PROGRAMME NOTES FOR THE GAP YEAR - LYRIC THEATRE
The show lasts for just over 2 hours, including an interval. Please take your seats ten minutes before the show begins to hear these programme notes read out together with information on the opening scene. These programme notes were prepared by N.I.Sightlines. The audio describer is Marie Abbott.
The Gap Year is a new play written by Clare McMahon, a young playwright and actor. The play was initially developed in partnership with Fishamble, a Dublin based theatre company, in 2018. It was first staged at the Lyric Theatre Belfast on 3rd September 2022.
The play is set in the present day, and is about a journey of friendship, as three women, now in their 60s, decide to go on the adventure of a lifetime. Newly widowed Kate, childminder-in-chief Roisin and their best friend Oonagh take to the road in a camper van, visiting every county in Ireland. The play is full of comedy, heart and warmth, and it conveys the sense of time and distance travelled.
The scene changes in the show are fast, with one scene flowing in to the next, giving little time to describe what is going on, so these notes contain some additional information in advance.
The Set
When we first enter the theatre, the set consists of a long rectangular screen which fills the back of the stage, showing sky and the outline of a series of heathery hills. Lighting initially shows a pale grey dawn sky, but other shades from dawn to dusk are projected during the play. In front of the screen there is a tier of low steps that stretch across the stage. Throughout the play various settings are suggested by the lighting and the creative addition of key props and scenery. These props include: a wooden bench; a two-seater grey settee with cushions and a small coffee table in front of it; the rear section of a parked camper van; the front section of a camper van with the steering wheel, three seats, headlights and vehicle indicators visible. An L- shaped low corner wall forms a piece of scenery that serves as several interior settings.
Other props and settings will be described as the show progresses. During the play, the cast often remove or position some of the props.
Cast
The play is set in Ireland, in the present day. There is a cast of 6 actors, four women and two men and there are 18 characters who feature in the story. The two male actors, and one of the female actors, perform more than one role as the play unfolds. Costumes and hairstyles reflect contemporary styles.
Carol Moore plays the role of Kate Mulgrew. Carol has worked in theatre and television productions, both in Ireland and overseas, and has performed in many plays in the Lyric Theatre. Carol is petite, with grey/blond hair, cut in a short bob. She has a determined manner. In the opening scene she wears a dark coat. At home she appears wearing casual clothes- a striped top, denim jeans and white trainers. When on the road she wears loose casual trousers and tops.
Marion O’Dwyer plays the role of Oonagh Madden, one of the three friends at the heart of this play. Originally from Dublin, Marion has had a lifetime of work as an actor on stage and television and in films, in Ireland, the UK and overseas. She is very tall and well-built, with shoulder length straight hair worn in a centre parting. Her blond hair is turning grey. She wears a three-quarter length padded gilet over a t-shirt and loose trousers while on the road.
Libby Smith plays the part of Roisin McAnespie, one of the three central characters. Libby is also from Dublin, and has a long history as an actress and presenter on RTE television, and has performed before in the Lyric Theatre. Libby is medium height, with neat blond, greying hair worn with a fringe and cut just below her jaw.
Frankie McCafferty plays a number of roles. Frankie has worked in film, television and particularly in theatre, as an actor, writer and director for more than thirty years. He has a long history of performing plays in the Lyric Theatre. Of medium height, Frankie is thin, with short grey hair and a short, neat white beard. Frankie first appears in Gap Year briefly as the priest, Father Donnelly. He also plays the part of Eddie, Oonagh’s ex-husband, and the role of Pat, a man recovering from a stroke. Later in the play he also plays Paul, Roisin’s husband.
Keith Singleton is a young Irish actor in his mid- thirties who has worked mainly in the theatre with companies like Big Telly and Replay, with some work in television. In Gap Year he is making his debut at the Lyric. Tall and slim, he has short black wavy hair. Keith is very versatile and performs several parts in the show. He first appears as Kieran, a campsite activities manager, as Campervan man. Keith also plays the part of Fionntan, a young hitch-hiker, also a young mother called Caoimhe, and Josie ( Pat’s daughter), Ethan, a drag artist and Alison, a drunk party girl.
Meghan Tyler plays the part of Catherine, Kate’s daughter. Meghan is from Newry and trained in Drama and Music in Glasgow. She is also a writer and has appeared on stage and television. Tall and slim her long fair hair reaches down her back. Meghan also plays the part of a young nun, as Sister Thomasina, and a further role towards the end of the play, as a tourist.
The show is accompanied by music, including a hymn (Be not afraid), and a series of songs linked to the earlier music of the women’s lives. These are ‘Downtown’ by Petula Clarke, ‘Que Sera,Sera’ sung by Doris Day, ‘Dancing Queen’ sung by Abba, ‘ If you leave me now’ by Chicago, and ‘Enough is Enough’ sung by Donna Summer & Barbara Streisand.
Creatives
Writer Clare McMahon
Director Benjamin Gould
Set Designer Stuart Marshall
Lighting Designer James McFetridge
Costume Designer Enda Kenny
Dramaturg Rebecca Mairs
Casting Director Clare Gault
Choreographer Fleur Mellor
Vocal Coach Brendan Gunn
Videographer Will Mc Connell
Executive Producer Jimmy Fay
Senior Producer Morag Keating
Head of Production Adrian Mullan
Finally, the show is only made possible by the numerous other technicians, construction workers, managers, wardrobe and other staff members from the company and those who work at the Lyric Theatre. The list is too long to name individually.
Prologue
There is a short prologue opening scene, which introduces the play. We witness four women standing by a settee, and two who leave this area to enter a chapel. Both of these women come forward, make the sign of the cross and move to sit together in a pew in a church. They kneel, then sit on the bench. A coffin is wheeled off behind them and a priest, in robes, enters.
