Murt breaks a leg but show goes on

THE 50th annual West Clare Drama Festival concluded in Doonbeg on Monday, although one prize winner was notably absent.
Festival director, Murt McInerney, who won the best producer award in the confined section, broke a leg last week and was therefore unable to attend several of the plays or Tuesday’s 50th anniversary dinner.
Thespians are often told to “break a leg” before taking to the stage in an effort to wish good luck to the actor. It’s a phrase that Murt will perhaps wryly contemplate as he recovers from the less than lucky break. However, his disappointment at being unavoidably absent was tempered by Doonbeg Drama Group winning the confined section.
The following are the full results:
Confined section: 1. Doonbeg Drama Group (Say Cheese); 2. Amphitheatre Company, Kilkee (United); 3. Sliabh Aughty Drama Group (Moonshine).
Best actor: Charlie Killeen as Rory Henderson in Say Cheese.
Best supporting actor: Shane Kelly as Michael in Moonshine.
Best actress: Dympna Shalloo as Frances in United.
Best supporting actress: Anne Marie Doyle as Julie in Say Cheese.
Best producer: Murt McInerney, Doonbeg Drama Group.
Open section: 1. Kilmeen Drama Group (A Whistle in the Dark); 2. Ballyduff Drama Group (All My Sons); 3. Corofin Dramatic Society (The Righteous are Bold).
Best actor: Kevin O’Donovan as Harry in A Whistle in the Dark.
Best supporting actor: Denis O’Sullivan as Des in A Whistle in the Dark.
Best actress: Valarie O’Leary as Kate Keller in All My Sons.
Best supporting actress: Eileen Lahiffe as Nellie the Post in The Righteous are Bold.
Best producer: Tim Coffey, Kilmeen Drama Group.
Adjudicator’s awards:
Moment in theatre: Stealing the teeth in A Wake in the West.
Most promising actor/actress: Peter O’Leary as Bert in All My Sons.
Best set: Ballyduff Drama Group.
Most entertaining play: A Wake in the West, Mullagh Entire Drama Group.
Best lighting effect: John Clancy, Corofin Dramatic Society.
Overall producer: Tim Coffey, Kilmeen Drama Group.