Thrilling nine nights of theatre come to an end for Fermanagh Drama Festival
ENNISKILLEN Drama Festival 2024 closed on Saturday night, after nine nights of fascinating theatre performed by groups from both sides of the Border.
The festival was a triumph for Ballyshannon Drama Society who picked up Best Open Play, both Best Actor awards, the Audience Award, Best Sound Design, Best Open Director and were also announced as Overall Winners. Clontarf Players came a very close second with their moving play Radium Girls and Bridge Drama third with The Wake.
There was triumph in the confined category for local players, Enniskillen Theatre Company, who picked up Best Confined Play and director, Ena Trimble was awarded best director in the open competition for their outstanding production of The Lonesome West by Martin Mcdonagh.
This year’s festival saw the best audience numbers since the pandemic and many took part in the festival dress code competition throughout the week. They enjoyed the nightly adjudication of Aodh Mccay who both entertained and informed.
Thomas O’reilly, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC) introduced the awards ceremony and gave thanks to the festival director
Dave Rees and the committee for their hard work and long hours and went on to emphasise the importance of the dramatic arts within the community and the plans the festival has for the future.
Dave Rees gave thanks to the audience that support the festival, FODC for their sponsorship and their officers’ advice and support, the theatre staff, John Roche and Oisin Maguire of Tully Mill who catered the festival, the local business sponsors nightly show sponsors, Crudden and Dolan, O’doherty’s, The Credit Union, Lochside Garages, Tracey Concrete, Gordon Robinson Property Sales, and festival sponsors
Modern Tyres, Encirc, Experience Enniskillen and The Killyhevlin
Hotel.
Enniskillen Drama Festival doesn’t stop now the festival is over and the festival is now seeking to run a One Act Festival at the end of October, as well as establish workshops in the county focusing on acting, directing, lighting and sound and also playwriting as well as sessions looking at how to set up and run a community drama group.
Festival Director Dave Rees said: “There is a lot of work to be done and we are looking to develop drama skills and groups, the benefits in terms of emotional and mental well-being are huge and it brings the community together.
“We are also looking to apply to host the All Ireland Finals in 2030 which would be a wonderful opportunity for us as a county, bring many visitors to the area, and showcase beautiful Fermanagh and our skills and qualities.”
Full list of winners at Enniskillen Drama Festival 2024:
Sound design: ‘Margaret’, Ballyshannon Drama Society
Audience Award: ‘Margaret’, Ballyshannon Drama Society
Young Actor: Lara Keery, ‘Gaslight’, Clarence Players
Best Moment of Theatre: ‘The Wake’, Bridge Drama
Best Lighting: ‘Radium Girls’, Clontarf Players
Best Setting: ‘In The Shadow of the Glen Reimagined’, Newpoint Players
Best Irish Play in an Irish Setting: ‘The Wake’. Bridge Drama
Supporting Actor in a female role: Emer Hoy, ‘Radium Girls’, Clontarf Players
Supporting Actor in a male role: Ken Murphy, ‘The Wake’, Bridge Drama
Best Actor (Female): Rachel O’connor, ‘Margaret’, Ballyshannon Drama Society
Best Actor (Male): Shaun Byrne, ‘Margaret’, Ballyshannon Drama Society
Best Director (Confined): Ena Trimble, ‘The Lonesome West’, Enniskillen Theatre Company
Best Director (Open): Monica Doherty, ‘Margaret’, Ballyshannon Drama Society
Best Play (Confined): ‘The Lonesome West’, Enniskillen Theatre Company
Best Play (Open): ‘Margaret’, Ballyshannon Drama Society
Blue Riband Overall Winner: ‘Margaret’, Ballyshannon Drama Society.