The amateur drama movement is a fundamental and integral part of Irish society and the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival has re-affirmed Athlone’s position as the Mecca for all theatre enthusiasts the length and breadth of the country.
Such were the sentiments expressed by Mayor Egbert Moran at a civic reception held by Athlone Town Council to honour the festival and its associates last Thursday.
Friday May 1
Kilmeen Drama Group will present The Kings of the Kilburn High Road by Jimmy Murphy. A touching look at a group of Irish emigrants in England as they review their past with mixed emotions. Kilmeen won the festival in 2006 and have appeared on 13 previous occasions winning several acting awards along the way.
Saturday May 2
Estuary Players are the current champions and will put up a strong defence of the title. The play, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot is a comical approach to the plight of history’s infamous betrayer. Playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis takes Judas’ case into modern times and asks “What if?”
Sunday May 3
Bradán Players made their debut appearance last year and came 3rd. They present Faith Healer by the master of modern Irish drama, Brian Friel. The play was last performed at Athlone in 1998 and tells an absorbing tale of a traveling healer.
Monday May 4
Bangor Drama Club were formed in 1936 and although the longest established group in the competition, have only appeared in Athlone on five previous occasions, most recently in 2007. Their play, True West by Sam Sheppard, examines the hostile relationship between two estranged brothers and is sure to have audiences at the edge of their seats. Shepard’s play Buried Child won the festival in 1991.
Tuesday May 5: Silken Thomas Players are now famous for taking amateur drama to its limits and beyond. They never baulk at a challenge even in the extreme. Equus by Peter Shaffer requires just that as his play explores the psychological background as to how a young 17-year-old maimed six horses while coming to terms with his own religious and sexual frustrations. Silken Thomas Players won the festival in 2007.
Wednesday May 6
Balally Players are the first of two debutantes at this years festival. Coming from Dundrum, Co Dublin, they have been in existence since 1982 and have had recent successes at All Ireland One-Act finals. They present Tom MacIntyre’s stage adaptation of Patrick Kavanagh’s epic poem The Great Hunger. Visually dramatic, this production will be a close contender in the awards distribution.
Thursday May 7
Bunclody/Kilmyshall from Wexford are also first-timers at Athlone, although producer Pat Connaughton is no stranger to the Athlone finals. The Roscommon native has been associated with Enniscorthy Theatre Group in the nineties and directed their third title-winning production in 1999. The Wake by Tom Murphy is a classic from the Tuam native and is a story of unfulfilled hopes and harsh realities.
Friday May 8
Shoestring Theatre Company has been knocking at the door of success for years and while they have featured prominently in the acting and technical awards over the years, the premier title has eluded them. They came second in 2004, but 2009 could be their year. Their production of Marie Jones’ A Night in November is spellbinding as one actor is required to play all 14 parts. It left audiences breathless on the qualifying circuit.
Saturday May 9
Theatre 3 from Newtownabbey, Co Antrim will close the festival with a welcome comedy in Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite. The group has had only one previous appearance at the finals and that was in 1988 with Ibsen’s Ghosts. Much of their success has been on the Ulster circuit and have represented the region at major festivals in the UK and Europe. The play follows the hilarious antics of the various guests who inhabit Suite 719 at the famous New York establishment.
Tickets are still available at the Dean Crowe Theatre on (090 ) 6492129 and at €15 a night for this unique representation of Irish and international drama, a truly rewarding and thrilling week of entertainment is guaranteed.
Look out for the range of fringe events which take place for free at various venues around town during the week. Full details on the festival website at www.dramafestival.ie
