The 46th Esso All-Ireland Drama Festival programme in Athlone is packed with strong, serious drama. After its official opening by the Minister for the Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera, today, Sundrive Players present Fathers and Sons by Brian Friel (after Turgenev). It is 11 years since the National Theatre staged this dramatisation of the Russian author's novel portraying the conflict of traditionalist with the new generation of nihilists.
Corn Mill Theatre, Carrigallen make their ninth All-Ireland appearance with Billy Roche's Belfry tomorrow. The play traces the lives of Artie O'Leary, sacristan, and those who frequent the sacristy and belfry of Fr Pat's Wexford church. This is the type of work at which Corn Mill excel. Sebastian Barry's The Steward of Christendom is the choice of Coolera, Sligo on Thursday. The Dublin Metropolitan Police, founded in 1786, was reorganised in 1889 and 1909. Its "G" Division gathered intelligence. Barry's play examines Thomas Dunne, ex-Chief Superintendent of the D.M.P., as he tries to shake off the shackles of history.
Despite its monologic construction, Brian Friel's Faith Healer (Friday) is popular for the challenge it presents and Thurles Drama Group demonstrated their capability when they produced Someone Who'll Watch Over Me by Frank McGuinness in Athlone last year. Although there is no dramatic action, Faith Healer's individual observations on shared experiences of the past can hold a receptive audience and Athlone boasts just that.
Torch Players, Limerick, launch a welcome blast from the past on Saturday (9th) with The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds. The 1970 Paul Zindel five-hander is built around an American girl's high school science project, her sister's pet rabbit and her eccentric, boorish mother's hatred of the world. It is amusing but deep and very entertaining.
Moat Club Naas make a welcome return to Athlone with Saint Oscar, Terry Eagleton's portrait of Wilde. They have nothing to declare but their genius!
The winning group from the All-Ireland Confined Finals will appear next Monday. Lifford Players follow on Tuesday with Hugh Leonard's adaptation of The Barracks, John McGahern's 1963 first novel.
Putting the boot in for their third Esso trophies in a row, Enniscorthy Theatre Group present Billy Roche's Cavalcaders on Wednesday 13th. The cobblers who form a barbershop quartet will delight the Dean Crowe audience.
Arthur Miller's The Crucible, based on records of the witch trials in Salem, has become a successful film; properly directed and performed, the play can be much more rewarding. Palace Players from Fermoy should pack out the theatre on Thursday 14th.
In 1983, Tom MacIntyre adapted Patrick Kavanagh's poem The Great Hunger. A producer said to me at the opening night interval, "I like a play to say something". Castleblaney Players have taken on a gigantic task but if anyone can snatch the Kavanagh from the difficult work, they will. The early (7.30) opening and the late final results from adjudicator John Fox on May 16th will make it a long evening. In between, there will be bets on the outcome when the curtain comes down on Hollywood Players' production of Robert Bolt's A Man for All Seasons. The play reconstructs the events that led to the execution of Sir Thomas More, the English Lord Chancellor of 1535. Strong stuff, but Hollywood are no novices and will do this play justice. The books will be open until the final curtain in Athlone this year!
The All-Ireland Drama Festival, which begins tonight, runs until Saturday May 17th at the Dean Crowe Hall, Athlone. Booking from, tel: 0902-72622.
