Curtain comes down on a ‘feast of drama’ in Roscommon

Thu, 09 May, 2024 - 13:03

The Roscommon Drama Festival 2024 came to a close with the announcing of the prize-winners and the presentation of awards. For nine nights patrons were treated to the very best that Irish amateur drama has to offer.

Chairperson of the Festival Committee, Mairead F Nally praised the festival as a “virtual feast of drama”. The festival, which has developed into one of the premium drama events in the country, hosted full houses and standing ovations aplenty.

Best Supporting Actor OPEN award, sponsored by Mahon Sweeney Solicitors, accepted by Fiona Keane, Dalkey Players on behalf of Simon Cunningham for his role as Rev John Hale in The Crucible, presented by Marie Conroy (Mahon Sweeney Solicitors). Pic. Michelle Hughes Walsh

After a wonderful presentation of the Bernard Farrell play I Do Not Like Thee, Dr. Fell by the Kilmuckridge Drama Group, the tension and excitement was palpable in the Roscommon Arts Centre as the moment of adjudication approached.

Mairead spoke about the great success of the festival and had special words of praise for the adjudicator Padraic McIntyre. An adjudicator, she noted, “is to provide useful critical feedback in a thoughtful caring way that helps participants to grow as artists and people, through enriched under-standing of their own collaborative work. Padraic your nightly public adjudication was all of that and more She thanked Mr McIntyre on her own behalf and on behalf of the committee for his professionalism and courtesy She also went on to acknowledge and thank a number of people and organisations, including Festival President Cannon Eugene McLoughlin, the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland (ADCI), and all the festival’s patrons.

Best Actress OPEN award sponsored by Hugh Baxter, accepted by Tom Costello (Festival Committee) on behalf of Gráinne Kenny, Ballyduff Drama Group for her role as Caitlin Carney in The Ferryman, presented by Hugh Baxter (Cerena Consulting Ltd). Pic. Michelle Hughes Walsh

“I would like to thank Shane Tiernan, Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council, who honoured us by opening our festival. We acknowledge with thanks Roscommon County Council, and the Arts Council through the ADCI for contributing to the cost of running this festival,” she said.

“I want to thank all the groups, actors, set crew, backstage crew, stage managers, lighting and sound technicians and costumes and makeup people; without you all, there is literally no festival.” Mairead said she sincerely thanked the generous sponsors of awards and groups and those who took advertising in the festival’s programme.

Best Actor OPEN award sponsored by Brigeen & Gerry Fitzmaurice, accepted by Tom Costello (Festival Committee) on behalf of John Stack, Ballyduff Drama Group for his role as Quinn Carney in The Ferryman, presented by Dawn Fitzmaurice. Pic. Michelle Hughes Walsh

“They are almost all local and family-owned businesses, and they most certainly deserve to be supported. Our thanks to the many businesses who provided such generous prizes for our raffle. Shop local is the mantra which we as a committee promote. On stage with us tonight are our award sponsors who will present their awards as they are announced by Padraic,” she said.

“Our festival clubs in local establishments after each drama performance provided the groups and committee with refreshments as well as a warm welcome, we thank you for your ongoing support to RDF.” She also thanked the local media, and photographer Michelle Hughes Walsh for their extensive coverage of the festival.

Best Director CONFINED award sponsored by Finn Electrical Expert, accepted by Alice Burns, St. Patrick’s Drama Group, Westport on behalf of Seamus Cafferky for Agnes of God, presented by John Finn (Finn Electrical Expert). Pic. Michelle Hughes Walsh

“I want to thank all the staff of Roscommon Arts Centre: Acting Director Stephen Nicholson; Dympna Naughton, who was always at hand to take a call; Megan and Kevin in the box office; and bar staff and ushers– Will, Batty, Christina, Stacey and Kate,” Mairead said.

