Dramatic society celebrates 75th year with O’Casey play

AWARD-winning actor Anna Manahan’s old theatrical group, the Waterford Dramatic Society, is celebrating its 75th anniversary with its production of Sean O’Casey’s classic canon The Plough and the Stars in the city.

The WDS — which once counted Tony Award-winning actor, the late Ms Manahan, among its active members — last night took to the boards at Garter Lane in the city for its production of the epic play set about the 1916 Rising.

The society is the longest running amateur theatrical group of its kind in the country.

The preview of the play sold out on Monday, as did last night’s gala evening, while the play is selling well for performances up to and including Saturday evening.

Bertie Rogers, a member of WDS for some 49 years who is playing Fluther Good, said: “The important factor is that as an amateur dramatic society, we’ve had a production running every year over the past 75 years without fail.

“And in that context, it makes us the longest-running group in the country.”

Tickets are available at the Garter Lane Theatre box office on O’Connell St at 051 855038. Tickets are €15 (€12 with concession).