Ennis Players are preparing for a landmark season as the celebrated amateur drama group marks a number of major milestones: the 40th anniversary of their Supper Theatre, the 21st anniversary of their All-Ireland win with The Dandy Dolls, the 21st anniversary of performing on the Abbey stage, the 30th anniversary of winning the All-Ireland with Round and Round the Garden and the staging of their 100th one-act play.
Founded in the mid-1970s, Ennis Players quickly became a strong presence on the amateur drama scene. Each November, the Supper Theatre programme normally features a one-act play, a short sketch or ten-minute performance, followed by the group’s festival circuit play. However this year’s event will focus on the revival performance of the group’s award winning performance of ‘The Dandy Dolls’ to commemorate the anniversary of their All-Ireland win.
The evening also includes supper, raffles, and a social atmosphere that has made it a highlight of the Ennis social calendar. “Ennis audiences expect a good performance now,” says long-standing member Jackie Scanlan. “People look at it as being the start of the Christmas season.”
This year marks 40 years since the inception of their popular Supper Theatre, which began in 1985 and continues to take place each November at the Old Ground Hotel. It is also 21 years since Ennis Players won the All-Ireland One-Act Festival with The Dandy Dolls. To mark both of these anniversaries, the group will revive the play with almost all of the original cast and crew for this year’s Supper Theatre. Geraldine Greene, who will direct the revival, explains that the original cast was eager to return, drawn by the “fun and unique nature” of the play. She describes the production as a chance to reconnect with the spirit that made the original performance so memorable, while bringing it to a new generation of audiences.
The anniversary year also recalls other milestones. In 2004, Ennis Players were one of just four amateur groups invited to perform on the Abbey Theatre stage for its centenary, presenting Kathleen Ni Houlihan. In addition, this year will mark the group’s 100th one-act play. A full list of these productions will be published on their website and displayed at their events, providing a “stroll down memory lane” for longtime supporters.
For long-time members, the anniversary year is also a moment of reflection. Jackie Scanlan, who joined the group in 1979, described his journey with Ennis Players as a “natural progression” from his childhood love of set dancing. He has witnessed the group evolve from a small circle of Ennis natives to a thriving, diverse collective that now attracts participants from all over Clare and beyond. “It’s a social outlet,” he said, recalling how drama not only gave him confidence but also forged lifelong friendships. He emphasised that newcomers don’t need prior experience, noting, “There’s room for everyone, whether on stage, backstage, or front of house. Generally anyone that does join enjoys it.”
Hugh Gallagher, another veteran member, fondly recalls his first role with the group back in 1974. For him, the magic of live performance has always been at the heart of Ennis Players’ appeal. “A live performance is different from TV,” he said. “Audiences are more into the story. We have developed a very loyal following over the years. A live performance is what makes our group special. It connects with people.” Hugh will also be reprising his role in The Dandy Dolls, a play he describes as “most unusual” and one that delighted audiences the first time around. He adds that each performance has challenged him in different ways, citing roles in which he had to navigate physical limitations, rely on voice and expression alone, and engage audiences through nuanced storytelling.
Since its establishment in the mid-1970s, Ennis Players has solidified itself as an integral part of the amateur drama scene in County Clare. Since the mid-1980s, they have competed on both the One-Act and Full-Length festival circuits, winning All-Ireland titles in both confined and open categories. The group has hosted the All-Ireland One-Act Drama Finals multiple times, most recently in 2021 at glór theatre, demonstrating their standing as a hub for amateur drama in Ireland. Beyond national success, Ennis Players have represented Ireland internationally, touring to events such as the Canadian Folklorama in Winnipeg, the Bailiwick Theatre in Chicago, the Atheneum Theatre in Melbourne, the Princess Grace Theatre in Monaco, the Liverpool International Theatre Festival in Nova Scotia, and the Milwaukee Irish Fest. Among their notable award-winning productions are Round and Round the Garden in 1995, Lone Star 2001, The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh in 2002, and The Dandy Dolls in 2004.
In addition to this year’s celebrations The Ennis Players are hosting an Open Night on Tuesday, September 23, at 7:30pm at Unit 9, Doora Industrial Estate, Quin Road, Ennis. The event is designed to welcome new, returning, and existing members, offering insight into the work that goes into staging productions on stage, backstage, and front of house. Attendees will enjoy play readings, ice-breaker activities, and the opportunity to meet cast and crew, gaining a sense of the season’s upcoming plans.
