About 'All The Way Back'

The comedy, “All The Way Back” was written by Bernard Farrell and first produced at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, in March 1985.

It tells the hilarious tale of the turmoil that ensues in the Ryan household in an upmarket residential area of Dublin’s Southside, when the ever-practical Sheila Ryan decides on a course of action to boost the family’s depleted income. Her husband, Brendan, a middle-aged redundant executive, has been out of work for eighteen months and there is a big household to support, as they strive to keep up appearances.

Their rugby-playing son, Paul, works in the bank and is the main breadwinner, while the only other income is from a lodger called Mr. Mulligan, a man with a strange occupation and a dubious past. The Ryan’s other son, Michael, is a trained hairdresser, but unemployed, while flirty daughter Mary (15) is a schoolgirl who likes boys with motorbikes.

The household is completed by the eccentric spinster Aunt Catherine, sister of Brendan Ryan and chief critic of his wife, Sheila. Other characters include Northside builder Davis and his dim-witted son, Bimbo. Then, there is the well-heeled neighbour Bill Patterson, a former rugby international colleague of Brendan Ryan’s, who is held in awe by the latter – although Sheila is determined not to be taken in by him as the drama unfolds…

Skibbereen Theatre Society’s spring 1998 production of “All The Way Back” is produced and directed by Fachtna O’Driscoll. Its cast of fourteen features several newcomers to the stage, as well as a number of experienced players. It has been accepted for amateur drama festivals in Rossmore, Ballyduff, Castleisland and Charleville.