The 29th Claregalway Festival of Drama ended with the Best Overall Production won by Prosperous Dramatic Society for their presentation of “November” by David Mamet. Prosperous Dramatic Society also took the best play in the Open Section and Lurlene Duggan of Prosperous Dramatic Society took the Best Director (Open) award. Prosperous Dramatic Society also took the Best Actor award with Robert Massey taking the award for portraying the part of Charles Smith in of “November” by David Mamet. Zita McGarry Kelly who played the part of Clarice Bernstein in of “November” by David Mamet won the Best Supporting Actress award. The Best Actress Award in the Open Section went to Marian Petit of KATS (Knocknacarra Amateur Theatre Society) who played the title role in “Portia Coughlan” by Marina Carr. The Best Supporting Actor Award in the Open Section was won by Martin O Donohue of Corofin Dramatic Society for portraying the part of Michael Martin Geraty in “The Righteous are Bold” by Frank Carney.
In the Confined section Dunmore Amateur Dramatic Society DADS took the Best Play in their section with “The Good Father” by Christian O’Reilly. George Bruen took the Best Director Award in the Confined section. The Best Actor Award in the Confined Section went to Andrew Killeen of Doonbeg Drama Group who played the part of Mr Bradshaw in “Say Cheese” by Bernard Farrell. The Best Supporting Actor Award in the Confined Section was won by Vincent Moran of Compantas Lir for portraying the part of Ingram in “The Loves of Cass Maguire” by Brian Friel.
The Best Actress Award in the Confined Section went to Tracy Bruen of DADS for portraying the part of Jane in “The Good Father” by Christian O’Reilly. The Best Supporting Actress Award in the Confined Section was won by Rosin Kelly of Glenamaddy Players for portraying the part of Maggie in “Dancing at Lughnasa” by Brian Friel.
Adjudicator’s Award was won by Aoife Corry of Corofin Dramatic Society for her portrayal of Nora Geraty in “The Righteous are Bold” by Frank Carney. Best Stage Crew was won by Prosperous Dramatic Society for their presentation of “November” by David Mamet. Best Lighting was won by John Clancy of Corofin Dramatic Society for “The Righteous are Bold” by Frank Carney. Best Setting was won by KATS for “Portia Coughlan” by Marina Carr. Best Sound was won by Lisa Clancy of Corofin Dramatic Society for “The Righteous are Bold” by Frank Carney.
Speaking at the closing of the Claregalway Festival of Drama, Festival Director Seamus McNulty thanked the many people who had made the festival such a success. Special tribute was paid to the sponsors and advertisers. The Festival Director also paid special thanks to the children of Carnmore National School, Claregalway National School and Educate Together for the beautiful Art Work that they supplied for the 29th festival. Secretary Mary Kelly made a presentation to Festival President Mary Moran and to Adjudicator Irene O’Meara in appreciation of her contribution to Claregalway Festival of Drama. Many tributes were paid to the Festival committee for their huge efforts in the organising of making the festival such a mammoth success.
Compantas Lir in the Town Hall
Compantas Lir will perform ‘The Loves of Cass McGuire’ in the Town Hall Theatre, Galway on this coming Friday and Saturday, March 25th and 26th. Drama in Claregalway goes back to the 1930’s and after it died down Compantas Lir revived Drama in Claregalway in 1983. Compantas Lir have been on the festival circuit since 1986 and have reached the All Ireland finals on numerous occasions and are in the running to reach the All Ireland finals again this year.
The play is produced by Philip Cribbin and features a cast of some of Galway’s finest amateur actors. Ann Moran plays Mother, Dermot Hession plays Dom, Mike Hession plays Harry, Liz Hession plays Alice, Fidelma O’Rourke plays Cass, Vincent Moran plays Ingram, Carmel Kenny plays Trilbe, Paddy Greaney plays Pat, Ruth O’Driscoll plays Tessa and Brid Conneely plays Mrs Butcher.
It is a wonderful Brian Friel classic where for more than fifty years Cass Maguire has worked a block from Skid Row, among deadbeats and washouts — people who live in the past. This play deals with her return to Ireland and her genteel family’s rejection of her. It follows her lonely struggle to re-discover the home she’s dreamt of all her life and her eventual surrender to the make believe of Eden House. For those that have not seen this performance, it is a play that is not to be missed and Compantas Lir are to be warmly congratulated on their excellence with this production.
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