Broadcast of ‘War Of The Worlds’ was theatrical heaven in Kilkenny

Community Radio Kilkenny City may have found a niche market for itself.

That’s because on Tuesday evening of last week, it broadcast a mesmerising radio play, writes Sean Keane.

It has to be said that the play in question, the iconic ‘War Of The Worlds’ by Orson Welles was an excellent choice for this inaugural radio presentation by the newly formed city based drama group, Lake Productions.

Many people like myself tuned in and were struck by the quality of the production, the sound effects and the American twangs of the all-Kilkenny cast for the play which was broadcast on the 80th anniversary of the first broadcast on October 30, 1938.

Direction was seamless thanks to Mary Cradock.

Besse P. Gephart was played with aplomb by Clare Gibbs

as was Miss Brown by Colette Browne.

For me, Mike Kelly was utterly believable as the narrator while Brendan Corcoran was as always marvellous.

Cathal McFarlane, Derek Dooley and Don O’Connor excelled and Joe Murray sounded like a real Yank.

Ger Cody was magic as was his old sidekick, Donal O’Brien.

This was the first time in a while I took time out to listen, uninterrupted, to a play on the radio .

It was heavenly, a rewarding hour and a bit on my own in the kitchen.

My fervent wish is for more of the same high class drama on the ‘wireless’.