Enniskillen One Act Festival to see 11 groups perform

For the past 44 years, every March the drama festival runs a competition where there is one play per evening over nine nights.

That will continue. But this festival is different – it will feature 11 plays, 11 groups and four nights!

Each night, audiences will be entertained by several short plays from different groups, many of whom will be well-known in Fermanagh, including The Knocks Drama Group, Derrylin Drama Group, Enniskillen Theatre Company, Erne Drama, Devenish Drama Group, Aughakillymaude and also Ballyshannon Drama Society.

These groups will be competing to gain the accolade of Best Play and other awards, as well as a bursary award of £300.

For many, this festival represents an opportunity to reconnect with their love of drama after the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

A £500 grant, supported by the Fermanagh Trust, will be awarded to one standout actor from Fermanagh, enabling them to attend the Drama League of Ireland Summer School.

This prestigious opportunity offers participants the chance to hone their acting or directing skills and bring their new knowledge back to their local drama groups.

Dave Rees, Director of the Enniskillen Drama Festival, expressed his gratitude for the local support.

“We are so very appreciative of the support from Fermanagh Trust. Our aim is not only to run festivals but to support local groups and develop drama within the county,” he said.

“We have a series of workshops running throughout the year to also help with this.

“Our first, hosted and supported by Derrylin Amateur Dramatic Society, and led by facilitator Declan Drohan, was a great success.

“Post festival-we will be reaching out to local groups asking for their training priorities.”

The festival serves as a platform to celebrate the rich tradition of drama in Fermanagh.

The Knocks Drama Group, established in 1996, is a prime example of the county’s long-standing love for theatre.

With performances each year – except during the pandemic – the group remains a pillar of the community.

Jim McConnell, Chairman of Knocks Drama Group, credits the group’s endurance to Marty McManus, their actor-director and driving force.

“Marty has been the backbone of our group,” Jim explained, reflecting on the importance of leadership in sustaining local drama.

Derrylin Amateur Dramatic Society (Derrylin Drama) has also been a key player in Fermanagh’s drama landscape for nearly 40 years.

This year, they’ve teamed up with Aughakillymaude Community Centre to perform two one-act plays: ‘Visitors’, by E. E. Hodgetts, and ‘Salad Days’, by Deirdre Kinahan.

Debbie Murphy, the group’s director since 2018, shared how the pandemic pushed them to try new ways of connecting with their audience.

“We bounced back with a series of short plays live-streamed from the Ardhowen Theatre,” she said.

Meanwhile, Enniskillen Theatre Company is a newer presence in the Fermanagh drama scene.

Founded in 2019, the group entered the festival circuit with a bang, reaching the All-Ireland Drama Finals in the Confined Section in both 2022 and 2023.

This year, they are excited to showcase Christine Maher Irvine’s rendition of Alan Bennett’s ‘A Bed Among the Lentils’, marking their debut in the One Act Festival.

Two fresh groups, Erne Drama and Devenish Drama, highlight the vibrant and emerging talent in Fermanagh.

Both groups, founded in 2024 as part of the Fermanagh School of Music and Performing Arts, provide a platform for young actors to explore their potential.

Under the guidance of Ciara O’Flanagan, these groups represent the future of drama in the county.

Familiar to many theatregoers will be the Ballyshannon Drama Society – a close neighbour with a rich history.

Founded in 1952, Ballyshannon has been a regular fixture at drama festivals across the island of Ireland, qualifying for the All-Ireland Open Finals in both 2023 and 2024.

Their production of ‘Margaret’, which saw Rachel O’Connor win Best Actress for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher, is just one example of their dedication to excellence in theatre.

“There are a great variety of plays that can be seen, many comedies, some drama and some thrillers with a twist at the end,” said Dave Rees.

“People from all over Fermanagh and beyond are coming together. Audiences will have a new experience whereby they can watch three plays a night, many with familiar faces on stage.

“There is competition but also a strong sense of camaraderie and community.

“All this could not be staged without the tremendous support of our sponsors, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Modern Tyres, Experience Enniskillen, Encirc, and the Killyhevlin Hotel, as well as The Fermanagh Trust.

“The festivals bring in visitors and many stay at local hotels and frequent local bars and restaurants.

“We look forward to the festival and hope for large audiences to support their local drama groups.

“With a ticket for all four nights for only £30, we are trying to help attract people to the theatre.

“This is the first festival in Fermanagh of its kind, and I want to say big thank-you to all the drama groups for their hard work and support,” he added.