Unseen Theatre Company is proud to present, in association with some newly graduated performers from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts - Brien Friel's Dancing at Lughnasa.

The production, originally directed by Andrew Lewis, was performed at WAAPA in July this year to critical acclaim.

Dancing at Lughnasa is set in the fictional village of Balybeg, in County Donnegal, Ireland in 1936. It is a gripping and moving memoir of a long lost summer in the lives of five unmarried Irish sisters and those they loved. Each sister has her own way of getting through the rugged emotional landscape that is family, but dancing to an unreliable Marconi radio unites them all - awakening long-buried desires, vanishing dreams and a last chance at happiness in this poetic and heartwarming story. Despite, or perhaps because of, their completely diferent characters, the sisters' family bonds are almost tangible as they sustain and support each other through the isolation of traditional Irish life and a time of economic depression.

Brian Friel is acknowledged as Ireland's greatest living playwright and Dancing at Lughnasa is widely regarded as his masterpiece.

Dancing at Lughnasa features as the five sisters: - Penelope Jonas as "Kate", Melanie Munt as "Maggie", Viva Skubiszewski as "Agnes", Smiljana Glisovic as "Rose", Lucy Bath as "Chris", Tim Major as "Michael" and Dave Maguire as "Gerry". These actors complete the cast coming from Perth and Artistic Direcor of the Bakehouse Theatre Company Peter Green will join the ensemble in the role of "Father Jack"

SNIPPETS FROM REVIEWS:

"Everyone in the cast is supreme...Melanie Munt's timing is immaculate. She effortlessly manipulates the audiences emotions...five wonderful actresses play 'five wonderful sisters' "This production has impeccable ensemble acting exuberance, subtlety and style" - John Wells - Adelaide Theatre Guide- Stephen Davenport - The Program

"This production has impeccable ensemble acting exuberance, subtlety and style" - John Wells - Adelaide Theatre Guide

"All of the acting was excellent. As the sisters, Melanie Munt, Viva Subizewski, Smiljana Glisovic, and Lucy Bath were marvellous. Penelope Jones was outstanding as Kate...Peter Green as Father Jack was superb..David Maquire was spirited and charming - Laraine Ball - Encore Magazine

"The cast is uniformly impressive and strong, but there is a particularly powerful and disquieting performance by Peter Green as Father Jack, while Melanie Munt is superb as the irrepressible Maggie..a wild Irish jig brings the house down" Keryn Goldsworthy - The Messenger