Drama festival winners in Carnew

By Dan Walsh

Kilmuckridge (confined) and Thurles (open section) were the winners at the end of nine magical nights at the 2023 South Wicklow Drama Festival in St. Brigid’s Hall, Carnew, which concluded on Sunday night.

Back stage crews transformed the stage each night setting the correct dramatic scenes for each of nine plays. Add amazing lighting designs, sound, costumes and makeup and the scenes were set for the actors to perform. 

Appreciative audiences were treated to simply wonderful week of drama. A welcome cup of tea was provided next door at the interval, where they enjoyed an extra treat in the form of an Art Exhibition, curated by Carnew Community Art Group. They also had the chance to share their own views on the merits of each performance. 

Anna Walker, ADA, Adjudicator for the week attested to the very high standard attained by all of the groups during the week. She said she enjoyed every minute of her time in Carnew and thanked the organising committee.

She then gave her final adjudication and the much-awaited results of the 2023 South Wicklow Drama Festival as follows….

Confined Section; 1st – Kilmuckridge Drama Group – ‘Sive’ 2nd – Wayside Players – ‘The Field’ 3rd – Lislea Dramatic Players – ‘See How They Run’

Open Section; 1st – Thurles Drama Group – ‘The Seafarer’ 2nd – Wexford Drama Group – ‘The Father’

3rd – Bunclody-Kilmyshall Drama Group – ‘The Night Alive’

Confined Section:

Best Supporting Actor – Ben Murphy, Wayside

Best Supporting Actress – Ellen Hannaway, Lislea

Best Actor – John Hearne, Kilmuckridge

Best Actress – Margo Whelan, Kilmuckridge

Best Director – Anthony O’Connor, Kilmuckridge

Open Section:

Best Supporting Actress – Margaret Farrell, Bunclody-Kilmyshall

Best Supporting Actor – David McElgunn, Thurles

Best Actress – Seona O’Connor, Wexford

Best Actor – Andy Doyle, Wexford

Best Director – Margaret McCormack, Thurles

Adjudicator Award 1 – Enniscorthy Drama Group for putting on a production by one of their own

Adjudicator Award 2 – Eugene McLoughlin as Bull McCabe, Wayside.

Adjudicator Award 3 – Stage Management Team from Lislea Dramatic Players.

Best Comedy Performance (Jim Tighe Trophy) – Matt Tracey as Ivan, Thurles.

Magic Moment in Theatre (Pat Connaughton Award) – Director Kieran Tyrrell; Actor Billy

Canning for the finding of the turnip. (Bunclody-Kilmyshall)

Audience Cup (Altura Credit Union Award) – Thurles Drama Group – ‘The Seafarer’

Best Presentation – Bunclody- Kilmyshall DG, The Night Alive