Ennis Player at the helm of amateur drama

Once again the amateur drama movement has bestowed honours on Ennis Players, as Jackie Scanlan has been elected as chairman of the Drama League of Ireland (DLI).

The DLI is the national body that represents 253 amateur drama groups from around the country and provides support, resources and development programmes for the groups.
Jackie has been the development officer on the national executive of the DLI for the past five years and has been responsible for assisting groups with the organisation of workshops in all aspects of theatre, from acting and directing to lighting and stage management.
Amateur theatre is second only to the GAA in the number of people involved across the country and the DLI receives valuable funding from the Arts Council and has President Mary McAleese as its patron.
Jackie takes over the helm of the DLI at a time when funding will undoubtedly be cut and his biggest challenge will be to ensure amateur groups throughout the country continue to get the support and assistance they need to improve their craft.
This is the latest in a list of accolades bestowed on Ennis Players by the amateur drama movement in recent years.
In 2003, the group was chosen to host the prestigious All-Ireland One-Act finals and the following year they were one of only four amateur groups chosen to perform on the Abbey stage as part of the national theatre’s centenary celebrations, with their production of Kathleen Ni Houlihan.
In 2005, Ennis Players represented Ireland at the renowned International Theatre festival in Monaco with their award-winning production of The Dandy Dolls.
Closer to home, Jackie is busy directing a one-act play with Ennis Players for their upcoming supper theatre. Jackie’s production of Babysitting Calvin, a hilarious comedy, will be performed alongside Harold Pinter’s Ashes to Ashes, directed by Joe Varden.
As usual, the supper theatre will be staged in The Old Ground Hotel from Monday, November 23 through to Thursday, November 26 nightly at 8pm.