Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me

Haulbowline Theatre Group’s recent sell-out play “Someone Who’ll Watch over Me” by acclaimed Irish
dramatist Frank McGuinness (“Sons of Ulster Marching to the Somme”) will take part in the Full Length Amateur Drama Festival Circuit in Munster this Spring as well as returning for two nights only on the 25th
and 26th February at the Naval Base Theatre.

The Tony Award-nominated play, directed by David Barrett, was initially inspired by the experiences
of hostages Brian Keenan and John McCarthy, McGuinness’ play focuses on the trials and
tribulations of three very different men who are kidnapped and held hostage in Lebanon.

Frank McGuiness explores the difficult relationships among an Irishman, an American and an
Englishman taken hostage in Lebanon during the early 1990s. With nowhere to hide and only
each other to turn to, the three men ultimately find the support they must cling to in order to
survive. Sometimes hilarious, often moving, always compelling, “Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me” is
a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit. Inspired by events surrounding Brian Keenan’s
abduction in Beirut, this timeless classic has been described as “heart-renderingly compassionate” as
well as “uproariously funny”, and is an absolute must-see for fans of Theatre and first-timers alike.

Brian Keenan said on seeing the play ‘A life enhancing interaction of human souls becomes a fleshy
and substantial thing. Frank McGuinness with his words and imaginative power walked into a
place ‘where angels fear to tread’ and came out dazzling. From that beginning I knew this was to be
an uproarious celebration.’

The play stars three of Haulbowline Theatre Groups finest actors, Tony O’Hanlon as
Adam(“The Field”, “Sing to Me Through Open Windows” “Rumours”), Shane Coleman as
Edward(“Canaries”, “California Suite”, “WaterWorks”) and Pat Mahony as Michael (“The
Field”, “Lend Me a Tenor”, “A Flea in Her Ear”). Most recently the trio collaborated on the hugely
successful and popular “Not Now Darling” Tony (Gilbert Bodley) and Shane (Arnold Crouch) and
with Pat Mahony in the director’s seat. With a tally of over Forty Best Actor awards on the National
Amateur Theatre Festival Circuit among them, this is a very dynamic cast.

With a string of Best Actor awards to his name, David Barrett who also starred in “Not Now Darling”
(Harry Mc Michael) turns his hand to directing “Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me”, having caught the
bug in his very successful directorial debut in Haulbowline Theatre Group’s production of “California
Suite” (Neil Simon) last autumn.

Described by Brian Keenan as a play that made him laugh and cry and hold himself, “Someone
Who’ll Watch over Me” by Frank McGuinness again promises to be an exceptional production at the
Haulbowline Naval Base and it runs for two nights only on the 25th and 26th February (Tickets are
on sale from Gibbs Pharmacy, English’s Card Shop, Cobh and Cobh Pharmacy or Walsh’s Chemist
in Carrigaline , or telephone bookings call 086 – 3388942, tickets are priced €12.
Curtain up 8pm nightly). “Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me” also appears at the following full length
drama festivals – Ballyduff 3rd March, Castleisland 10th March, Charleville 11th March, Claremorris 15th
March and Rossmore on the 18th March. For more details log onto www.haulbowlinetheatregroup.ie