AFTER the success of last year’s production of The Cripple of Inishmaan by Irish playwright, Martin McDonagh, Chester Little Theatre is preparing to stage Moonshine by fellow Irishman, Jim Nolan.

The play promises to be another hit with audiences in March this year

Moonshine is set in 1991 in the village of Ballintra, on the south coast of Ireland. The Protestant minister, Reverend Langton, is mourning the loss of his congregation and the imminent loss of his dying wife. He is visited by undertaker and amateur theatre enthusiast, McKeever and his autistic assistant, Michael, to discuss funeral arrangements, but McKeever has troubles of his own. The cast for his production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is dwindling as rapidly as the reverend’s congregation!

Ally Goodman, last seen on the Chester Little Theatre stage as Billy in ‘The Cripple of Inishmann, returns as the incompetent McKeever and Chester Little Theatre stalwarts John Turner and Robert Quinn will play the Reverend Langton and Michae. The play also introduces three new actors- Rachel Cunningham, Alex Wight, and Beth Anderson.

Moonshine will be director Ed Green’s first production at Chester Little Theatre. Ed is a highly regarded director, known for his productions with local groups such as Davenham Theatre and Kingsley Players, in addition to Tin Shed and Urban Trendz Theatre Companies.

Ed said: “Moonshine is not easy to pigeonhole dramatically. It is at times darkly funny, but not a visceral as with Martin McDonagh’s style, which it preceded by about five years.

“Nolan is more faithfully marking the changes in Irish society in the early 1990s and the gradual emancipation of women from the yoke of the Catholic church and societal norms. Nolan’s characters are each searching for their own redemption from their pasts and their own inhibitions and beliefs.”

Moonshine runs from March 10-17 (excluding March 11).

Tickets are £9.50 and £7.50 for concessions (available on the first Saturday, Monday and Tuesday) can be purchased from www.chestertheatreclub.co.uk or TicketSource on 0333 666 3366 (booking charges apply).