Local and national talent at West Clare Drama Festival

A HOST of drama groups from around the country will descend on Doonbeg Community Hall from March 3-12 as part of The West Clare Drama Festival.
Half of the programme of plays is being performed by local groups, carrying on the strong tradition of drama in Clare. In addition, five other drama groups from Waterford, Wexford, Tipperary, Cork and Mayo will also travel to Doonbeg.
The official launch of the festival will be performed on opening night by guest of honour Clare Labour Deputy Michael McNamara
Myles Purcell will be the adjudicator for this year’s festival. His experience began in amateur drama both as an actor and as a director. He won many awards at drama festivals around the country, including the All-Ireland Festival in Athlone. 
Mr Purcell has the unique distinction of directing two different groups to qualification for the All-Ireland final in the same season. Since turning professional, he has appeared in many successful productions at the major Dublin theatres, The Gaiety, Olympia, Gate, as well as with companies touring the provinces and internationally.  He has played many character roles on film and television and was a founder member and former chairman and secretary of the Association of Drama Adjudicators. He is presently vice chairman of the Guild of Irish Drama Adjudicators.
Opening night sees Brideview Drama group from Waterford perform Same Old Moon by Geraldine Aron.  The classic Oscar Wilde play The Importance of Being Ernest is being performed on Sunday, March 4 by Ferns Dramatic Society from Wexford, while the local Doonbeg Drama group will perform The Weir by Conor McPherson on the Monday.
The second of the Clare groups, Ennis Players, will perform The Lonesome West on Tuesday, the first of the Martin McDonagh plays to appear at the festival. Wednesday will welcome Nenagh Players with Jeffrey Hatcher’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and another Clare group, Mullagh Entire will present Pretend Sick by Michael J Ginnelly on Thursday, March 8.
Friday will see Amphitheatre Kilkee perform the acclaimed play Agnes of God by John Pielmeier. The second Saturday night of the festival will see the second presentation of The Weir, this time by 2011 All-Ireland champions Kilmeen Drama Group of West Cork. 
On the Sunday, Garrymore Drama from Mayo will present the second of the Martin McDonagh plays, The Cripple of Inishmaan.  The festival will conclude on Monday, March 12 with Corofin Dramatic Society’s performance of The Subject was Roses by Frank D Gilroy, followed by the final adjudication and presentation of prizes.
The West Clare Drama Festival is one of 36 festivals taking place around the country as part of the competition circuit of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland.  First, second and third placings in two categories count towards qualification for both All-Ireland finals.
In a change to previous years, doors will open at the festival each night at the earlier time of 7pm with curtain up at 8pm.