‘Margaret’ by Shaun Byrne

Ballyshannon Drama Society

presents

‘Margaret’, written by Ballybofey’s Shaun Byrne, is Ballyshannon Drama Society’s entry in the 2024 RTE All Ireland Drama Festival. Directed by Monica Doherty, the show stars Rachel O’Connor as Margaret Thatcher and Shaun Byrne as Dennis Thatcher.

Margaret is in her late 80s. At times she is her old self, sharp, lucid, clear; other times confused, frightened and frustrated. She talks to an imagined Denis, to herself, to the audience. The play joins her in the last days of her life in the Ritz Hotel suffering from dementia and explores her troubled relationships: with the Irish, the miners, her children, the public, her male colleagues, and the fallout from The Falklands War; as past demons, guilts and successes return to torment, flatter and deceive her. ‘You have no enemies you say? If you have none, then small is the work that you have done.’

‘Margaret’ participated in eight festivals in the drama circuit, winning 5 and taking home multiple awards for acting, direction, sound and lighting. The show qualified for both the Ulster Drama Finals in Newtownstewart and the All Ireland Drama Final in Athlone, performing on Friday the 10th of May.

Performances and Awards/Nominations:

Enniskillen Drama Festival
The Ardhowen Theatre, Wednesday March 6th
First Place
The Audience Award
Best Actress – Rachel O’Connor as Margaret
Best Actor – Shaun Byrne as Dennis
Best Director – Monica Doherty
Best Sound – Sean O’Connor

Kiltyclogher Drama Festival
Community Hall, Thursday March 7th
First Place
The Audience Award
Best Actress – Rachel O’Connor as Margaret
Best Actor – Shaun Byrne as Dennis
Best Director – Monica Doherty

Castleblaney Drama Festival, the Iontas Centre
The Iontas Centre, Saturday March 9th
Third Place
Best Actress – Rachel O’Connor as Margaret

Ballyshannon Drama Festival, the Abbey Arts Centre
The Abbey Arts Centre, Friday March 15th
First Place
The Audience Award
Best Actress – Rachel O’Connor as Margaret
Best Actor – Shaun Byrne as Dennis
Best Producer – Monica Doherty
Best Lighting – Niall Cranny
Best Set

Strabane Drama Festival
The Alley Theatre, Saturday March 16th
Second Place
The Audience Award
Best Actress – Rachel O’Connor as Margaret
Best Character Actor – Shaun Byrne as Dennis
Nominations: Best Lighting, Best Presentation

Carrickmore Drama Festival
The Patrician, Tuesday March 19th

Portadown Drama Festival
Town Hall Theatre, Wednesday March 20th
First Place
The Audience Award
Best Actress – Rachel O’Connor as Margaret
Best Stage Management
Nominations: Best Supporting Actor – Shaun Byrne

Glenamaddy Drama Festival
Glenamaddy Theatre, Thursday March 28th
First Place
Best Actress – Rachel O’Connor as Margaret
Best Director – Monica Doherty
Best Set – Shaun Byrne and Monica Doherty
Best Lighting – Sean O’Connor
Best Support Actor – nomination for Shaun Byrne

Letterkenny
An Grianan Theatre, Friday April 26th
(not in competition)

Newtownabbey – Ulster Finals
The Mill Theatre, Saturday April 27th

Ballyshannon
Abbey Arts Centre, Monday May 6th

Athlone – All Ireland Drama Finals
The Dean Crowe Theatre, Friday May 10th