Beezneez Theatre Company

26/12/2025

'Er indoors got our gifted designer Jeanette Dunne to do this for me for Christmas. I'm blessed with the women in my life although I think this knocks the comeback on the head. If you zoom in you'll see Jeanette has incorporated all Beezneez productions.

29/09/2025

Another sad day with the news that our old friend, Angus Dunne has slipped away from us in his 100th year. A gifted set designer, director and reluctant actor, Angus, as well as his constant devotion to The Breffni Players, was a significant contributer to the early success of Beezneez Theatre Company for whom he designed and built sets until the years caught up with him and he wanted to remain at base. More importantly, his belief and encouragement were of significant value to the company in the early, uncertain days.
We have lost a dear frined but, more than that, Breda has lost a beloved husband and John, Alan, Eveline and Ailbhe have lost a loving and devoted father and our thoughts are with them at this sad and difficult time.
"The blinds is down, Joxer, the blinds is down"

24/03/2025

Saddened this evening to hear of the passing of Michael Joe Ginnelly, author of A WAKE IN THE WEST, which was a huge box office success for us when we toured it. Michael Joe always, kindly, attributed the subsequent success of the play to our production. He was a humble, generous and kindly man and our sympathies go to his family and friends.

16/03/2025

We are greatly saddened by the news that our great and lovely friend, Cathy Maidment has passed away. Cathy was with us from 1999, when she starred in Move Over Mrs. Markham and, in following years, she played in and stage managed many productions. Cathy was a total joy to be around and our hearts are broken for Jim, their family and for her beloved sister, Noreen Hawkins . Rest easy, lovely lady.

14/02/2025

Just a tip. As we move into primary Drama season, if you are posting on Facebook and your show is full, put a gap between sold and out, like this- sold...out. That way the scammers are not alerted and you won't be persecuted by low life's selling non existent tickets.

07/02/2025

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29/12/2024

Our hearts are broken by this news. Such a gifted actor and a personality of such warmth that she lit up every room she walked into. Our hearts go out to Sean and their children. May her gentle and lovely soul rest in peace.

Ballyshannon Drama Society is devastated by the passing this morning of Rachel O Connor.
Rachel was an inspiration to us all as our secretary, as a director and award winning actress. She was a driving force behind everything both on and off stage.
We extend our deepest sympathy to her husband Sean , her children Sophie, Lauren and Ross and her sisters and brother.Their loss is deepened by the passing yesterday of Sean’s father John.
Rest in peace Rachel

03/09/2024

My friends, we will not go again or ape an ancient rage,
Or stretch the folly of our youth to be the shame of age,
But walk with clearer eyes and ears this path that wandereth,
And see undrugged in evening light the decent inn of death;
For there is good news yet to hear and fine things to be seen,
Before we go to Paradise by way of Kensal Green.

G K Chesterton

(Hugh Leonard - A Life)

30/08/2024

THE CARNIVAL IS OVER………….
After twenty eight years and 40 tours of 28 plays, I have decided that it is time for Beezneez to pack the saddlebags and ride off into the sunset. I have been thinking for some time that it would be nice to take the company out on a high and it would be difficult to get much higher than two sold out national tours of The Pension Plan.
The fact of the matter is that the mileage on my life clock indicates that the dashboard could light up at any time. I think it was the journalist, Proinsias MacAonghusa, who, when asked how he was feeling, replied that he felt like the front page of the Census Form - broken down by age, s*x and religion. If I were a bingo ball, I would be two little walking sticks and it’s time I should be, as my mother used say, ‘at home in the house, praying for a happy death’.
There are so many people I need to thank that, in case I offend by omission, I am not going to thank any individual - bar one. I must thank Josephine who surely must have thought and hoped that I would come to my senses but who was always unstinting with her support and encouragement. I must also recognise set designers, set builders, poster designer, light and sound technicians and most of all, the countless actors who put their reputations on the line by walking into what was probably the most non PC rehearsal room in the World. This company only worked because no one sought or were paid a wage but we tried, at all times, to ensure that we were able to cover participants expenses. It was, and remains, a daft idea and no one has any idea how it worked – but it did.
I am very conscious of the great friends who are no longer with us. John Caheny, Brian Carty, Peter Davey, Angus Dunne, Columb McBride, Cathy Maidment, Nicola Morrison, Padraic Neary and Jim Williamson. All gone but never forgotten. May their gentle and lovely souls rest in peace.
Lastly, our wonderful audiences who gave us their approval down all the years. I think the greatest compliment we were ever paid was by an audience member who told me all he needed to see on the poster was Beezneez.
The bad news is that I will now be concentrating on my writing and I shall inflict scripts upon any group or company daft enough to read them. I will maintain the Beezneez page in case there is anything that needs saying and, of course, my other page, the Plays of John McDwyer, will always be there. I have now handed over my play AN ORDINARY MAN to the care of Gerry Farrell, who made it what it is, and any enquiries re performance of that play should be directed to him at 087 634 1748. Tell him I sent you !
John McDwyer

24/08/2024