West Clare Drama Festival Doonbeg 2025

Synopsis

Antigone & Ismene are the daughters of Oedipus and Jocasta. Antigone is the older of the two sisters. Creon- is Jocasta’s brother and the ruler of Thebes. He is Haemon’s father, who is supposed to marry Antigone. Polyneices & Eteocles are the sons of Oedipus and Jocasta. The setting of this tragedy takes place outside the entrance to the royal palace of Thebes, a city state in ancient Greek mythology. Oedipus the former king was banished from Thebes when the prophecy of incest was proven true. Eteocles claimed the throne, exiling Polyneices. Polyneices then attacked the city. Neither of the two won as they ended up killing each other. Creon becomes king and declares that Eteocles will have a proper burial; however, Polyneices’ body will be left for the dogs and vultures to eat, as a punishment for his disgrace. Antigone, decides that she must give her brother a proper burial which was against the wishes of Creon. The Chorus, consisting of Theban elders, inform us of the background and comment on the action.

History of Group

Brideview Drama are based in Co. Waterford. The group was formed in the late 1980s and began competing in the early 90s, winning the confined 3Act in 2005 with Moonshine by Jim Nolan.

They qualified for the Open All-Ireland Finals for the first time in 2018 with ‘Stolen Child’, finishing in second place. They reached the finals again in 2019 with 'Philadelphia, Here I Come' finishing in 3rd place. They stage a very successful Autumn production each year in their local community which provides an excellent opportunity for younger members to get the experience of live drama.

Synopsis

When Richard Willey, a government junior minister, plans to spend the evening with Jane Worthington, one of the opposition's secretaries, things go disastrously wrong leading to a hilarious chain of events. Lies, deceit and disguises turns the rest of the evening into a never ending whirlpool of mayhem.

History of Group

Ballycogley Players Drama Group have been in existence for close to 50 years and compete annually on the amateur drama circuit. We were delighted to be crowned All Ireland Confined Drama Champions in 2018 with our production of the “The Night Alive” by Conor McPhearson. We stage one act plays as part of Wexford Opera Festival each October, staging them in various venues all over the southeast. In this only our 3rd year competing in the Open Section of the drama circuit we are delighted to welcome on board former All- Ireland open winning director, Pat Whelan as our director this year. We hope you enjoy our production of "Out Of Order"

Synopsis

The play centers on Hecuba, the fallen queen of Troy, and her grief at the loss of her city and her family at the conclusion of the Trojan War. Her daughter, Cassandra, mourns the loss of her service as maiden priestess in the temple of Apollo and captivates the audience as the mysterious and frenzied priestess.

History of Group

Memory Lane Theatre is a covid baby, born out of a strong desire and lust for the stage.

Our first production ‘Roadside’ by John McDonnell was an outdoor performance to comply with guidelines. This performance was dedicated to all the great local actors, now deceased, with whom we shared the stage.

Our second production was the revival of an old Victorian melodrama ‘Murder in the Red Barn’, presented locally in a marquee theatre in tribute to the great travelling fit-up theatre companies. These family theatres brought drama to rural Ireland prior to the arrival of television and cinema.

This year, Memory Lane Theatre are proud to present ‘The Trojan Women’ by our own late great North Kerry poet and playwright Brendan Kennelly.

Synopsis

Brian Friel’s Faith Healer tells the story of Frank Hardy, his wife Grace, and his manager Teddy, who traverse rural Wales and Scotland, offering Frank’s unique gift to people in need. Over the course of four monologues, the story of their shared life together is revealed in conflicting, haunting, and devastating accounts. Their stories weave together to form a spellbinding narrative in this masterpiece of modern theatre.

History of Group

DADS (Dunmore Amateur Dramatic Society) revived drama in Dunmore in 2003 with a local production of Da by Hugh Leonard. Since 2005 they have been regular participants on the 3-Act Circuit, achieving 2nd place on three occasions in the Confined All-Ireland Finals: 2011 – The Good Father by Christian O’Reilly; 2015 – Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me by Frank McGuinness; 2016 – The Gigli Concert by Tom Murphy. In 2013 DADS won 1st place in the All-Ireland Confined 1-Act Finals with A Galway Girl by Geraldine Aron.

Synopsis

Gertie O’Grady, a retired teacher and spinster, comes to stay with her niece, Mary Murphy, after a spell in hospital. Mary tries to persuade her aunt to make a will. When Gertie apparently ‘dies’, Mary’s husband, Dan comes up with an elaborate plan to get their hands on her money.

