Conna enjoy their All-Ireland weekend
The director of Conna Drama Group’s one-act play, Paul Murphy and his charges, travelled to Ennis at the weekend where they participated for the first time ever in the All-Ireland one-act finals there.
The group were drawn to perform David Tristram’s play, ‘The Extraordinary Revelations of Orca The Goldfish’ in the last slot on the Sunday afternoon and while they had some technical issues with lighting (through no fault of their own), Mary O’Connor and Brendan Hurley came away with two nominations for best acting awards.
It was a memorable weekend for the group and their supporters and an experience that will stand them in good stead into the future.
It was a wonderful weekend of drama in the lovely Glór Theatre, with eleven plays in all, 6 open and 5 confined, staged over four sittings.
Few if any would fall out with Geoff O’Keeffe’s adjudication and final decision which saw Butt Drama Group from Ballybofey, Co Donegal take the top spot in the open section with their offering of ‘In Other Words’ by Matthew Seager, a riveting, yet heartbreaking piece of theatrical magic that also saw both actors sweep the best actor/ best actress awards.
Rasper Players (Wexford/Dublin) were second with ‘Naoimi In The Living Room’ by Christopher Durang followed in third place by Gunpowder Productions (Ballincollig).
The confined winners were adjudged to be Phoenix Players Tubbercurry with their presentation of ‘Plaza Suite’ by Neil Simon (2nd act). The group’s Terri Brenna also took the best actress award. In second place were Navan with ‘Normal’ by Caitriona Daly followed by Gunpowder Productions from Ballincollig with their presentation of ‘This Is A Play’ by Daniel McIvor.
Our thanks to Ennis Players who hosted the event for giving us a truly great weekend of drama from the best groups in the country.
Roll on next spring and the full-length festival run.