Independence, Iowa, the lifelong home of Evelyn Briggs.On stage will be Mary Hughes as the self-absorbed, domineering, manipulative mother; Gillian Flynn is Kess, the prodigal daughter who has returned home at the bequest of middle sister Jo, (Siobhán Murphy); while Westmeath Examiner reporter, Olga Aughey plays Sherry, the youngest daughter, who is outspoken and rebellious, with a devil-may-care attitude.Under director Sean Lynch, the play explores the interaction between the four women, each of whom represents an archetype of society in a realistic yet poignant way.Independence will be presented at the Mullingar Arts Centre from Thursday May 3 to Saturday May 5 at 8pm.Tickets (€12 and €10) from the box office 044 9347777, open Monday to Friday, from 9am-9.30pm, Saturdays, 9am-6pm.