Curtain up on first night of Newry Drama Festival

Chairperson Kate Carragher’s opening remarks included a welcome to the performing group Balally Players Theatre Company and to the audience, particularly patrons and sponsors whose continued support has brought the festival to its 70th year.

She also welcomed the adjudicator Mr Gerry Stembridge and then invited local man Mr Liam Hannaway, current chairman of ADCI and chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, to officially open the festival.

It was an impressive night in terms of audience size and they very warmly received the opening play.

Gerry Stembridge began his adjudication by asking everyone in the hall to give a rousing welcome to Balally Players for their performance of “Alone it Stands” by John Breen.

He then paid tribute to the physical prowess of the company by performing a forward roll on stage much to the delight of all present.

Gerry praised the simple but wholly appropriate presentation of the play which followed the specific request of the author in terms of staging, set and costumes. The lighting, in terms of cueing and speed of change was in Mr Stembridge’s words “not perfect but damn good”, as indeed he felt was the sound.

There were so many “joyous performances”, particularly when each actor had to play so many roles. He mentioned “The Dog” played by William Anglim, “The lone woman and bringer of babies” played by Beibhinn Whelan and Roy O’Connor who played “the best rugby fan and the worst father”.

He was also impressed with Des Loughbridge’s direction of the play which flowed very well and was both funny and energetic.

The actors were disciplined and so beautifully choreographed throughout.

Mr Stembridge did note that the accents may not have always been authentic and that the changes lacked precision on occasion, thus preventing the audience to see the change of characters immediately.

In conclusion he congratulated the group on their performance of “a terrifically difficult show which was a delight and a joy.”

Tonight, Tuesday, the festival welcomes Slemish Players’ production of ‘The Passing Day’ by George Shiels. Tickets are available to purchase online or can be bought in the Town Hall from 7pm. Curtain up at 7.30pm.