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“Margaret” by Shaun Byrne, this year’s circuit festival entry by Ballyshannon Drama Society, has its first circuit performance in the Enniskillen Drama Festival tonight, March 6th. In fact, as the original version of the show has been re-written and developed by the playwright, we can say tonight is the world premiere of the play! Margaret is a new play by Donegal playwright Shaun Byrne, a follow up to 2021’s highly successful Bloody Sunday themes ‘An Incident with Dave Cotter’. The play joins Margaret near the end of her life, and explores troubled relationships: with the Irish, the miners, her children, the public, her male cabinet; as past demons, guilt and scueesses return to torment, flatter and deceive her. The role…

2024 marks the 71st year of the Ballyshannon Drama Festival, and we have another fantastic line up for all our drama fans this year with a wide ranging programme, featuring everything from slapstick comedy to modern tragedy, touching on themes such as modern Irish life, the Civil War, politics and power, the dangers of over-indulgence and rugby!The festival opens on Saturday March 9th with Newtownstewart Theatre Company presenting ‘The New Electric Ballroom’, Enda Walsh’s award-winning depiction of small-town life. On Sunday night, Castleblaney Players present ‘No Going Back’ by Joe Hanratty, in which two brothers living in a border town in 1924 try to leave the past behind them.The Enniskillen Theatre Company present ‘The Lonesome West’ by Martin Mc Donagh,…

Congratulations to Rachel O’Connor on winning the Best Actress in a Supporting Role award for her portrayal of Claire in ‘A Delicate Balance’, in the finals of the All Ireland Drama Festival!! The awards for the festival were presented at a Gala Awards Ceremony in the Radisson Athlone, on Saturday night. Before announcing the winner of the award, Adjudicator Paula Dempsey commented, “She owned the stage from the moment she stepped on it”. ‘A Delicate Balance’ also received nominations for Stage Management – well done Linda Gallagher, Mary Duggan and Karen Skelly, and Best Stage Setting – congrats Sean O’Connor! Congratulations to the overall winners, Dalkey Players with their production of ‘By the Bog of Cats’. You can see the…

Congratulations to Damien Gallagher on being inducted into the Ballyshannon Drama Society Hall of Fame as part of the 70th Ballyshannon Drama Festival! ‘Darkness Echoing’, presented by Butt Drama Circle had a memorable night at Ballyshannon Drama Festival as they won a host of awards, including the Blue Riband – their first win on this year’s circuit.Ray Leonard Players, with their production of ‘The Kings of the Kilburn High Road’ won the Confined section. Results as follows:Billy Myles Audience Award – Butt Drama Circle;Best Set – Butt Drama Circle;Best Stage Manager: Brenda Duffy, Butt Drama Circle;Lighting – Butt Drama Circle;Adjudicator’s Awards (x3) – Aoibheann Diver (Lifford Players); Bernie O’Brien (Pomeroy Players; Prosperous Dramatic Society (for the violent ending scene in…

On the final night of the 70th Ballyshannon Drama Festival, Theatre 3 from Newtownabbey presented ‘The Price’ by Arthur Miller, in the Open section.

Saturday night at the drama festival saw the welcome return of home group Ballyshannon Drama Society’s circuit production, ‘A Delicate Balance’ by Edward Albee, in the Open Section (photos: John Fallon).

On Friday night at the drama festival, Prosperous Dramatic returned to the Abbey stage with their production of ‘Oleanna’ by David Mamet, in the Open section (photos: John Fallon).