“I want to thank you the audience and all the patrons who turned out each night to show their support for the groups and appreciation of their productions. Thanks also for your generous support of our raffles.” She also thanked the festival’s hard working committee: Marie McCrann, secretary; Caroline Egan, treasurer; Jimmy Hoban, PRO; Deirdre Kelly; Brigeen Fitzmaurice; Mary Finn; Mary Cox; Tom Costello; Bernie Maher; Riona Mc Guinness; Frank Nally; and Joe Nally.

Main Award OPEN, sponsored by Canon Eugene McLoughlin, accepted by Fiona Keane, Dalkey Players for their production of The Crucible presented by Canon Eugene McLoughlin. Pic. Michelle Hughes Walsh

Announcing the results, Mr McIntyre said: “It has been an honour to adjudicate one of the best drama festivals in the country”. The festival, he noted, was very well run by a highly competent committee under the chairpersonship of Mairead Nally. He commended the audience who attended over the nine nights and all the excellent groups who took part and dedicated themselves to very high standards of excellence.

Mairead thanked Padraic for his adjudication. “It was not an easy task; I want on behalf of the committee to sincerely thank you once again and congratulate all the winners,” she said.

Best Director OPEN award sponsored by Casey’s Londis/Supermacs accepted by Fiona Keane, Dalkey Players on behalf of Emma Jane Nulty for The Crucible presented by Jim McCausland, Casey’s Londis/Supermacs. Pic. Michelle Hughes Walsh

Results

PAT CONNAUGHTON MEMORIAL AWARD MAGICAL MOMENT IN THEATRE: Gerry Evans dancing with Agnes | Holycross/Ballycahill Drama Group - Dancing at Lughnasa.

ADJUDICATOR’S AWARD: Ensemble playing of the young girls | Ballyduff Drama Group - The Ferryman.

BEST TECHNICAL AWARD: Sound and lighting | Dalkey Players - The Crucible.

BEST STAGE SETTING: Ballyduff Drama Group - The Ferryman.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS CONFINED: Joanne O’Doherty for the role of Ada | Newtownstewart Theatre Company - The New Electric Ballroom.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR CONFINED: John Hearne for the role of Peter | Kilmuckridge Drama Group - I Do Not Like Thee, Dr Fell.

BEST ACTRESS CONFINED: Sinéad Brogan for the role of Agnes | St Patrick’s Drama Group - Agnes of God.

BEST ACTOR CONFINED: Paraic Newman for the role of Gunner | Glenamaddy Players - The Outgoing Tide.

Perpetual Award sponsored by Charlie O’Brien, ROSMED Pharmacy accepted by Fiona Keane, Dalkey Players for their production of The Crucible presented by Mary Finn on behalf of Rosmed Pharmacy. Pic. Michelle Hughes Walsh

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS OPEN: Anna Kilcoyne for the role of Abigail Williams | Dalkey Players - The Crucible.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR OPEN: Simon Cunningham for the role of the Rev John Hale | Dalkey Players - The Crucible.

BEST ACTRESS OPEN: Gráinne Kenny for the role of Caitlin Carney | Ballyduff Drama Group - The Ferryman.

BEST ACTOR OPEN: John stack for the role of Quinn Carney | Ballyduff Drama Group - The Ferryman.

Canon Eugene McLoughlin makes a presentation to Mairead Nally, Chairperson of Roscommon Drama Festival. Pic. Michelle Hughes Walsh

VINCENT MAHON MEMORIAL DLI SCHOLARSHIP: Erin Ryan for the role of Chris | Holycross/Ballycahill Drama Group - Dancing at Lughnasa.

MAIN AWARD CONFINED: 3, Glenamaddy Players - The Outgoing Tide; 2, Newtownstewart Drama Group - The New Electric Ballroom; 1, St Patrick’s Drama Group - Agnes of God.

BEST DIRECTOR CONFINED: Seamus Cafferkey | St Patrick’s Drama Group - Agnes of God.

MAIN AWARD OPEN: 2, Ballyduff Drama Group - The Ferryman; 1, Dalkey Players - The Crucible.

BEST DIRECTOR OPEN: Emma Jane Nulty | Dalkey Players - The Crucible.

PERPETUAL AWARD: Dalkey Players - The Crucible.