Waterford groups are tops at 66th North Cork Drama Festival
Groups from County Waterford took the honours in both the open and confined categories in the North Cork Drama Festival this year.
Ballyduff Drama Group won the open category of the 66th event, which concluded in Charleville on last Saturday night, with their production of ‘Albertine in Five Times’ by Michel Tremblay, winning for them the premier award of the festival, the Brian McMahon Trophy.
The runner-up was Corofin Drama Group’s presentation of John B. Keane’s ‘Big Maggie’ which attracted the biggest house of this year’s festival, again demonstrating the magical draw of a Keane production. In third place was Gorey Little Theatre Group’ staging of ‘Unbroken Circle’ by James Wesley.
The team from Curtain Call Productions, Dungarvan won the confined section with their production of ‘Some Girls’ by Neil LaBute from Skibbereen Drama Group who staged Abigail’s Party by Mike Leigh. In third place was Conna Drama Group with ‘Caught in the Net’ by Ray Cooney.
Special awards went to Ger Canning, the director of the winning Ballyduff group in the open section, while the award for the best producer in the confined section went to Fidelma Meaney.
The John Meade Memorial Trophy for best set in the open section went to Corofin ‘s John Clancy and the best set in the confined category went to Curtain Call Productions Dungarvan.
Corofin took the award for an outstanding moment of theatre and Gorey Little Theatre’s Halle McQuade was adjudged the most promising young actress of the festival.
The award for best costume went to Curtain Call Productions, while Corofin won the award for the most entertaining production with Big Maggie.
The best actor award was won by Mick Loughnane for his role of Mick in the Ennis production of ‘Stolen Child’ in the open section, while the best actress award went to Mary Bowe as Elvira in Thurles Drama Group’s production of ‘Blithe Spirit.’
The best supporting actor in the open section was won by Neil Haran who played Teddy Heelin in Corofin’s production of ‘Big Maggie,’ and the best supporting actress was Eileen Lahiffe for her role of Mrs Madden also in ‘Big Maggie.’
The best actor award in the confined section went to Brian Carey who played Pato Dooley in Kilworth Drama Group’s production of ‘ The Beauty Queen of Leenane,’ and Vanessa Hyde, for her role of Lindsey in the Curtain Call production of ‘Some Girls.’
The adjudicator for the festival was Michael Poynor, GoDA.