Ballina gets ready to host another brilliant One Act Drama Festival
Pictured at last year's Ballina One Act Drama Festival in Ballina Arts Centre were, front row: Avril Greham, Social Media; Gerry Ring, Treasurer; Anna Walker, Adjudicator ADA; Padraig Mitchell (Martin Mitchell Memorial Cup), Marie Loftus, Festival Director; Christina Flynn, Festival Secretary. Back Row: Conor Shaffrey (Millrace Players, Best Actor Open), Tim Oates (Ray Leonard Players, Best Director and Play Confined), Maura Clancy (Corofin Drama Group, Best Actress Open), Brendan Hurley (Conna Drama Group, Adjudicators Award for Patrick Murphy), Liam Daly (Millrace Players, Best Director and Play Open). Picture: John O'Grady
On November 1, the ninth annual Ballina One Act Drama Festival will commence. Hosted by the Ballina Arts Centre, the festival consists of 11 plays performed over three days.
“Even though we have been doing this for nine years, people in Ballina have no idea what the One Act Drama Festival is,” Ballina One Act Drama Festival Public Relations Officer Trisha Browne told the . “We just want to highlight what it entails.
“You see three plays in one night,” Trisha explained. “One might be hilarious and tickle your fancy. The next might be deep and thought-provoking. None will be longer than 55 minutes.”
In addition to the standard three nights of three plays, the Ballina One Act Drama Festival will include a matinee on Sunday afternoon, which accommodates two additional performances.
“It is amateur drama, but it is the best of amateur drama in the country,” Trisha assured.
The Ballina One Act Drama Festival was originally founded in 2015 by the late Eugene Loftus. Marie Loftus inherited the position of Festival Director from her husband.
According to Marie, the amateur drama movement in Ireland is second to the GAA in the number of people involved.
“You get to know people all over the country and it is like one big family,” she said. “If you broke down in any county, you are bound to know somebody from a drama circuit.”
While the Ballina One Act Drama Festival is a phenomenal way for drama enthusiasts to come together, it is also an intense competition.
Eleven drama groups from Sligo, Mayo, Kildare, Donegal, Cavan, Clare, Dublin and Galway will compete for the chance to qualify for the All Ireland One Act Finals in Naas in December.
However, the Ballina One Act Drama Festival is only one of 22 One Act Drama Festivals taking place this year. There are a total of 43 drama groups on the circuit with dreams of making it to the finals.
The Ballina One Act Drama Festival selects an adjudicator from the Association of Drama Adjudicators (ADA). It is the role of the adjudicator to critique each performance.
Groups are assessed based on acting, production, presentation and dramatic achievement. Groups receive 12 points for placing first, five points for placing second and two points for placing third. In order to qualify for the All Ireland One Act Finals, groups must earn at least 36 points.
Marie is very deliberate when it comes to the selection of an adjudicator. She looks for someone enthusiastic and prepared.
“These groups have worked so hard and they deserve the best,” Marie said.
The Ballina One Act Drama Festival is excited to welcome back adjudicator Geoff O'Keeffe. O’Keeffe adjudicated the second Ballina One Act Drama Festival in 2016. The accomplished actor and director has an MA in Theatre Studies from DCU and regularly facilitates workshops for theatre groups around the country.
“He is very experienced and knows what he is talking about,” Marie adds.
If the promise of a high-stakes competition does not entice you, maybe the free tea, coffee and biscuits will. To find more information about the Ballina One Act Drama Festival and purchase a ticket, visit the Ballina Arts Centre website or call 096-73593.
