It’s hard to believe that only five weeks have passed since ‘All My Sons’ premiered in the Abbey Arts Centre. Since then the show has participated in eight festivals on the All Ireland Amateur Drama circuit, winning multiple awards along the way. Cast and crew have travelled to five counties in the last few weeks to build the set and put on unforgettable performances (four shows in five nights in the first week!) and all the effort has paid off. With 1 First Place, 5 Seconds and 2 Thirds, we have secured our entry in both the Ulster Final in Ballymena and the All Ireland Final in Athlone.
Of course, there is a much more to the drama circuit than scoring points on a leaderboard. It wouldn’t be much fun without the support of all the wonderful people we met out on the road. Thanks to all of the committee members, technicians and volunteers who welcomed us into their theatres and halls like old friends, and of course thanks also to the local audiences who came to see us along the way.
And the fun continues! Ballyshannon Drama Society will host the Confined Finals from April 22nd to the 30th. Shortly after that, ‘All My Sons’ will participate in the Ulster Final in Ballymena in the first week of May (date to be drawn), followed by the All Ireland Final taking place from May 5th – 13th in the Dean Crowe Theatre in Athlone.
For now, here is a recap of the nominations and awards ‘All My Sons’ has received so far:
Tubbercurry Drama Festival
Date of Performance: March 8th 2022
Awards:
Third Place Overall
Special Adjudicator’s Award – John Mc Hugh
Nominations:
Stage Presentation
Best Actor – Richard Hurst
Best Actress – Rachel O’Connor
Supporting Actor – Terence Mc Eneaney
Supporting Actress – Ailis Mc Intyre
Kiltyclogher Drama Festival Results
Date of Performance: March 10th, 2022
Awards:
First Place Overall
Best Actor – Richard Hurst
Best Actress – Rachel O’Connor
The Audience Award
Best Director – Trish Keane
Blue Riband
Nominations:
Best Supporting Actress – Audrey Davitt
Best Supporting Actor – Terence Mc Eneaney
Enniskillen Drama Festival Results
Date of Performance: March 11th, 2022
Awards:
Second Place Overall
Most Promising Young Actor – Bert /John Mc Hugh
Best Actor – Richard Hurst
Best Actress – Rachel O’Connor
Best Director – Trish Keane
The Audience Award
Best Dramatic Moments
Troy Devanney…
A. Kissing Anne
B. Fight scene with Joe Keller
Nominations:
Best Set Design
Best Costumes
Best Supporting Actor – Troy Devaney
Castleblayney Drama Festival Results
Date of Performance: March 12th, 2022
Awards:
Second Place Overall
Best Supporting Actress – Deirdre Ferguson
Best Lighting – Shane Patterson and Chris Dykes
Best Costume
Nominations:
Best Actor – Richard Hurst
Best Actress – Rachel O’Connor
Best Supporting Actor – Troy Devaney
Strabane Drama Festival
Date of Perfomance: March 19th, 2022
Awards:
Third Place Overall
Best Actor – Richard Hurst
Best Actress – Rachel O’Connor
The Audience Award
Nominations:
Best Supporting Actor – Terence Mc Eneaney
Lighting – Chris Dykes and Shane Patterson
Glenamaddy Drama Festival
Date of Performance: March 27th, 2022
Awards
Second Place Overall
Adjudicator’s Award – Costumes
Nominations
Best Director – Trish Keane
Best Lighting
Best Sound
Best Supporting Actress – Audrey Davitt
Best Supporting Actress – Deirdre Ferguson
Best Actor – Richard Hurst
Best Actress- Rachel O’Connor
Best Set
Mid-Ulster Drama Festival, Carrickmore
Date of Performance: March 30th, 2022
Awards
Second Place Overall
Best Actress – Rachel O’Connor
Adjudicator’s Award for Acting – Richard Hurst
Nominations
Most Effective Use of Costume
Best Supporting Actress- Audrey Davitt
Best Supporting Actor – Troy Devanny
Best Actor – Richard Hurst
Best Overall Director -Trish Keane
Best Moment of Theatre – Rachel O’Connor, “God does not let a son be killed my his Father”
Newtownstewart Drama Festival
Date of Performance: April 9th, 2022
Awards
Second Place Overall
Winner of the Audience Award
Best Actress – Rachel O’Connor
Best Supporting Actress – Deirdre Ferguson
Nominations
Best Supporting Actress – Audrey Davitt
Best Supporting Actor – Troy Ferguson, Terence Mc Eneaney
Best Actor – Richard Hurst
Best Producer – Trish Keane