"AMATEUR drama is the life blood of the theatre. It inspires our local community, it inspires our writers, it inspires actors like me." Sean McGinley was speaking in his native place when he said this. As adjudicator of the All Ireland One Act Drama Festival in Ballyshannon he declared Donegal Drama Circle the winners of the Open Competition. Under Paul Buckley's direction they had performed Donalblaine, a new play by Soinbhe Lally from Rosnowlagh, so they had plenty of local support. It combines elements of Macbeth and The Playboy of the Western World and demands considerable technical expertise. This must have come "easily to the experienced Donegal group. Since its formation in 1976, the group has produced over 50 plays, six musicals and eight radio plays. It has reached the All Ireland Finals for full length plays in Athlone twice.
Nadia Quick directed St. Patrick's Dramatic Society from Dalkey, County Dublin, who won the Confined Competition in Ballyshannon with Alan Bennett's Say Something Happened. Sean McGinley also made two adjudicator's awards. Imelda McDonagh of Masquerade, Arklow, received one for her playing in Dermot Bolger's The Holy Ground and Hollywood Players from County Down (no newcomers to winning awards) got the other for set and ensemble. They had produced La Musica by Margeurite Duras (a play on the topical theme of divorce) with Nora Trueick directing.
The past year is not one which will be remembered fondly by many people in the amateur drama movement. High Court proceedings taken by the Drama League of Ireland caused a lot of dissension. One theatre group, I understand, split on the issue of donating a night's takings to help finance some of the costs of the case. So, let us hope that new blood in the National Executive will help to heal wounds in 1997. It is unwise to suggest that such wounds do not exist.
The healing process may begin with the imminent establishment of a new county structure, as ratified by the National Convention. ,Connaught DLI is to meet in Tubbercurry on January 14th to discuss the plans for their region. Noel Lyons is the co ordinator. Jane Leslie has details of a workshop for County Waterford groups in Dungarvan on January 18th. On the same date Fingal County groups will be meeting with the region's Arts Officer at the Marian Hall, Skerries. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown groups meet at the Victor Hotel, Rochestown Avenue on Tuesday 21st. For further information about any of these meetings ring 088-502117.
