Sparkling drama promised for festival’s diamond anniversary

75th Cavan Drama Festival runs from March 4-11

This weekend sees the curtain rise for the 75th Cavan Drama Festival, kicking off seven nights of top class amateur drama.

A mix of classics, new plays, farce and hard hitting drama have been scheduled to ensure the diamond anniversary maintains the highest standards for one of the longest running, and best loved festivals on the Irish circuit.

Groups from counties Clare, Donegal, Dublin, Down, Wexford are set to arrive in Townhall Street, aiming to secure the points they need to proceed to the All Ireland confined finals in Galway and open finals in Athlone.

They are just the latest link in a chain that reaches back to the years of ‘the Emergency’.

“On March 24, 1945 the curtain rose on the first play of the inaugural Cavan Drama Festival to begin an amazing tradition that should make Cavan very proud indeed,” enthused current chairperson, Rachel Cullivan.

“We have the honour of being the second longest-running drama festival in the country – showcasing amateur drama from all 32 counties through good times and bad.

“The first festival ran for eight nights and 16 of the impressive 34 plays were as Gaeilge - with admission costing 12 shillings and sixpence.”

In the 75 years since, thousands of aspiring actors and part-time enthusiasts, have tread the boards of the Town Hall – some such as Michael Harding, Brendan Gleeson and Moya Doherty going on to become household names. Others such as Gerry Stembridge have returned in a different guise as adjudicators.

The organising committee are delighted to welcome Cavan actors to assist on this occasion: Aaron Monahan will officially open the festival on Saturday, March 4, while Darragh Smith will adjudicate.

“Darragh has been with us as an adjudicator previously but has more recently brought us the fabulous Livin’ Dred production of ‘Danti Dan’ by Gina Moxley,” says Rachel.

“Aaron is the well-known Cavan actor and director who has an impressive and wide-ranging repertoire and whose recent role in the Banshees of Inisherin has us all watching out for the postman!”

Corofin Dramatic Society will get the 75th festival action underway with the humorous but moving story of a woman adopted at birth in ‘The Stolen Child’.

On Sunday, March 5 the venue hosts a feast of drama by local groups. ‘The Reunion’, ‘Generation Desperation’ and ‘The Bargain’ are being staged by Catherine McKiernan and Alice Lynch and their fellow Moogles. They will be followed by ‘Two in the Dock’ performed by Rampart Players.

The competitive aspect of the festival resumes on Monday, March 6 with a fast paced play about the problems with inheritance in ‘Where Elephants Collide’ performed by Lifford Players.

Many will remember ‘By the Bog of Cats’ from the Leaving Cert curriculum but on this occasion Marina Carr’s powerful drama is being brought to us by Dalkey Players.

The withdrawal of a group from this year’s confined circuit provides a chance to reflect on all the previous acts during a “dark” night on Wednesday, March 10. This may give the audience an opportunity to visit some of the other preliminary festivals – check the ADCI and DLI websites.

But all are encouraged to return to the Townhall Theatre when the action resumes with a patrons’ night on Thursday, March 9. All festival patrons are invited to join the organisers for a wine reception beginning at 7pm before the drama begins with the laugh a minute farce ‘See How They Run’ by Lislea Dramatic Players from Newry.

Cavan are delighted to welcome back Butt Drama Circle on Friday March 10 with Shaun Byrne’s ‘Darkness Echoing’. While this play deals with serious issues such as loss and addiction humour is found in unexpected places – reminiscent of the wonderful ‘An Incident with Dave Cotter’ previously brought to the Cavan stage by the Donegal group.

Few will be unfamiliar with ‘The Field’ by John B Keane which will close the festival on Saturday, March 11. Wayside Players from Blackwater in Wexford will perform this much loved classic – which will be followed by the final adjudication by Darragh Smith.

“This promises to be a wonderful feast of drama for the audiences, and most groups performing are aiming for a place in either the Confined finals in Glenamaddy in April or the Open Finals in Athlone in May,” enthused Rachel.

Reflecting on the longevity of the festival, Rachel calls to mind a quote by a previous chairman Andy O’Brien, who described it as “A great success built on a lovely dream.”