DOONBEG is gearing up for the return of the West Clare Drama Festival.
Final preparations are in full swing for the West Clare Drama Festival which will see a range of full-length plays performed in the Community Hall, Doonbeg from Saturday, 7th to Sunday 15th, of March.
Under the auspices of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland, (ADCI), featuring a variety of plays from comedy to tragedy, from hilarity to serious drama, presented by theatre groups from across Ireland. The West Clare Drama Festival was founded in 1962.
All nine nights of dramatic performances will be critiqued each night by Adjudicator, Tom Byrne, A.D.A., a member of the Association of Drama Adjudicators, Ireland. He has been involve with amateur drama for over forty five years, he competed in his first festival in 1979 and has directed more than 120 productions.
Along with winning numerous awards as a director, he holds the unique record of qualifying productions in six successive All Ireland Open One Act Finals, directing the winning productions in 2005, 2009 and 2010. Since becoming an adjudicator in 2011, Tom has adjudicated at ADCI Festivals all over the country.
Allen Flynn, owner of the Old Ground Hotel, and Co-managing Director of the Flynn Hotel Collection, with hotels in Ennis, Kilkenny and Waterford, will officially open the Festival on Saturday March 7th.
Since his return from New York in 1995, Allen has been actively involved in the tourism and hospitality sector. He also has a huge personal interest in the Arts. Particularly with Ennis Players, The Drama League of Ireland, glór, Ennis Arts Festival Ltd., and Teac Damsa.
This year’s Festival welcomes five groups competing in the Confined Section, hoping to reach the finals which take place in Carrickmore, Co. Tyrone. Cooraclare Drama Group will perform ‘A Wake in the West’ by Michael J. Ginnelly.
Four groups, Holycross / Ballycahill Drama Group, Corofin Dramatic Society, Kilmeen Drama Group and Ballycogley Players in the Open Section will vie for points to try reach the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival Finals. The winner of the Confined Finals in Carrickmore will open the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival on the 30th of April.
Andrew Killeen, Chairman of the Festival Committee said Doonbeg is looking forward to welcoming all nine groups to the long village. “We have a programme that has something for everyone each night. As well as the groups that love to return to us each year, we extend a warm West Clare welcome to Dooega
Drama Group from Co. Mayo and Memory Lane Theatre from Co. Kerry. Come along and enjoy a feast of drama, and indeed our hospitality. And of course, bring a friend”.
Audiences can look forward to a different play each night, highlighting the talent of amateur theatre groups in Ireland.
Season Tickets cost €90 each with Nightly Tickets costing €15 for Adults and €8 per child or student. The doors are open each night at 7.15pm and curtain is up at 8.00pm, except on Sunday 15th, the final night, when the doors will open at 6.45pm and Curtain is up at 7.30pm, followed by the final adjudication and Awards Ceremony.
For a full line up of all the plays and their details, please see local posters, or visit our website: www.westclaredramafestivaldoonbeg.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram
