Club President Jim Archer greets John McDowell, with club members Jim Nesbitt (L) and Danny Kennedy (R)

Talk by John McDowell with some 'Dramatic Stories and stage memories'
Coleraine Probus members were told some dramatic tales at the recent club meeting. Guest speaker for the meeting was John McDowell, who recounted some of his lighter moments from fifty years 'treading the boards' in amateur dramatics.

After graduating and starting a teaching career in Coleraine, John was asked if he could help the Killowen Drama Club stage a pantomime as they were short of men to take some of the parts. Rashly agreeing to the offer, John set out on a long but unpaid second career, of many stage highlights and promises that 'It will be alright on the night!'. John recalled some of his early pantomime appearances that were in front of wet, only just painted, scenery and no script - ad-libbing longer each night as he and the other cast remade the storyline.

As the Killowen club faded, John joined the Portrush Music Society, where he has been a member ever since. Although the early Portrush productions were in the Town Hall, a move to the newly opened 'Riverside Theatre' in the University enabled the Society to put on bigger and better presented shows. The Society were the first amateur company to appear at the Riverside and they, always with John, have continued to do so, like the special production of 'Titanic' in 2012…

John gets ready for his entrance…

Over 30 years ago the company staged 'Oliver', and this May from 6th to 14th they are putting it on again. Not only will John be appearing, but so will his son and his two grandchildren - three generations of the family in the same show - which must be some amateur dramatic record!

John told the members many short stories about incidents at the Riverside as well are taking part in various drama festivals around the province. These were particularly 'challenging' during 'the troubles' - encounters with men with balaclavas; power cuts at venues; late night drives and police checks, to say nothing of getting some real guns for a production of 'Annie get your gun'!!!!

At the end of the talk the vote of thanks was proposed by Jim Nesbitt, who's son had made his own life changing first appearance as 'The Artful Dodger' in that early production of 'Oliver' John had mentioned. Perhaps he would like to make an appearance in the new show, being a Portrush resident these days?!? -WebEd

Footnote: One thing John didn't mention was a visit he and his wife made to Dublin to a very notable figure - look what we found in the archives…