 The Northern Ireland Players chose the stage version of Barnum is Right for their first major commercial venture at the Empire Theatre in June 1939.In 1940 the Northern Ireland Players joined forces with the Ulster Theatre and the Jewish Institute Dramatic Society to form the Group Theatre, and in 1942 Tomelty became its general manager remaining in the post until 1951.His play, "Idolatry at Innishargie", enjoyed a short run at the Group Theatre in 1942, but "The End House", a controversial political play, did not even appear there.