Main pic: The cast of the Butt Drama Circle\u2019s production of \u2018I Do Not Like Thee, Dr Fell\u2019.<\/p>\n
The Butt Drama Circle brings Bernard Farrell\u2019s wonderfully unpredictable black comedy \u2018I Do Not Like Thee, Dr Fell\u2019 to the Balor Theatre next week.<\/p>\n
It has rightly been described as a play that keeps its audience guessing from start to finish.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Directed by Bernie Thompson, this production has a stellar cast in Jack Quinn, Ken Lillis, Jean Curran, Niall McGonagle, Rachel Marley, Mickey McMahon, and Daireen McMenamin.<\/p>\n
We begin with Paddy (Jack Quinn), the group attendant whose job is simply to lock the participants in for an overnight \u201cencounter therapy session\u201d and stay well clear of whatever unfolds inside. When Joe Fell (Niall McGonagle) arrives, Paddy is convinced he\u2019s far too ordinary for this crowd \u2014 though it soon becomes clear that nothing about Joe is quite as it seems.<\/p>\n
Inside the room, the group is led by American Suzy Bernstein (Rachel Marley), an endlessly enthusiastic coordinator who encourages honesty and openness, although the audience might be left to wonder whether Suzy is exactly who she claims to be.<\/p>\n
Roger (Ken Lillis), as a veteran of the Encounter Therapy groups brings a flair for drama and self\u2011analysis, is always searching for the next great breakthrough. Peter (Mickey McMahon) arrives bristling with suspicion, while his wife Maureen (Daireen McMenamin) tries her best to keep the peace but occasionally stirs things up without quite meaning to. Rita (Jean Curran), sweet, simple and utterly devoted to the memory of her late husband, adds her own unique perspective to the night\u2019s increasingly bizarre revelations.<\/p>\n
Directed by Bernie Thompson, the play never settles into one tone for long \u2014 it shifts, swerves, and contradicts itself in the most entertaining ways. Whether you find it odd, funny, unsettling, or all three at once, it\u2019s a great night out.<\/p>\n
First staged in 1979 at the Peacock Theatre \u2014 with a young Liam Neeson in the cast \u2014 \u2018I Do Not Like Thee, Dr Fell\u2019 was Farrell\u2019s first full\u2011length play. Its sharp humour and playful jab at self\u2011help culture have kept it popular for decades.<\/p>\n
I Do Not Like Thee, Dr Fell is at the Balor Arts Centre on Thursday 5th, Friday 6th, and Saturday 7th February at 8pm. Tickets (\u20ac15) are available from the Balor Arts Centre at 074 9131840 or balorartscentre.com.<\/p>\n
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Butt Drama Circle brings \u2018I Do Not Like Thee, Dr Fell\u2019 to Balor stage was last modified: January 29th, 2026 by Staff Writer<\/p>\n
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