Claregalway Community Centre will once again be transformed into a cosy theatre for the 35th Annual Claregalway Drama Festival when the curtain opens tonight Thursday March 16 and runs until Friday 24th inclusive.
Every year the Festival brings a mix of new and exciting plays as well as some old favourites to the audiences and this year is no different. Some of the best amateur drama groups from around the country will come to Claregalway to perform their various productions in their bid to qualify for the All Ireland Drama Finals.
This year it features three Galway groups, DADS from Dunmore, Glenamaddy Players and last year’s All Ireland Confined winners Compántas Lir from Claregalway. Organisers also welcome groups from Dublin, Clare, Leitrim and Sligo. There is a play to suit all tastes and the wide variety of plays is part of what keeps audiences returning year after year.
Speaking at the launch of the festival in the Claregalway Hotel, Festival Director John Brennan acknowledged the generous support of all our sponsors. The festival is entirely self-funded and so relies heavily on the continuing support of the local businesses and organisations, who are always forthcoming and willing in their sponsorship of the event.
As always, the on-site Festival Club gives patrons an opportunity to enjoy a drink or complimentary refreshments and home baking after the play, where you can join the Festival adjudicator Ms Paula Dempsey and the committee for a chat about each night’s performance.
On the final night, Ms Dempsey will have the daunting task of picking the winning plays and performances from the nine nights of drama over the course of the Festival.
Tickets are very keenly priced at €10 for a nightly ticket or just €60 for a season which will gain entry to the full festival. Although tickets are available at the door, booking in advance is advised to avoid disappointment.
Doors open nightly at 7.30pm and the show starts at 8pm sharp.
The full line-up is:
Thurs 16th The Odd Couple by Neil Simon, performed by DADS
Fri 17th Dead Man’s Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl, performed by Dalkey Players
Sat 18th The Night Alive by Conor McPherson, performed by Doonbeg Drama Group
Sun 19th By the Bog of Cats by Marina Carr, performed by Glenamaddy Players
Mon 20th The Cripple of Inishmann by Martin McDonagh, performed by Corofin Drama
Tues 21st The Colleen Bawn by Dion Boucicault, performed by Ennis Players
Weds 22nd The Third Policeman by Flann O Brien, performed by Phoenix Players
Thurs 23rd The Birds by Conor McPherson, performed by Compántas Lir
Fri 24th Philidelphia Here I Come by Brian Friel, performed by Corn Mill Theatre Group
For tickets or more information, contact the Festival Secretary on 0868981731 or visit us at www.claregalwaydrama.com or on Facebook.
