A Skull in Connemara

By Martin McDonagh

Director – Paul Ward

Prepare for an evening of dark comedy and riveting drama with Martin McDonagh’s “A Skull in Connemara.”  Set in the eerie yet picturesque landscape of rural Ireland, this macabre tale centres around Mick Dowd, a gravedigger with a shadowy past, tasked with exhuming old graves to make space in the overcrowded cemetery.  As Mick prepares to unearth the remains of his own late wife, rumours about his involvement in her mysterious death resurface, igniting a whirlwind of suspicion and intrigue.

From the moment the curtain rises, the audience is drawn into McDonagh’s masterful blend of humour and horror. Mick’s life is turned upside down when he’s joined by the nosy and bumbling local teenager, Mairtin Hanlon, whose wild theories and morbid curiosity fuel the tension.  As bones and secrets are unearthed, the line between truth and gossip blurs, and the small community is engulfed in a wave of dark revelations and bitter confrontations.

The play’s razor-sharp dialogue and eccentric characters bring a rich and engaging texture to the narrative.  Maryjohnny Rafferty, the town’s cantankerous old woman, adds to the play’s comedic and mysterious elements with her sharp tongue and suspicious nature.  The arrival of the officious local policeman, Thomas Hanlon, only complicates matters further, as he digs into Mick’s past and the town’s unsolved mysteries.  Each character’s unique quirks and hidden motives create a tapestry of intrigue that keeps the audience guessing until the very end.

“A Skull in Connemara” is an outstanding piece, combining McDonagh’s signature wit with a gripping storyline that explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the haunting power of the past.  And the atmospheric set design creates the perfect backdrop for this tale of darkly comic suspense.  Don’t miss your chance to experience this thrilling production — book your tickets for a night of theatre that promises to be as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

A Main Stage Production (Part of our SEASON TICKET scheme)

Show Dates: 5^th – 12^th April 2025 – curtain up at 7.45pm (Matinee on 6th April – curtain up at 2pm)

This amateur production of “A Skull in Connemara” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. www.concordtheatricals.co.uk