Some of the best young actors in Donegal took to the stage of the Balor Theatre, Ballybofey, over two nights last week for the annual Secondary Schools Drama Festival.
Organised by Teresa McGowan of the award-winning Butt Drama Circle, the prestigious competition has been running for more than forty years.
During that time, it has given the youth of the county the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience in a professional theatre.
At the awards ceremony on Wednesday night, students from The Royal and Prior Comprehensive, Raphoe, swept the boards with their powerful production of ‘Blood Brothers.’ They took home the inaugural Ben Duffy Perpetual Cup for 1st place along with the Best Presentation award.
Colaiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon
Colaiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon
Colaiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon
Their teacher and director, Ms Linda O’Boyle, was also awarded the cup for Best Director and ‘Mickey’ received a Best Actor plaque. Colaiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon, came second with ‘Alias Cinderella’ while the local St Columba’s College finished in 3rd place with extracts from ‘Big Maggie.’
Other award winners were the second Colaiste Cholmcille team with their production of ‘Asking for Trouble’, Errigal College, Letterkenny, with ‘Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations,’ Loreto College ‘Thank You for the Music’ and The Yard Youth Centre with an original production called ‘Unmask-Ulinity.’
The festival was adjudicated by Maura Logue who awarded many certificates of merit to participants as well as seven ‘Outstanding Performance’ plaques.
She also paid tribute to their teachers who, she said, go beyond the call of duty in taking on theatre productions. Ms Logue said she felt very fortunate to have again been invited to this year’s schools festival. She also delivered some wise words of wisdom for the young actors and to those in the audience.
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