Shercock plans to take centre stage

THE 23rd annual Shercock Drama Festival begins today (Thursday, March 12). Three groups from Wexford, two from Galway and one each from Dublin, Leitrim and Sligo make up the eight-night programme. The event has become one of the highlights of the cultural calendar in the region and patrons flock to the venue to enjoy the unique atmosphere. The committee is delighted to have secured the services of Padraic McIntyre who will act as this year"s adjudicator. Artistic director of the Livin" Dred Theatre Company based in the Ramor Theatre, Bailieboro-born Padraic is soon to join the Abbey Theatre in Dublin as assistant director on the world premier of Tom Murphy"s new play The Last Days of a Reluctant Tyrant. Opening night (tomorrow, Thursday, March 12) marks the arrival of the Wayside Players Drama Group from Enniscorthy, who present Love In The Title, written by the late Hugh Leonard. The festival programme had been arranged prior to his passing some weeks ago, so it is fitting that one of his creations should open this year"s entertainment. This Confined Section play celebrates with biting humour and poignancy the great spirit, strength and determination of three generations of Irish women. Twice winners of the all-Ireland title in the One Act, Confined Section, the Wayside Players are enjoying their 41st year on the festival circuit. Another Wexford troupe, Ballycogley Players, take the stage on Friday 13 with their presentation of Brian Friel"s Living Quarters, the first play in the Open Section. Winners of the All-Ireland Confined Festival in 2006, the group have been in existence since the 1970s. This play is set in the garden and living room of Commandant Frank Butler"s house close to a military barracks in Donegal. The action takes place on a warm May evening and night in the 1960s. On Saturday, March 14, the Glenamaddy Players from County Galway return to the Shercock stage. TheY present Joseph Tomelty"s All Soul"s Night. Molly Trainor and Michael Quinn are to be married AND Michael is keen to develop the family"s fishing business. While his father John seeks to help him get on, his mother Catherine refuses to lend him the money. A tough woman with a hard upbringing, she is grieving desperately for her favoured son Stephen, who was drowned. Glenamaddy have competed in the Confined Section for 30 years, reaching all-Ireland finals on several occasions. Dunmore amateur Dramatic Society From Galway Tread The Boards On Sunday, March 15, And Present Tom Murphy"s Conversation on a Homecoming. When Michael returns from America, he and his friends meet in their old watering-hole, The White House, for a night of nostalgia. As the night wears on we see how tenuous were the bonds that kept them together as they begin to peel away the layers that protect them. Patrons are asked to note that this play of 90 minutes duration has no break. The group has contested the Confined Section since its formation in 2002. The second play in the Open Section, The Last Days Of Judas Iscariot performed by The Estuary Players from Baldoyle in Dublin is on Monday, March 16. This darkly funny and ambitious play considers the case for and against Judas in a surreal modern day courtroom setting. The group promise that this entertaining and provocative piece will stay in your thoughts long after you have stopped laughing. In 2008 the Baldoyle Group took home the RTE All Ireland Trophy for their production of Arthur Miller"s The Price along with many individual awards. On St. Patrick"s night the Festival stage will be graced by one of the most popular groups on the entire circuit, The Corn Mill Theatre Group, Carrigallen. The group present Bernard Farrell"s Kevin"s Bed, a play of nostalgia, expectation and broken dreams. The setting is the celebration of the golden jubilee of Dan and Doris, a time for them to return to their old house, join in the celebrations, contemplate a life in disarray and remember the joy of their silver anniversary. When Carrigallen are in town, it"s a night to come early! The festival takes a break on Wednesday night for Shercock"s weekly bingo, resuming on Thursday, March 19, with the visit of Cloonacool Players from Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo. Lovers of John B. Keane will look forward to their production of Sive. It tells the tale of Sive, a beautiful young orphan who lives with her Uncle Mike and his bitter and childless wife Mena. Sive becomes the object of a potential match with an ageing but rich farmer. A warm welcome is extended to our visitors from the foothills of the Ox Mountains on their first visit to Shercock. Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group from Wexford bring down the curtain on the 2009 Festival with their presentation of Tom Murphy"s The Wake. Vera O"Toole is alone, adrift and living dangerously in New York where she survives as a call girl. A dream sustains her; she is not alone, she feels, because she has a family in Ireland. Some day she may be even worthy of that family. In 2007 the Wexford troupe won the All Ireland Confined Final with Marina Carr"s Portia Coughlan. Festival director Anne O"Reilly and her committee are once again delighted to acknowledge the contribution of the Vergnano family, directors of Tabetex Ltd, Shercock, the main sponsors of the festival. The support of Shercock Credit Union and the many other sponsors is also deeply appreciated and will be acknowledged in the festival booklet. Plays begin at 8.30pm nightly and there is no admission during the performance. Parents are asked to note that the plays on March 15, 16 and 20 are not suitable for primary school children. Admission is €10 for adults and €5 for students and children; a season ticket is €50. Anyone wishing to help out with any of the various sub-committees in charge of the Festival Club, front of house, car parking or ticket office is asked to contact any committee member. Noel Monahan performs the official opening and Eva Fidgeon, a member of the Sillan Players troupe now taking their play Carthaginians, on the festival circuit perform the closing ceremony.