Drama festival ready to launch stellar lineup over nine nights
IT’s all systems go this Friday for the launch of the annual Tubbercurry Western Drama Festival which kicks off in three weeks time.
Nine plays over eight nights, the festival is a highlight of the social calendar for drama lovers all over the country.
This year Blue Raincoat Theatre Company actor Ciarán McCauley will launch the festival in St Brigid’s Hall.
He’ll do the honours just after the Phoenix Players performance of the hilarious comedy ‘ The Sunshine Boys’ which opens at 8pm.
Festival goers are encouraged to seize the opportunity to find out about the plays which will be performed during the festival which opens on Friday 4 March and runs for nine nights.
The festival committee have said they’re “delighted there is something for everyone to enjoy, comedy, thrillers and very interesting dramas.”
Respected adjudicator John P Kelly is the Adjudicator chosen for the 2016 festival.
The Phoenix Players also present their play in St Brigids Hall on the 18th Feb.
The cast will present Neil Simons’ brilliant comedy produced by Ursula Brennan, featuring Tom Walsh and Pat Feely. The cast also includes Colin Callanan, Mary Barry, Nannette Mc Donagh and Grainne Brennan.
Tubbercurry Youth Theatre is back in action and will meet in St Brigids hall at 3: 30pm on each Sunday for the next five weeks for a very special show to be presented at the Western Drama Festival.
“There’s loads to look forward to - definitely the drama events will brighten up the winter and lure us out to meet and chat with our drama friends!” said Festival PRO Eileen Davey.
John P. Kelly has adjudicated on the circuits in Ireland, Scotland and Canada for over thirty years, officiating at all levels, twice at the All- Ireland Finals in Athlone and once at the finals in Scotland and also of late in Canada.
He has worked with the Abbey Theatre and RTE, starting out as a Radio Drama Producer and rising over the years to the position of Managing Editor of Features and Arts.
In the 90s, he worked with the European Broadcasting Union. He now has his own professional theatre company in Ottawa, Canada with which he has produced and directed nearly twenty plays since his arrival, besides working for other companies in the city.
For four consecutive years he was nominated by the Critics as Best Professional Director and won the award outright on two of those occasions.
Season tickets for the festival can be bought at Killorans, Teeling Street: 071- 9185679.
Season ticket holders will also have the chance to vote for what they believe is the best production on the final night of the festival.
“Our vice- Chair of the Western Drama Festival Oliver Flannery’s family donated the Audience Award which will be announced on Saturday March 12th,” Eileen told The Sligo Champion.
“Our adjudicator John P. Kelly is fantastic - people love to listen to his adjudications to see if they agree with him,” she said.