First play in RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival takes to stage tonight
The RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival formally gets underway tonight, with the first of the nine competing plays taking to the stage in the Dean Crowe Theatre.
The 2023 All Ireland Drama Festival is a very special year as the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland founded in Athlone in 1953 is celebrating its 70th anniversary.
A busy schedule of festival fringe events are already underway. curated by committee member Brian Toolan, grows from strength to strength! The fringe seeks to expand the reach of arts and culture and involve the wider community in an informal, fun and accessible way.
One of the pearls of the fringe, the TY Schools Playwright competition, is now in its 10th year. A recent addition is the Athlone Film Festival which featured six short films and attracted a record attendance at the weekend.
Drama fans will be spoilt for choice with three other theatrical offerings. First up are Cavan group, Millrace Drama, who will present the hilarious comedy ‘Dancing at Lunacy’ on 30 April. The Northern Ireland (one act) winning play, ‘A little something for the ducks’ will be performed by Theatre 3, on May 5. And on the final day of the fringe, May 6, Blue Hat from Cork, will perform their hilarious All-Ireland (one act) winning play ’A Dog’s Life’ will be performed by. Readers can rest assured that no animals were hurt in the making of this play.
Athlone shop owners are to be commended on the high standard as they compete to win the award for the best window display. The town is looking its best after being decorated with flowers, banners, and flags installed by volunteers.
While the fringe is supported by the council and the drama festival it could not function without the goodwill and volunteers from community groups and this is why it can offer reduced cost and free events.
Meanwhile, the full list of play competing in the 2023 festival is below.
Be aware tickets are sold out for the majority of plays.
Thursday, April 27, 8pm
BALLYDUFF DRAMA GROUP
“THE WELKIN”
By Lucy Kirkwood. Directed by Ger Canning
Friday, April 28, 8pm
NEWPOINT PLAYERS
“HAPPY DAYS”
By Samuel Beckett. Directed by Seán Treanor.
Saturday, April 29, 8pm
DUNDALK THEATRE WORKSHOP
“FAITH HEALER””
By Brian Friel. Directed by Bernard Dunne.
Sunday, April 30, 8pm
THURLES DRAMA GROUP
“THE SEAFARER”
By Conor McPherson. Directed by Margaret McCormack.
Monday, May 1, 8pm
DALKEY PLAYERS
“BY THE BOG OF CATS”
By Marina Carr. Directed by Emma Jane Nulty.
Tuesday, May 2, 8pm
PROSPEROUS DRAMATIC SOCIETY
“OLEANNA”
by David Mamet and directed by TJ Duggan
Wednesday, May 3, 8pm
WEXFORD DRAMA GROUP
“THE FATHER”
Written by Florian Zeller, translated by Christoper Hampton. Directed by Paul Walsh.
Thursday, May 4, 8pm
BALLYSHANNON DRAMA SOCIETY
“A DELICATE BALANCE”
By Edward Albee
Friday, May 5, 8pm
BUTT DRAMA CIRCLE
“DARKNESS ECHOING””
by Shaun Byrne