Marrying Mike

This year’s annual play from the Benevolent Irish Society of PEI, Marrying Mike, is a comedy by playwright Jimmy Keary of County Westmeath, Ireland. The production is presented as part of the BIS’s first annual PEI Irish Festival. Performances will be held at the Irish Cultural Centre in Charlottetown on March 20–21 and 27–28 at 7:30 pm, with matinees on March 22 and 29 at 2:30 pm.

The play is produced by Mary Ellen Callaghan and directed by PEI theatre veteran Paul Whelan, with assistance from stage manager Barbara Rhodenizer. It features a cast of local actors.

The entire action takes place in the living room of middle-aged crofter and farmer Mike Fogarty (played by Vernon Campbell). Elderly bachelor Mike, who has land and money despite appearances to the contrary, suddenly announces he is looking for a wife. His scheming friend Barney O’Toole (Thane Clarke) decides his sister Colette (Shelley Tamtom) would be an ideal candidate. Both Barney and Colette are determined it will be a very short marriage. Mike’s friend Kate O’Sullivan (Laura Stapleton) discovers the scheme and rushes to the rescue—but Mike is a hard man to save from himself.

The venue is wheelchair-accessible. Tickets (general seating only) are available via Locarius.io, an Island-based ticketing company. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

For more information about the play and the full schedule of PEI Irish Festival events Island-wide, visit benevolentirishsocietyofpei.com.