Drama Group planning for the day they can get back on stage
The Banteer Drama Group was established in 1990 by Seamus O’Keeffe, Dan Duggan, and Denis O’Connell who, while chatting over a pint came up with the notion of staging a play.
They gathered a group and produced two one act plays in the local Community Centre. Although the group was drawing capacity crowds to the centre, they realised that it was not the most suitable venue for drama, and began seeking a new home for the group.
Needless to say, the Drama Group settled in to their permanent home after the Glen Theatre opened in 1996.
The Banteer Drama Group has travelled to many places down through the years, in its first season, the group toured ‘ The Field’ around the county, performing in Banteer, Killavullen, Doneraile, Cloghroe, Glanmire and Dromtarriffe.
Since then there have been many national and international trips with performances in Charleville, Castlelyons, Scartaglen, Listowel, Effin, Rossmore, Haulbowline, Leitrim, Armagh, Newtownards, London, Manchester, Luton, Bournemouth and High Wycombe.
The Drama group has also been a great supporter of charities and fundraisers, with proceeds from their plays benefiting numerous local causes over the years.
Drama Group Chairman Tadhg O’ Keeffe sets the stage for the twice yearly productions that are eagerly anticipated by so many people.
“We were ready to go with our 2020 Spring Play ‘ The Maiden Aunt’ and actually sold out for the Saturday and Sunday nights on the week we decided to close,” Tadhg told The Corkman.
“It was hugely disappointing for all the cast who had put in so much work. I would be concerned about the prolonged closure because it’s difficult to keep a group together and 12-months is a long time of not being on stage,” he said.
An added disappointment both for the cast and audiences was the cancellation of ‘ The Cause’, a play chronicling the burning of Cork penned by John Deady, a Banteer native now living in Douglas.
“We had rehearsed this great play during the summer months with a cast of seven when lock down was lifted, it was due to run last autumn on the centenary of the burning but of course had to be cancelled due to continuing restrictions,” said Tadhg.
In anticipation of a brand new chapter in 2021, ‘Don’t Dress for Dinner’ is on the groups spring drama menu.
For now, like everything else, it’s on hold.
However, Tadhg indicated that this play and also ‘ The Cause’ will also be staged when life returns to normal.
The Glen Theatre will reach its significant 25th Anniversary milestone in November and both Rory, Tadhg, and everyone involved in the running of this popular venue are looking towards a brighter dawn.
“We hope to be up and running by then and we’ll be delighted to welcome all our patrons back for a feast of drama and music,” said Tadhg.