The 2009 Roscommon Drama Festival is gearing up to be another unmissable event with nine nights of fantastic drama and competition kicking off on Friday March 6 in Roscommon Arts Centre.
This year’s adjudicator is Dara Carolan, an accomplished actor, director, and playwright who has appeared at The Abbey Theatre, The Gaiety, and The Olympia over the years. As an adjudicator, Dara has a wealth of experience, having previously presided over festivals in both Ireland and Europe.
The festival will be officially opened by recently retired county manager, John Tiernan on Friday March 6 and is a major showcase for amateur drama, with groups from Wexford, Carrigallen, Claregalway, Cork, Glenamaddy, Galway, Dunmore, and Corofin performing a wonderful mix of plays as they compete for awards and nominations to the All-Ireland finals.
March 6: Kevin’s Bed by Bernard Farrell. Cornmill Theatre Group (Carrigallen ).
March 7: The Wake by Tom Murphy. Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group (Wexford ) ).
March 8: The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh. KATS Galway.
March 9: A Night In November by Marie Jones. Shoestring Theatre Company (Charleville ).
March 10: All Souls’ Night by Joseph Tomelty. Glenamaddy Players.
March 11: Johnny Belinda by Elmer Blaney Harris. Compántas Lir (Claregalway ).
March 12: Conversations on a Homecoming by Tom Murphy. Dunmore Amateur Dramatic Society.
March 13: Sive by John B Keane. Corofin Dramatic Society.
March 14: Juno and the Paycock by Sean O’Casey. Kilmuckridge Drama Group.
For the third year running local sculptor Michael Fayne has designed and produced a collection of bog oak pieces which will go to the winners in the various categories. The perpetual award takes the form of a sculpture by Genesis Fine Arts in Mullingar entitled Four Seasons.
The specially priced season ticket (€85 ) can now be purchased, while tickets for individual performances are also available at €14/€12. Bookings can now be made at Roscommon Arts Centre on (090 ) 6625824. Full details on all aspects of the festival are available from www.roscommondramafestival.com
