Susan Buggle

When 2005 began, Masquerade were extremely busy in full flight rehearsing for Dancing at Lughnasa and for the entry into the Bray One-Act Festival.  Both of these productions were a tremendous success.  Little did I realise that shortly thereafter we would lose our dear friend and Chairperson, Susan.

Susan poured huge energy into keeping Masquerade alive during the years when we found it impossible to get a production off the ground.  Her determination was rewarded by our production of Brian Friel’s Philadelphia Here I Come which she directed with such aplomb and marked the beginning of a new and exciting era for Masquerade.

Susan pre-dated my entry into Masquerade and starred in many productions before we met in the production Street Car Named Desire.  She was both an excellent director and a superb actress.  I had the pleasure of being directed by her and directing her, in many productions. 

To me her finest hour was when she played Juno in O’Casey’s Juno and the Paycock.  When she delivered Juno’s final speech, at the end of the last act, I witnessed many members of the audience with tears in their eyes…..such was the power of her performance. 

Susan was our Chairperson, our driving force and above all else she was my very dear friend.  All of us in Masquerade miss her terribly, particularly this year as we began a new season of plays, knowing that she wouldn’t be coming through Christy’s door on Tuesday and Thursday nights for rehearsals, as she had done so often.  It is very difficult for us to accept she’s gone, but we know her spirit is with us every night. 

Without Susan’s commitment and love of drama, Masquerade and drama in Arklow would not be what it is today – a vibrant and growing environment for new talent. 

We all miss Susan dearly but she is always in our thoughts and prayers.

"Oh my darling Juno, I’ll be true to thee, Oh my darling Juno, you are all the world to me”  – O’Casey 

Kevin Duignan

October 2005