The popular and talented modern Irish playwrights (Marina Carr and Martin McDonagh for example) are strongly featured with a few classics thrown in for flavour!

Parts of the programme clash with that of the Newry Drama Festival of which I have been a patron for more than forty years – and so I cannot attend it all. I shall be particularly anxious to attend the opening and closing nights ((Wexford’s Ferns Group performing Bog of Cats, and Derry’s Two Bridges offering Morna Regan’s Midden) and I’d also like to attend An Inspector Calls and one or two of the comedies. I shall comment in advance on each night’s play for those who like to know in advance what to expect!

It has become increasing difficult to tell between the “Confined” and the “Open” sections of the amateur drama circuit in terms of quality of performance. I am particularly enamoured of South Armagh, Lislea and their Drama Group in particular, and of their enthusiastic all-age audiences.

I would urge all who can to attend and to purchase season tickets. These go on sale from tomorrow afternoon (Saturday 3-5 pm at Lislea Hall) at £27 for eight performances.

Hope to see you there!

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