The show lasts for just over 2 hours, including an interval. Please take your seats ten minutes before the show begins to hear these programme notes read out together with information on the opening scene. These programme notes were prepared by N.I.Sightlines. The audio describer is Marie Abbott.
The Gap Year is a new play written by Clare McMahon, a young playwright and actor. The play was initially developed in partnership with Fishamble, a Dublin based theatre company, in 2018. It was first staged at the Lyric Theatre Belfast on 3rd September 2022.
The play is set in the present day, and is about a journey of friendship, as three women, now in their 60s, decide to go on the adventure of a lifetime. Newly widowed Kate, childminder-in-chief Roisin and their best friend Oonagh take to the road in a camper van, visiting every county in Ireland. The play is full of comedy, heart and warmth, and it conveys the sense of time and distance travelled.
The scene changes in the show are fast, with one scene flowing in to the next, giving little time to describe what is going on, so these notes contain some additional information in advance.
The Set
When we first enter the theatre, the set consists of a long rectangular screen which fills the back of the stage, showing sky and the outline of a series of heathery hills. Lighting initially shows a pale grey dawn sky, but other shades from dawn to dusk are projected during the play. In front of the screen there is a tier of low steps that stretch across the stage. Throughout the play various settings are suggested by the lighting and the creative addition of key props and scenery. These props include: a wooden bench; a two-seater grey settee with cushions and a small coffee table in front of it; the rear section of a parked camper van; the front section of a camper van with the steering wheel, three seats, headlights and vehicle indicators visible. An L- shaped low corner wall forms a piece of scenery that serves as several interior settings.
Other props and settings will be described as the show progresses. During the play, the cast often remove or position some of the props.
Cast
The play is set in Ireland, in the present day. There is a cast of 6 actors, four women and two men and there are 18 characters who feature in the story. The two male actors, and one of the female actors, perform more than one role as the play unfolds. Costumes and hairstyles reflect contemporary styles.
Carol Moore plays the role of Kate Mulgrew. Carol has worked in theatre and television productions, both in Ireland and overseas, and has performed in many plays in the Lyric Theatre. Carol is petite, with grey/blond hair, cut in a short bob. She has a determined manner. In the opening scene she wears a dark coat. At home she appears wearing casual clothes- a striped top, denim jeans and white trainers. When on the road she wears loose casual trousers and tops.
Marion O’Dwyer plays the role of Oonagh Madden, one of the three friends at the heart of this play. Originally from Dublin, Marion has had a lifetime of work as an actor on stage and television and in films, in Ireland, the UK and overseas. She is very tall and well-built, with shoulder length straight hair worn in a centre parting. Her blond hair is turning grey. She wears a three-quarter length padded gilet over a t-shirt and loose trousers while on the road.
Libby Smith plays the part of Roisin McAnespie, one of the three central characters. Libby is also from Dublin, and has a long history as an actress and presenter on RTE television, and has performed before in the Lyric Theatre. Libby is medium height, with neat blond, greying hair worn with a fringe and cut just below her jaw.
Frankie McCafferty plays a number of roles. Frankie has worked in film, television and particularly in theatre, as an actor, writer and director for more than thirty years. He has a long history of performing plays in the Lyric Theatre. Of medium height, Frankie is thin, with short grey hair and a short, neat white beard. Frankie first appears in Gap Year briefly as the priest, Father Donnelly. He also plays the part of Eddie, Oonagh’s ex-husband, and the role of Pat, a man recovering from a stroke. Later in the play he also plays Paul, Roisin’s husband.
Keith Singleton is a young Irish actor in his mid- thirties who has worked mainly in the theatre with companies like Big Telly and Replay, with some work in television. In Gap Year he is making his debut at the Lyric. Tall and slim, he has short black wavy hair. Keith is very versatile and performs several parts in the show. He first appears as Kieran, a campsite activities manager, as Campervan man. Keith also plays the part of Fionntan, a young hitch-hiker, also a young mother called Caoimhe, and Josie ( Pat’s daughter), Ethan, a drag artist and Alison, a drunk party girl.
Meghan Tyler plays the part of Catherine, Kate’s daughter. Meghan is from Newry and trained in Drama and Music in Glasgow. She is also a writer and has appeared on stage and television. Tall and slim her long fair hair reaches down her back. Meghan also plays the part of a young nun, as Sister Thomasina, and a further role towards the end of the play, as a tourist.
The show is accompanied by music, including a hymn (Be not afraid), and a series of songs linked to the earlier music of the women’s lives. These are ‘Downtown’ by Petula Clarke, ‘Que Sera,Sera’ sung by Doris Day, ‘Dancing Queen’ sung by Abba, ‘ If you leave me now’ by Chicago, and ‘Enough is Enough’ sung by Donna Summer & Barbara Streisand.
Creatives
Writer Clare McMahon
Director Benjamin Gould
Set Designer Stuart Marshall
Lighting Designer James McFetridge
Costume Designer Enda Kenny
Dramaturg Rebecca Mairs
Casting Director Clare Gault
Choreographer Fleur Mellor
Vocal Coach Brendan Gunn
Videographer Will Mc Connell
Executive Producer Jimmy Fay
Senior Producer Morag Keating
Head of Production Adrian Mullan
Finally, the show is only made possible by the numerous other technicians, construction workers, managers, wardrobe and other staff members from the company and those who work at the Lyric Theatre. The list is too long to name individually.
Prologue
There is a short prologue opening scene, which introduces the play. We witness four women standing by a settee, and two who leave this area to enter a chapel. Both of these women come forward, make the sign of the cross and move to sit together in a pew in a church. They kneel, then sit on the bench. A coffin is wheeled off behind them and a priest, in robes, enters.
