Ennis Players are set to transport audiences to the windswept wilds of Victorian England with their latest production, Jen Silverman’s darkly comic play ‘The Moors’, running from Tuesday 24th to Saturday 28th March 2026 at glór theatre in Ennis.
The drama group have the exciting prospect of ‘The Moors’ making its Irish premier having been performed in the USA and UK prior to now.
This bold and atmospheric dark comedy offers a fresh, contemporary twist on gothic literature, drawing inspiration from the Brontë sisters’ Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre while creating something entirely original and unexpected. Set on the Yorkshire moors in the mid-nineteenth century, the play follows Emilie, a young governess lured to a remote manor house under false pretences, where she finds herself among eccentric inhabitants. There are two strange sisters and a household where reality blurs with dark fantasy.
What begins as a familiar gothic tale quickly transforms into something far more unsettling and wickedly funny. An intriguing plot unfolds involving a family whose standing has perhaps diminished with the death of their father, the local parson, lonely sisters driven to distraction, and a conspicuously absent wayward brother. A scheme has been hatched to keep the sisters on top, but secrets unravel and the boundaries between sanity and madness, begin to dissolve.
“I’ve found everyone involved are so committed” said first-time Ennis Players director, Sandra Cox. Asking how to sum up the play Sandra professed “Its a lot of fun, there are a few dark elements(!), I think it’s entertaining and I’d like to think it would be quite memorable for people!” Sandra was a previous performer with Ennis Players some time ago and has had directing success with Corofin Dramatic Society having been involved with them for many years.
The production features a talented ensemble cast mixing experienced members with exciting newcomers. Caroline Morgan makes her debut with the group as the governess Emilie, while Kate Clohessy, who first appeared at last November’s Supper Theatre, takes on her first full-length role as Agatha. Clare Fitzsimons plays Huldy, seen in 2024’s one act play Dragonflies, and Sinéad Clancy, her third production with Ennis Players, tackles the challenges of Mallory. Tara Monaghan, remembered for her performance in Steel Magnolias in 2024, takes on the role of the Moorhen, while Seán McInerney (known locally from his performances with Ennis Musical Society and Shannon Musical Society) plays the Mastiff. Yes, there’s a dog.
Behind the scenes, the production boasts a strong experienced crew combined with fresh talent. Niamh Stembridge ventures into sound design having turned her hand to lighting at Supper Theatre. Ennis Players have been lucky to engage the talents and skills of Emer O’Flaherty who arranged the music for featured songs and local choreographer Laura Jane Allis devised movement for key dramatic scenes to name a few who have helped the play.
Speaking about the upcoming production, Kieran Martin, chairperson of Ennis Players and the show’s lighting engineer, said: “”It has been wonderful to see the dedication and passion that everyone involved has poured into this production. We are delighted to have Sandra on board as Director and her vision for the play has been exciting to watch develop. The fact that we are bringing ‘The Moors’ to Irish audiences for the very first time, with so many talented women leading both the performance and the production itself, plus the welcome addition of one new man, is something the whole group is immensely proud of.”
The drama group are very fortunate in having many patrons and friends whose contribution support Ennis Players and help it to grow. Equally our loyal audiences have turned out in vast numbers year on year helping make each production a success. We had sell-out performances at our recent 40th Supper Theatre in the Old Ground hotel in Ennis, and it was a delight to see old and new supporters and friends.
Over the years, Ennis Players has raised over €100,000 for local and national charities. This year, Tuesday night’s performance will benefit Liam Ashe’s, Balò Children Ireland Fund.
Performances run Tuesday 24th to Saturday 28th March at glór, Ennis. Tickets are €20/€18 concessions plus €1 booking fee, available on glór’s box office 065 684 3103 or the glór website. www.glor.ie We expect tickets to sell out fast.
Ennis Players has been entertaining the community for over 50 years and continues its tradition of bold, quality theatre with this never-seen-before, genre-defying production that promises to challenge, entertain, and linger long after the final curtain.