Valley Artists

Date: 10 to 18 December 2005
Category: Performances

Cast

Cordelia Howell,  Clare Di Natale, Fi Young, Neville Newman, Graham Bennett, Bob Philippe, Alan Glover, Ken Barnett, Mal Goudie and Peter Williams

Written By Peter McDonough
Directed by Janine Oliver

"This exciting new play, written by Peter McDonough is being directed by Janine Oliver and starring a cast of well known actors from the Wollombi Valley, with great support from a highly skilled production crew. Valley Artists has a history of supporting the talents of local authors and playwrights and The Finnys is no exception. But this time, it is very definitely "local", in that it embraces local contemporary concerns. It began as a project for a film several years ago and was then commissioned as a stage production early this year. The result is a very funny satire of environmental and social issues that involves small communities and big business in modern Australia. For a good night of entertainment for the whole family, before Christmas, don't miss the Finnys at Laguna Hall, opening night Dec 10, then 11,14,16,17 &18th Dec."

About the author

 Peter McDonough is a former graphic artist who has had numerous cartoons and short stories published in newspapers and magazines. His cartoon series on farm life, 'The McDs', first appeared in the NSW Education Department's Schools Magazine. 'The Success Club', a collection of short stories, verse and drawings was published in1997 by Watagan Press. In 1998 his first play, a twenty minute court-room farce entitled 'Judge Mental' was staged as part of the Valley Artists production 'Come to Pieces'. That same year saw Valley Artists present his musical 'The Singing Tiger' which was re-staged at the 2000 Wollombi Folk Festival. Recent titles published for children are ' Bonz O. Boo Galoo (The Boxing Kangaroo)' and 'Herb Camel and Other Animals'. Peter has presented his poetry at schools, festivals, pub venues and NPWS campfire nights and has won several major prizes in poetry competitions.

Director's Blurb

‘The Finnys', a contemporary play full of colourful characters, humour and intrigue, is an ambitious piece written by ex-local Peter McDonough (The Singing Tiger). As a comedy it focuses on the seriousness of major development that continues to threaten communities and the lives therein. Peter's use of poetic metre shines through in his dialectical dialogue. Since the inception of Valley Artists in late 1997, I have been involved in every show in some way (please see the members page when it becomes available)

In 2001, thanks to Valley Artists' training sponsorship, I completed a NIDA short course in Directing. ‘The Finnys' is my directorial debut. It is an honour to direct a friend's play. It is also an honour to direct one's friends. I hope I honour them all.

Janine Oliver

Reviews

Opening night of Valley Artists' original new comedy, The Finnys, was a tumultuous success, with the audience calling for the author at the curtain call. Originality was the key to this hilarious dramatic work of art about life in the sticks, written by Peter McDonough. The superb cast of enlightened performers were forced to wait till the laughter ended before they could continue on with the next line, such was the appreciation of the delivery of the finely crafted words in the script. Brilliantly directed by Janine Oliver, the audience was lured and cajoled into participating in simple country living and enjoying the humorous view of big business wanting to cash in on it all. E