Theatre returns to Claregalway again this week with the annual Claregalway Festival of Drama which commences this Saturday March 11 and will see eight of the country’s top amateur drama groups compete for qualification to the All Ireland finals in Athlone and Glenamaddy.
This year, the festival boasts an outstanding array of plays to suit all tastes. It has a strong Irish playwright presence with Oscar-nominated writer Martin McDonagh’s A Skull in Connemara expected to be a highlight of the festival.
Each night a new group will present their play in a beautifully created theatre with tiered seating, refreshments area and festival club. The festival has been running since 1982 and is seen as a focal point of the amateur theatre year in county Galway with patrons travelling from across the county and further to attend.
The festival will open with a performance of The Night Alive by Conor McPherson. Each night the plays will be adjuducated by Michael Poynor who will analyse the production and offer audiences an insight into what goes into creating each piece of theatre.
Tickets can be purchased on the door each night but booking is advised through the dedicated booking line. 087 381 0579.
March 11 - The Night Alive by Conor McPherson (Bunclody/Klmyshall DG )
March 12 - A Skull in Connemara by Martin McDonagh (Holycross/Ballycahill DG )
March 13 - The Pitchfork Disney by Philip Ridley (Salmon Eile DG )
March 14 - The Kings of the Kilburn High Road by Jimmy Murphy (Ray Leonard Players )
March 15 - Stolen Child by Bairbre Ni Chaoimh and Yvonne Quinn (Corofin DS )
March 16 - The Seafarer by Conor McPherson (Thurles DG )
March 17 - The Welkin by Lucy Kirkwood (Ballyduff DG )
March 18 - By The Bog of Cats by Marina Carr (Dalkey Players )