History of Group

History of the Group: There has been a long history of drama in the Cooraclare/Cree area. In the early days of Doonbeg Drama Festival groups from Cooraclare and Cree were regular entrants. In the intervening years, staunch supporters of drama, such as producer Tom McNamara ensured that the dramatic art would survive in the area. Since his departure from the scene interest in drama faded somewhat. A brief revival happened in 2010, 2011 and in 2018. The 2019 production was cancelled due to the covid virus. Under the direction of Seán Dunleavy, and with new members added to the group, there is enthusiasm for the future.

Synopsis

This play follows the life of Brenda Barnes from age nine right through to her forties. As we journey with her through her life we witness many challenges she faces including having a short- tempered mother and a father who is his own worst enemy. This insight to their family life is both absorbing and poignant from start to finish.

History of Group

Sliabh Aughty Drama Group was formed in 1989 in Mountshannon Co Clare. Our first production was ‘The Field’ by John B Keane, which achieved 2nd place in the All Ireland drama final under the guidance of Maud Nash. Since then the group has performed regularly on the festival circuit with plays like ‘Power of Darkness’, ‘I Do Not Like Thee Doctor Fell’ and more recently ‘Unforgiven’ ‘Sive’ and ‘Moonglow’ which all competed in the All Ireland finals. We look forward to entertaining audiences with our current production ‘Same Old Moon’.

Synopsis

In this 1978 Pulitzer Prize for Drama written by Donald J Colburn, Weller Martin and Fonsia Dorcey, two elderly residents at a nursing home, strike up an acquaintance. Neither seems to have any other friends, and they start to enjoy each other's company. Weller offers to teach Fonsia how to play Gin Rummy. Weller's inability to win a single hand becomes increasingly frustrating to him, while Fonsia becomes increasingly confident. While playing their games of gin, they engage in conversations about their families and their lives in the outside world. Gradually, each conversation becomes a battle, much like the ongoing gin games, as each player tries to expose the other's weaknesses, to belittle the other's life, and to humiliate the other thoroughly.

History of Group

Camross Drama Group are in existence for 65 years. They are a small rural group of about 20 members originally based in Old school, Carrowreigh with performances staged in Camross Hall, the renowned Ballroom of 1960’s.’70’s ‘80’s. Dances are still held there on First Friday of each month.

They have been taking part in One Act festivals almost every year since 1950’s, winning 5 National titles, all of which featured the late Des Waters, Actor, Director and Author of great renown on 1 Act Circuit.

Although they produce a full length play almost every year, it is only in last few years, they take part on Full Length Circuit and are delighted to be back on full Length Circuit and look forward presenting this 1978 Pulitzer prize winning drama, “The Gin Game” by DL Coburn on its first Circuit performances.

They eagerly look forward to to meeting old friends and making new ones in 2024 having tasted success in qualifying for All Ireland in 2022. With “The Kings of The Kilburn High Road”

Synopsis

Valene and Coleman are two brothers who have lived together for years with constant petty squabbling. Now after their father's death, and following the exhortations of the local priest, a new understanding could develop. Could, that is, if the two brothers could stop arguing over crisps, ornaments, who left the top off Valene's pen and whose turn it is to read a magazine.

History of Group

Kilmeen Drama Group, based in Rossmore, West Cork, are one of the longest established drama groups in the country, regularly competing on the 3 Act and 1 Act circuits.

Synopsis

Agnes of God, a riveting play written by John Pielmeier, explores themes of faith, identity, and the complexities of the human mind. Set in a convent, the story revolves around three central characters: Sister Agnes, a young novice nun; Mother Miriam Ruth, the stern and pragmatic Mother Superior; and Dr. Martha Livingstone, a psychiatrist tasked with evaluating Agnes after a shocking event.

The play unfolds as a mystery, driven by the discovery of a dead new-born found in Agnes's room, leading to accusations of murder. Agnes, who claims not to remember the events leading up to the baby's death, is caught between her devout faith and the harsh realities of the world beyond the convent's walls. As Dr. Livingstone delves into Agnes's psyche, she faces resistance from both Agnes and Mother Miriam, revealing a complex web of secrets, trauma, and religious fervour.

Agnes of God is a captivating exploration of faith, identity, and the human psyche. The challenges faced by actors in bringing this play to life are numerous, ranging from the emotional complexities of the characters to the philosophical themes that underpin the story. Successfully navigating these challenges results in a compelling performance that leaves audiences contemplating the boundaries of faith and the mysteries of the human soul.

History of Group

St Patrick's Drama Group, Westport, was founded in 1964 and has been entertaining audiences ever since in Ireland, England and the US. Furthermore, it was a recipient of a Jury prize at the Martin McDonagh Festival in Perm, Russia, in 2020 for its production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane, seen as a video at the festival. This is the group's second appearance on the full-length circuit, following a successful run with 'Dear Frankie' by Niamh Gleeson in 2023.