Edwina Cummins
Edwina has been dabbling in the performance world since she was a child running around her yard, putting on one-woman shows to entertain herself when she thought no-one was looking. Despite becoming a thespian in secondary school, she only officially went amateur when she joined the Watergate Theatre Company for their production of Little Red Riding Hood, in 2015. From there she joined Kilkenny Musical Society and hasn’t stopped since! Edwina is happy to frolic in any mode of entertainment. You can find her in a panto, a musical, a play, a concert; if you don’t see her somewhere on the stage, chances are she’s close by, either side-stage or FOH. Her favourite role to have played to-date is Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act in 2018 with KMS.
Edwina would like to thank everyone involved with KATS for all their hard work and dedication bringing this piece to life. It’s not an easy subject matter, but an important one.
Thank you to Patricia Burke Brogan for telling this story…her story.
1. What’s your favourite theatrical moment (on or off the stage)
John Travolta announcing Idina Menzel as Adele Dazeem at the 2014 Oscars
2. What spurred you to be involved in Eclipsed
I’ve been wanting to do a play since Scar Tissue in 2019 and the subject matter is too important to not want to be involved somehow. If I wasn’t on-stage, I would be side stage as part of the crew.
3. What’s your characters name full name
Amanda ‘Mandy’ Prenderville
4. What about your character can you relate to?
She tends to live in a dream world
5. What is your characters pet peeve
The others disdain for boys/men
6. What is your characters favourite food.
Frilly fried eggs and potato cakes
7. What is your characters favourite song.
Have I told you lately by Elvis, (Pretty much anything by Elvis)
Katie Monahan
Katie Monahan hails from County Galway and works as an assistant psychologist. She has completed a David Scott acting workshop. Katie was a member of East Galway Youth Theatre (EGYT) and during this time she played a small role in EGYT’s production of Moira Buffini’s A Vampire Story. In Eclipsed Katie plays the character of Juliet, an orphan who starts to work in the laundry. Katie was drawn to this character because of Juliet’s innocence. Katie is delighted to be performing in her first production with KATS theatre group.
What’s your favourite theatrical moment?
1. What’s your favourite theatrical moment (on or off the stage)
When your penchant all black clothing get you mistaken for waiting staff at a restaurant where you’re a customer.
2. What spurred you to be involved in Eclipsed
Hailing from county Galway and being keenly aware of the tireless activism and research of Catherine Corless on the Tuam mother-and-baby home definitely spurred me to get involved in Eclipsed. I believe that it is important to tell this story, one which is based on Ireland’s all too recent past and shines a light on the diabolical treatment of women and children.
3. What’s your characters name full name
Juliet Mannion
4. What about your character can you relate to?
I think that Juliet fears the unknown. She’s not quite sure what life is like on the outside but imagines that it could possibly, be even worse than in the orphanage or the laundry. I can relate to Juliet in the sense that I too have experienced some anxiety at times of major change and transition in my life (e.g., graduating from college and entering the working world, moving from one county to another).
5. What is your characters pet peeve
Juliet doesn’t like the sound of chalk on a chalk board.
6. What is your characters favourite food
Juliet’s loves oranges and gets one in her stocking at Christmas.
7. What is your characters favourite song
Juliet’s favourite song is ‘Moon River’ by Audrey Hepburn.
