Ballina's One Act Drama Festival marks 10th anniversary

Ballina One Act Drama Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary at Ballina Arts Centre on Friday, October 31st and Saturday and Sunday, November 1st and 2nd. 

This year, there are four Open and five Confined groups performing a mix of drama and comedy, including three winners of previous One Act All-Ireland Finals Confined section - Phoenix Players in 2021, Millrace Drama in 2022 and Upstage Players in 2023.

The organisers welcome two new groups this year -  Tullamore Amateur Dramatic Society and Hoodwink Theatre Productions from Belturbet. The Cavan crew perform a new play written by one of the group.

Returning to the stage in Ballina, with a newly-scripted play, are Backstage Theatre Group from Longford.

Amateur Play-writing has flourished in recent years and the DLI/ ADCI Playwriting Award, sponsored by the Ramor Theatre, has seen an annual increase of interest with a number of the award winners seeing their plays performed regularly on the circuit.

Returning to Ballina Arts Centre also are near neighbours Castleconnor Drama Group and Breffni Players from Carrick-on- Shannon, as well as the return of Bradán Players from Leixlip.

Renowned adjudicator Paula Dempsey, who joined the festival previously in 2022, will officiate for the weekend.

The curtain goes up at 7.30pm on the opening night, Friday, October 31st, and at 7pm sharp on Saturday and Sunday, November 1st and 2nd.  Tickets will be on sale at www.ballinaartscentre.com or phone 096-73593. Nightly tickets cost €15 or you can purchase a weekend ticket for €35 (all three nights)

For more information, email ballinadramafestival@gmail.com or follow its social media pages on Instagram or Facebook.