THE Dunloy drama group pulled out of last night's amateur theatre festival in Larne after loyalist posters appeared in the town warning the group not to perform.
The threat, which is being linked to the continuing dispute over the refusal of Dunloy residents to allow Orangemen to parade in their town, was condemned by the Democratic Unionist Party mayor of Larne and members of the amateur drama movement.
Dunloy Players cancelled their performance after posters were placed outside the leisure centre where they were due to perform. The posters said the group was unwelcome because of the "sectarian bigotry" in Dunloy.
The Larne mayor, Mr Samuel McAllister, said he felt saddened that the Dunloy Players had withdrawn from the festival. The festival attracted groups, comprising people of the two main religions, from all over Ireland.
Mr Sean Hollywood, chairman of the Association of Ulster Drama Festivals, said that for nearly 50 years the amateur drama movement had been a force for good in Northern Ireland
Mr William Burns, chairman of the Larne festival, said local people were annoyed and, disgusted at the threat. Despite the troubles people in the amateur movement believed that areas like the arts and sports should be above controversies such as the parades issues.
