Dramatic end to Carnew festival
A TERRIFIC week of theatre finished at St Brigid’s Hall, Carnew, recently as the South Wicklow Drama Festival drew to a close.
Tension was high in the auditorium as adjudicator Michael Poynor considered all nine plays seen by packed houses during the festival. A win for one of two of the groups, Bunclody Kilmyshall, and Kilrush, would have helped them secure a place in the All Ireland final. In the end, it was Bunlody Kilmyshall’s night, as they also won in a festival in Newry on the same night, and went through to the finals.
Festival chairman Eamon Doran paid tribute to all the groups, and said the audiences were the main winners, such was the standard of the performances. Thanks went to all who helped and supported the festival, and the accompanying art exhibition in the former service station shop next door. Preparations have already begun for Carnew’s hosting of the All Ireland confined finals next year.
The results were as follows: Confined: 1, Sillan Players, ‘ The Trappe Family’; 2, Take 5, ‘ The Telephone Exchange’; 3, Lislea Drama Group, ‘Juno and the Paycock’. Best supporting actress, Deirdre Coulter, Lislea; best supporting actor, John Campbell, Lislea; best actress, Anne Garvey, Lislea; best actor, David Clarke, Sillan; best director, Paddy Donnelly, Sillan.
Open: 1, Bunclody Kilmyshall Drama Group, ‘Agnes of God’; 2, Bridge Drama, ‘An Inspector Calls’; 3, Kilrush, ‘Hedda Gabler.’ Best supporting actress, Anne Sheridan, Kilrush; best supporting actor, Matt Furlong, Kilmuckridge; best actress, Kate Power, Bunclody Kilmyshall; best actor, Paul Tobin, Bridge Drama; best director, Kieran Tyrrell, Bunclody, Kilmyshall.
Best comedy performance, Brendan Farrelly, Sillan; magic moment of theatre, the ‘ liar’ scene, Bunclody Kilmyshall; Audience Cup, Bunclody Kilmyshall; best presentation, Bridge Drama. Adjudicator awards: Gorey Little Theatre Group, Most challenging play in the open section for ‘ Tribes’; Take 5 Drama Group for most challenging play in the confined section for ‘ The Telephone Exchange’; and Eddie O’Brien of Gorey Little Theatre Group for best lighting.