High drama as counties top awards list

GROUPS from Waterford and Clare won the two major awards at the 56th North Cork Drama Festival in Charleville.

Ballyduff Drama Group from west Waterford won the open competition with a production of Caught in the Net by Ray Cooney, while the confined section was won by Corofin Drama Society from Clare with a presentation of Martin McDonagh’s play Beauty Queen of Leenane.

Michael Twomey adjudicated at the festival which featured five productions in the open competition and four in the confined event.

Results include Bryan MacMahon Trophy (Open) — 1, Ballyduff Drama Group, Caught in the Net (Ray Cooney); 2, Kilmeen Drama Group, Cripple of Inishmaan (Martin McDonagh); 3, Palace Players, Fermoy, The Band (Liam Howard). Golden Vale.

Cup (Confined) — 1, Corofin Drama Society, The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Martin McDonagh); 2, Schull Drama Group, “The Factory Girls (Frank McGuinness); 3, Holycross Drama Group, Love in the Title (Hugh Leonard).

Special Awards: Fr Murphy Rose Bowl (Best Production) Open — Tim Coffey, Kilmeen; Associate Members’ Cup (Best Production) Confined — John Clancy, Corofin; John Meade Memorial Trophy (Best Set and Presentation) Open — Kilmeen; Frank O’Hara Memorial Trophy (Stage Management) — Fermoy; Marian Players Shield (Best Set and Presentation) Confined — Corofin; Nesta O’Flynn Memorial Trophy (Lighting and Sound) — Corofin; Claud Gough Memorial Trophy (Outstanding Moment of Theatre) — Corofin; Most Promising Young Actor or Actress — Orla O’Connell, Anvil Players, Kilmallock; Vic Loving Award (Best Costume) — Anvil Players; Kit and Jo O’Gorman Sculpture (Most Entertaining Production) — Ballyduff.

Ted O’Riordan Awards. Best Actor (Open) — Ritchie Walsh, Ballyduff. Best Actress (Open) — Elaine Connolly, Kilmeen. Best Actor (Confined) — John O’Connell, Ardagh Drama Group. Best Actress (Confined) — Maura Clancy, Corofin.

John Ryan Donated Awards (Open). Francie Ryan Memorial Cup — (Best Supporting Actor) — Christy O’Sullivan, Kilmeen. Maureen Ryan Memorial Cup (Best Supporting Actress) — Mandy Dunworth, Anvil.

(Confined) — Best Supporting Actor — Martin O’Donoghue, Corofin. Best Supporting Actress — Jane Hurley, Schull.