Passionate 'Woolgatherer' set to entertain Cork audiences
The play, which had its Irish premiere at The New Theatre in Dublin last year to strong reviews, deals with mental health issues. This is close to actor Sinéad O’Riordan’s heart. A former electronic engineer, she has sunk her savings into setting up a theatre company, Orion Productions, to produce this play. O’Riordan has suffered from depression and says that last year was a tough one, during which she “was pushed over the edge a little bit. I was afraid to mention it to anyone. I think it lingered from post-natal depression. I eventually went to my doctor and started counselling and came out the other end.”
O’Riordan was urged to read The Woolgatherer, which was the first work written by Emmy Award winning playwright, William Mastrosimone. O’Riordan is both the producer of the play and the female lead. The production is in association with Blue Moon Theatre, directed by that company’s David Byrne. Michael Hough plays opposite O’Riordan as Cliff, a truck driver.
“The play isn’t that well-known but it’s a cracker. ‘Woolgatherer’ is a word for daydreamer. Rose (a day dreamer) has been institutionalised in psychiatric homes as a result of being abused by her alcoholic father. The play doesn’t go into this too much but the character suffers from depression.”
During the run in Dublin, O’Riordan gave the box office proceeds of one performance to Headstrong, a mental health organisation for young people.
Self-funding the production “was a big risk but I knew I was guaranteed a certain amount back. I felt in my gut that I had to put on the play. Setting up Orion Productions was a result of being fed up of chasing casting directors and agents. Hopefully, the right people will continue to be attracted to the company”.
O’Riordan is finally doing what she always wanted to do after having worked as an electronic engineer.
“I wanted to act full-time but the money wasn’t there to go to Dublin or London to do drama. I followed the sensible option but now, I feel it’s the right time to pursue my dream.”
