Schull Drama Group swept the board in the confined section of this year's West Cork Drama Festival.
SCHULL Drama Group swept the board in the confined section of this year’s West Cork Drama Festival.
The 57th installment of the popular festival drew to a close on St Patrick’s night with Gorey Drama Group’s production of James Wesley’s Unbroken Circle, followed by the festival results.
The Scottish adjudicator, Dr Russel Boyce, bedecked in tartan trousers for the occasion, regaled the audience once again with his theatrical insights and humorous asides. With a nod to the Irish Grand Slam win, he even sported an Ireland supporter’s hat, before taking it off to get down to the announcement of the results. He complimented the high standard of drama and the very impressive sets staged by the groups partaking in the festival.
In the confined section, Schull Drama Group’s production of the Pinter classic No Man’s Land swept the board. It took first place in this section with director Jennifer Williams taking the ‘Best Director’ trophy, Anthony Harris the ‘Best Actor’ award for the role of ‘Hirst’ and Pat Bracken the ‘Best Supporting Actor’ award for his role as ‘Spooner’. In addition, the interplay between the actors of the two key role ‘Hirst’ and ‘Spooner’ was given a special adjudicator’s award.
Second place went to neighbouring West Cork group Skibbereen Theatre Society’s presentation of Mike Leigh’s comedy Abigail’s Party, with newcomer Bernie Whooley taking the ‘Best Supporting Actress’ award for this section. The Paddy Keohane Cup was also awarded to this production.
Curtain Call Productions, from Dungarvan, came third with Neil La Bute’s contemporary drama Some Girls. Vanessa Hyde, who played the role of ‘Lindsay’ in this play, took the ‘Best Actress’ award in this section.
In the open section, Brideview Drama from Tallow took first place with their emotive contemporary Irish drama Stolen Child by Báirbre Ní Chaoimh and Yvonne Quinn. Jack Aherne won the ‘Best Director’ award, while Sean Ahern from this production won ‘Best Actor’ for his portrayal of the scatty private detective ‘Mick Tracy’.
Second place went to Gorey Little Theatre’s production of James Wesley’s emotional family drama Unbroken Circle with Jan Cullen taking the ‘Best Actress’ award for this section for her role as the mother ‘Ruby.’ In addition, this group won the Donal McSweeney award for lighting.
Nenagh Players, who presented Neil Kempinski’s moving Duet for One, took third place with Kevin Walshe, who played ‘Dr Feldman,’ being awarded ‘Best Supporting Actor’ for this section. They also won the Ned Barrett Cup for sound.
The Jack Murphy Plaque for best set was awarded to Bridge Drama who presented Michael Cooney’s comedy Cash on Delivery and their set builders also won a spcial adjudicator’s award. This production also won the ‘Most Entertaining’ play award.
Special adjudicator’s awards were presented to the catering team of the West Cork Drama Festival and to the Kilmeen Drama Group for community achievement with their production of The Shaughraun by Dion Boucicault with a special mention of the dog ‘Tara’ who treaded the boards.
The Festival Committee thanked all the festival patrons, sponsors and supporters.
