Community spirit shines at Cavan Drama Festival
The Bradan Players, Leixlip, won the top award in the Open Section at the 64th annual Cavan Drama Festival, which ended its ten-night run in the Town Hall Theatre last Sunday. Adjudicator, Brian Majoribanks from Falkirk, was strong in his praise of the quality of the various plays in the open and confined sections. The adjudicator told how he was asked two years ago to come to the south of Ireland to adjudicate by the late former secretary, Ann Tully, and was desperately sorry to have arrived 15 months too late. Mr. Majoribanks also told how in his native country, amateur drama is controlled by the Scottish Community Drama Association, known as the SCDA. It was drummed into him his early life by his parents and his younger sister that the 'C' stood for community and not for competition. What he felt had been outstanding over the ten days of the festival was the community spirit, which existed among all the groups. Bradan Players' production of 'Mauritius' by Therese Rebeck won the Dr Lyons Cup, as well as taking the Betty Cullen-Fitzpatrick Cup for best producer, Tim Byrne. The play provided suspenseful entertainment at its best in a gripping and darkly comic tale. The group was founded in 2005 and have qualified for seven All-Ireland finals (five one-act and two full-length). They are heading for Athlone again this year as Cavan Festival was a qualifier for the All-Ireland finals. The cast comprised Jenny Ni Lucais, Colin Walsh, George Hogan, Gillian Purcell and Joe Bergin. Production team under director Tim Byrne included: John Duggan, Conor Biddle, Joe Bergin, Meave Kerrigan, Philip Byrne, Stephen Mooney, Brenda Cahill, Ken Byrne, Ian Lake and Brian Byrne. The AOH Cup for overall winner in the confined section went to Compantis Lir, Claregalway, Co. Galway for their production of Bernard Farrell's 'I Do Not Like Thee, Dr Fell'. The play is a black comedy, which deals with the happenings at an all-night group encounter. The group has been on the festival circuit since 1986. Last year marked the 13th appearance in the All-Ireland confined finals. The cast comprised: Paddy Greaney, Dermot Hession, Ruth O'Driscoll, Vincent Moran, John Heneghan, Mary McCarthy, Liz Hession. Production team headed by producer and director, Philip Cribben: Carmel Kenny, Francis Moran, Adrian Moran, Seamus McNulty, Patsy Cahalan, Declan Varley, Peter Talbot, Clement Shevlin, Malachy Noone, Simon Kavanagh, John Brennan, Brid Conneely, Breda Hannon, John Keane, Joe O'Connell, Jennifer Donaghy and Celia Fleming. Other results Betty Cullen-Fitzpatrick Cup, Best Producer (Open), Tim Byrne, Bradan Players; Cavan Crystal Award, Best Actor (Open) Corn Mill Theatre Company, Carrigallen, Seamus O'Rourke as John in 'Shining City' by Conor McPherson; Cavan Crystal award, Best Actress (Open), Jenny Ni Lucais as Jackie in 'Mauritius' by Bradan Players; M. O'Rahilly Cup for Best Producer (confined), Philip Cribben, Compantas Lir; Cavan Crystal Award for Best Actor (confined), Vincent Moran as Roger in 'I do not like thee, Dr Fell'; Cavan Crystal Award for Best Actress (confined), Rosin Kelly as Bridget in 'Moonshine' by Glenamaddy Players, Galway; Adjudicator's award, Clanabogan Drama Circle, Omagh, Co Tyrone, 'Where there's a Will' by Val Gough; Philip Cullivan award for best stagecraft, Balally Players, Dundrum, 'The Plough and the Stars'.