One Act Drama Festival 2023

Prosperous Dramatic Society, Kildare – Open

Prosperous Dramatic Society, from the village of Prosperous in Co Kildare has a treasured history of community-based theatre for over 100 years. The group has a broad membership, with ages from 7 - 70+ and operates from its own magical 90 seat theatre in the centre of the village producing a number of plays each year and of course it’s legendary Christmas Panto. The group actively supports many local charitable organisations and often partners with other local groups to bring drama to the wider local community. PDS is extremely proud of its members, many of whom are now All Ireland Award-winning Actors, Actresses, Stage Managers, Set Designers, Directors and the accomplishments that they have achieved through the spirit of volunteering and teamwork across generations.

“The Same”
by Enda Walsh

When two women, both called Lisa, meet for the first time, they come to realize they have more in common than just a name!

Gaggin Drama Group, Cork – Confined

Gaggin Drama Group was founded in 1989 and is based just outside Bandon, in West Cork. The group has staged 27 productions to date including traditional Irish and modern American plays. The group entered the one act festival in 2021 with Tony Layton’s play Lucy in the Sky, this was a first for the group. The group also entered the Clare Radio Drama festival with an original comedy called ‘Ginger Nuts’.

“I'm not A.D.H.D. I'm B.O.L.D.”
by Georgina McKevitt & Jacinta Sheerin

‘I’m not A.D.H.D, I’m B.O.L.D’ is a look at the lives of two women who are brought together by circumstance: Dana, a primary school teacher with ADD is forced to attend therapy following a string of events and Ingrid, a drama therapist, is newly single and detached from life in every way. She requires TLC, unfortunately she is about to get a smack of OCD and PMT. One Day, one therapy room, one distressed puppet.

Kilmeen Drama Group, Cork – Open

Kilmeen Drama Group are based in Rossmore, West Cork and regularly compete on both the 1-Act and 3-Act circuits, as well as producing shows locally in St. Mary’s Theatre, Rossmore.

“Home Talk from Abroad”
by Brendan Griffin

It’s Christmas morning, mid 1980's, in New York city and 2 young Cork men talk of home and their anger towards the country that forced them to emigrate. However, there are still memories of home to be relived, other feelings to be evoked and possibly contact made with a father who doesn't even have a phone.

PIC Players, Offaly – Confined

PIC Players is a small community drama group formed in 2014. Our full length productions include Boeing Boeing and Red roses and Petrol. We have produced many one act plays for the festival circuit reaching the all-Ireland final in Ennis in 2021 with Harold Pinter’s A Kind of Alaska.

“Three Lives Three”
by Noeleen Kavanagh

A contemporary Irish drama about 3 sisters caring for their dying mother in her last days.

Noeleen Kavanagh is a writer from, and living in, rural County Wexford. This is her first play to be performed.

Corofin Dramatic Society, Clare – Open

Corofin Dramatic Society has a long proud theatrical history. Founded in 1950 we continually strive to improve our dramatic standards. A major milestone occurred in 2008 when we won the Confined All Ireland Finals with our production of “The Beauty Queen of Leenane”. A long time ambition was achieved in 2012 when we tread the boards of the Dean Crowe stage in Athlone with “The Subject was Roses” by Frank D. Gilroy. We were placed 3rd that year (no mean achievement for our first appearance). We have contested the finals on numerous occasions since but have failed to scoop the top prize. To this end we continue to strive and enjoy the drama along the way.

“Opening Night”
by John Clancy

Ella Black is a famous actress preparing for her role as Lady Macbeth on opening night when she is confronted by her past. What comes to light may end her career, a career she gave up so much to achieve.

Ennis Players, Clare - Open

Ennis Players is a theatre group based in County Clare and regularly stages productions of all genres. The group has had a long relationship with the 1-Act festival circuit, having won the All-Ireland in 2001 with ‘Lone Star’ and in 2004 with ‘The Dandydolls’. The group has also hosted the finals on a few occasions, most recently in 2021.

“Meeting Miss Ireland”
by Rosemary Jenkinson

Belfast, late noughties, Kathy is desperate to find a man – and nobody can say she’s not putting in the work. But her pot-dealing brother stands in her way. ‘Meeting Miss Ireland’ is a comedy about a typical brother-sister dynamic and the rage that only a sibling can bring out in you!

Conna Drama Group, Cork - Confined

Conna, a small rural village in East Cork, has a long history of drama. The Conna Drama Group was reformed in 1991 having been inactive for a number of years. Since then, they have successfully staged a full length play annually as well as numerous one act productions with proceeds going to the local community. The group has competed in the Confined One Act circuit since 2015 and qualified for the All Ireland finals in 2021 & 2022.

"Bobby Gould In Hell”
by David Mamet

This is Bobby Gould’s day of reckoning. The conniving movie mogul from Speed the Plow awakes in a strange room. A loquacious Interrogator is fishing waders enters. Gould argues his case. A woman he has wronged appears and gets so carried away that she says some sassy things to the Interrogator. In the end, Bobby is damned for being “cruel without being interesting”.

Glenamaddy Players, Galway - Confined

Glenamaddy Players, located in north Co. Galway, recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. Their team of talented actors and skilled crew had great enjoyment and success over the years. They have qualified for both One Act and Three Act Confined Finals on many occasions. Their most recent production, “Proof” by David Auburn, finished 2nd in the the All-Ireland Confined Finals in 2023.

“The Hen House”
by Tara Maria Lovett

An untimely end to a relationship has left Lily Maher with many unanswered questions. As she recalls that fateful night it begins to play itself over in front of her eyes. Will she finally get what she was due?

Oakhill Players, Clare – Confined

Oakhill Players are a drama group based in Knockerra in west Clare. They formed in 2016 to reignite the strong history of drama in the community. The group have performed One-Act and Three-Act plays and made their debut appearance on the One-Act Circuit in 2021.

"The Chip Van Plays Dixie"
by Robert Iles

A poignant comedy set on a park bench outside a cemetery where two strangers meet. Gary is a local man who has lost his wife and Babs a woman on her was to Australia, who feels she has lost everything. As they talk, it turns out they have more in common than they thought.