Moat Club host All-Ireland One-Act Drama Finals
Members of The Moat Club, Naas Photos: Aishling Conway
THE Moat Club, Naas, hosted the All-Ireland One-act Drama Finals last weekend, one of the most prestigious events on the calendar for those involved in amateur theatre.
11 drama groups from all over the country performed over the weekend at the Moat Theatre, their productions critiqued and marked by adjudicator Imelda McDonagh.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to adjudicate here this weekend,” said Ms McDonagh, “I want to thank the groups who left their hearts and souls on this stage.” Ms McDonagh announced Letterkenny Music and Drama Society and their production of by Kieran Kelly as the winner of the open section and Bailieborough Drama Group with their production of as the winner in the confined (less experienced) section.
In rewarding outstanding performances in the open section, she presented Kieran Kelly from Letterkenny Music and Drama Society who played the part of JP in as the Best Actor (Male) and Ellie Willoughby from Kilrush Drama Group who played Helen in by Catriona Daly as Best Actor (Female).
The winners in the confined section acting awards were Conor Shaffrey who played the part of Felix in Bailieborough’s production of as the Best Actor (Male) and Nicola Devine from Navan Theatre Group who played Dana in as Best Actor (Female).
The Moat Club, as hosts of the finals, inaugurated the Ann Hurley Memorial Award for the Best Moment, which was presented by Ann’s daughter Carole Winterbourne to Gunpowder Production’s creation of the final moment in . Ann was a much-loved member of the club who passed away last October. She had been very active as an actor and director on the one-act circuit in her lifetime.
The sustainability of the one-act circuit depends on a supply of great one-act plays and in recognition of this, the organisers of the one-act festival competition, the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland (ADCI) and the Drama League of Ireland (DLI) launched a playwrighting competition a number of years ago.
The winner of this year’s competition, announced by the chairperson of the judging committee Walker Ewart, was by Frank Houlihan. Runner up was by Moira Mahony and Sarah Fahy and in third place, by Barry McKinley. Frank Houlihan wins a week at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig, County Monaghan.
