Two Cavan groups take on One Act

Two local drama groups will take the stage in the upcoming Cavan One Act Drama Festival, November 6-8 at Cavan’s Townhall Arts Centre.

Now in its 78th year, the festival, which offers “three great sessions of drama” with 10 one act plays from Friday to Sunday, is a qualifying festival for the All-Ireland circuit, and a chance at the finals in Letterkenny come December.

Drumgoon Play-Actors and Belturbet Dramatic Society are part of the Confined group for newer entrants, with more experienced groups, those who already won the All-Ireland title, including nearby Corn Mill in Carrigallen, contesting the Open section.

“For local audiences, it’s an opportunity to see fantastic plays well-performed,” says Rachael Cullivan Elliott, Cavan festival chair. “You may see them on their first performance, you may see them on a third or fourth performance - which may differ, and makes it quite exciting.”

Overseen by the joint committee of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland (ADCI) and the Drama League of Ireland (DLI), this year’s circuit hosts 60 groups across 23 festivals.

“People are fooled by the word amateur,” says Rachael, who believes the only difference between the amateur circuit and professional theatre is one group gets paid while the other does it for the “sheer love” of drama.

“Amateur drama is huge in this country. There’s a huge interest in amateur drama locally, and it’s been a massive springboard - nationally known names, the Brendan Gleesons of this world, Jamie Dornan, Liam Neeson, they all started off on the circuit in amateur drama.”

Founded in 2011 for a GAA fundraiser, Drumgoon Play-Actors first entered the circuit a couple of years ago.

After finishing eighth overall in 2025, they are “delighted” to enter the Cavan festival this year for the first time. They’ll also compete in Mullagh, Maudabawn, Manorhamilton and Ballymahon before the Townhall on Saturday night.

Written by group member Anne Marie Bannon, ‘Crossing Over’ is performed by Lorna Reilly, Paul Boylan, Louise Bannon and Shane Fox.

Set in Ireland towards the end of the 60s the play tells the story of a widow encouraged to move on by her sister and a local suitor after the recent death of her husband. “Funnily enough”, her husband, who she is in contact with from beyond the grave, shares the same opinion.

Anne Marie, also created the music- sung by actor Shane

Says the work is a “group effort”.

“One won’t exist without the other.”

Ruairí Devlin from Belturbet Dramatic Society says his group are “really looking forward” to taking part for the first time since reforming last October.

They’ll have a “good run” too, completing two pre-festival shows in Cornmill, before festivals in Enniskillen, Ballybofey and Mullagh ahead of Cavan on Sunday afternoon.

Their chosen play ‘Dum Vivimus Vivamus’ (While we live, let us live) by Nicola Kean, asks if people have fallen into the “trap of a digital life” and are missing out on the importance of touch. Ruairí describes it as “very poignant” and “quite dark”, with the character of ‘Jim’ as the grim reaper.

Played by Mark Connolly from Butlersbridge, Jim meets people during difficult times in their lives before encountering an elderly woman in a nursing home, who, in contrast, is eager to die.

Involved in amateur theatre since 1985, Ruairí says people go to the theatre to be “emotionally moved by the experience”. He believes audiences love variety, which one act festivals provide in abundance.

The short nature of the one act format means more can be put into each session, and this year Saturday will hosy four plays, with three each on both Friday and Sunday.

At the end of each festival session, adjudicator Paddy Farrelly gives a short but helpful summary of how the play was performed, which helps people understand the difference between a good performance and a great performance.

Technical Manager in the Ramor Arts Centre, Shercock native Paddy is “massively experienced”, having been involved with theatre at every level for decades, as a director, an actor and in production.

For those wanting to learn more about theatre, listening to the adjudication is “well worthwhile” Rachael says.

The chair is grateful for the festival committee, which dates back to 1945, Sharon Howe and the Cavan Arts Office, local businesses and all who contribute to the ever popular accompanying raffle.

Supported by Creative Cavan, work is ongoing to make a documentary on the festival, and the committee is interested in speaking to those who might like to contribute.

Cavan One Act Drama Festival starts 7pm on Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7, and 3pm on Sunday, November 8.

Admission is €15 per night (less than €5 per play) or €30 for a weekend ticket (€3 for each play).