COW!

Easter Monday, 11 a.m. (local Irish time), sees KCLR 96fm broadcast ‘Cow’, a radio drama set in Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny.

Made with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, ‘Cow’ tells the story of Agi, a beautiful Hungarian woman with a secret who arrives on Damien and Marie Cleary’s farm in Glenmore to work as a mushroom picker. The Clearys’ already strained, childless marriage appears under further threat by her presence. An unlikely friendship develops between Marie and Agi however, leading both women to a new world view.

In a light hearted fashion, ‘Cow’ views the rural South East through the eyes of a foreigner bemused by cultural mainstays such as hurling and camogie, D.J. Carey, pub culture and the power of Smithwick’s beer. The forty-minute drama also explores contemporary issues such as Eastern European immigration into rural Ireland and social perceptions of women, both immigrant and native.

Director Jim Nolan is a founder member of Red Kettle Theatre Company and a former Writer in Association with the Abbey Theatre. He is a member of Aosdana. ‘Cow’ was written and produced by Sue Healy, a native of Waterford City who has won seven national awards for her writing, including the Molly Keane Prize. Her award-winning play ‘Shellakybooky’ is one of six chosen for performance at the Contemporary European Drama Review, Norwich, UK, in April this year. ‘Cow’ features Waterford actor Michael Power, who recently shot an episode of Game of Thrones for HBO and is currently in rehearsals for Richard II with the Abbey Players. ‘Cow’ also stars BBC Radio 4 veteran Madeleine Brolly, an Oxford-born actor whose family hails from Clonoulty Co. Tipperary and Dublin-based actor Geraldine Crowley of Barrabehy, Co. Kilkenny. ‘Cow’ was edited by senior BBC sound engineer Eugene Sully – who is probably best known as the runner-up in Big Brother 6.

‘Cow’ will be broadcast by KCLR 96fm after the 11am news on April 1^st (Easter Monday). The play can also be simultaneously streamed live via the KCLR 96fm website.

Poster by Amelia Power Design.