Ballyshannon Drama Society

Ballyshannon Drama Society will return to the festival circuit this year with a new production of Harold Pinter’s ‘Old Times’.

In one of Pinter’s greatest dramatic creations, first produced in 1971 by the RSC, Deeley and his wife Kate are visited by Anna, a mysterious friend of Kate’s from long ago. What begins as a trip down memory lane quickly becomes something more, as long-simmering feelings of fear and jealousy begin to fuel the trio’s passions, sparking a seductive and haunting battle for power. The play is currently enjoying a high profile revival on Broadway in a production starring Clive Owen, Eve Best and Kelly Reilly, with music by Thom Yorke of Radiohead.

This will mark the society’s fifth adventure on the festival circuit in the Open category, following on from Yasmina Reza’s ‘God of Carnage’ (All Ireland Drama Finalist 2015), Neil Simon’s ‘The Gingerbread Lady’ (All Ireland Finalist 2014), Alan Ayckbourn’s ‘Snake in the Grass’ (Ulster Finalist 2013), Shelagh Stephenson’s ‘The Memory of Water’, and also Herbert Ross’ ‘Steel Magnolias’ which won the Confined Finals in 2011, all of which achieved great success under the masterful direction of Ann Mc Hugh.

News of auditions and festival dates will follow soon.

 

 

 

  Ballyshannon Drama Society are back on the road this September as they take ‘The God of Carnage’ to Oslo, Norway, following an invitation to perform there from Oslo-based local man Phelim Rooney. Months of emails and planning have resulted in the booking in the Asker Music School Theatre on Sunday September 27th, when the Reilles and the Vallons will air their differences in public once again. 

Phelim has been keen to get his hometown drama group even further north for some time, but large, complex sets proved difficult to transport. ‘The God of Carnage’ set, however, is more simple to recreate, and so the play seemed like the perfect choice to begin an exchange between two local drama groups, one in Ballyshannon and one in Asker, Oslo. The Norwegians play host this time but it certainly won’t be long before Ballyshannon gets to return the favour. 

For bookings, see Ryanair!

Congratulations to all the winners in the All Ireland Drama Finals 2015. Here is the official list of winners and nominations, courtesy of www.dramafestival.ie.

The Winners

Perpetual Trophy

The Palace Players, Fermoy with ‘Conversations On A Homecoming’.

Best Director

Liam Howard of The Palace Players, Fermoy for’ Conversations On A Homecoming’.

Best Actor

Rónán P. Byrne of Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group for playing Mick in ‘Stolen Child’.

Best Actress

Josephine Byrne of Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group for playing Peggy in ‘Stolen Child’.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Ger Liston of Shoestring Theatre Company for playing Fr.Rice in’Trad’.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Mary Flavin of The Palace Players, Fermoy for playing Missus in ‘Conversations On A Homecoming’.

Best Stage Management

Liam Farrell of Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group for ‘Stolen Child’.

Best Stage Lighting

Brian Nutley of Dublin Estuary Players for ‘The Drawer Boy’.

Best Stage Setting

Dublin Estuary Players for ‘The Drawer Boy’.

Gormanstown Summer School Scholarship

Killian Collins of Ballyduff Drama Group for playing Campbell in ‘Takin’ Over The Asylum’.

ADCI/DLI Summer School Scholarship

Michael Mulligan of Ballyduff Drama Group for playing Hector in’Takin’ Over The Asylum’.

John Butler Scholarship to D.L.I. Summer School

Michael Murphy of Kilmuckridge Drama Group for playing Git Miller in ‘The Kings Of The Kilburn High Road’.

The Abbey Award

Shoestring Theatre Company with ‘Trad’. They will play the Peacock Theatre on Thursday 21st May 2015.

NOMINATIONS 2015

Perpetual Trophy

Ballyduff Drama Group for ‘Takin’ Over The Asylum’
Dublin Estuary Players for ‘The Drawer Boy’
The Palace Players, Fermoy for ‘Conversations On A Homecoming’

Best Director

Kieran Tyrell of Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group for ‘Stolen Child’
Liam Howard of The Palace Players, Fermoy for ‘Conversations On A Homecoming’
Myra Maguire of Dublin Estuary Players for ‘The Drawer Boy’

Best Actor

Killian Collins of Ballyduff Drama Group for playing Campbell in ‘Takin’ Over The Asylum’
Rónán P. Byrne of Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group for playing Mick in’Stolen Child’
John Furlong of Dublin Estuary Players for playing Angus in ‘The Drawer Boy’

Best Actress’

Patricia Keane of Ballyshannon Drama Society for playing Annette Reille in ‘The God of Carnage’
Josephine Byrne of Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group for playing Peggy in ‘Stolen Child’
Mairéad Connaughton of Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group for playing Angela in ‘Stolen Child’

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Ger Liston of Shoestring Theatre Company for playing Fr. Rice in ‘Trad’
Michael Murphy of Kilmuckridge Drama Group for playing Git Miller in ‘The Kings Of The Kilburn High Road’
Danny Buckley of The Palace Players, Fermoy for playing Junior in ‘Conversations On A Homecoming’

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Valerie O’Leary of Ballyduff Drama Group for playing Rosaline in ‘Takin’ Over The Asylum’
Mary Flavin of The Palace Players, Fermoy for playing Missus in ‘Conversations On A Homecoming’

Best Stage Management

Cillan Cotter of Ballyduff Drama Group for ‘Takin’ Over The Asylum’
Liam Farrell of Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group for ‘Stolen Child’
Jim Baylor of The Palace Players, Fermoy for ‘Conversations On A Homecoming’

Best Stage Lighting

Brendan Normoyle, Matthew Lyons of Shoestring Theatre Company for ‘Trad’
John Moulton of Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group for ‘Stolen Child’
Brian Nutley of Dublin Estuary Players for ‘The Drawer Boy’

Best Stage Setting

Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group for ‘Stolen Child’
The Palace Players, Fermoy for ‘Conversations On A Homecoming’
Dublin Estuary Players for ‘The Drawer Boy’