Excitement builds ahead of Rathangan Drama Festival opening night

Rathangan town and hinterland is looking forward to its 33rd annual drama festival, which starts tomorrow St Patrick’s Day at 8pm in the Community Centre and will continue for eight nights until Friday 24 .

Festival Director Sean Glennon explains there are eight nights of diverse theatre ahead with a mixture of comedy and drama and tragedy provided by eight groups from all across the country including Kildare, Tipperary, Cork, Mayo and all the way from County Down.

“We hope that all the groups they enjoy their visit to Rathangan and secure nominations for either the Bostick Confined Finals in Glenamaddy or the RTE Open Finals in Athlone. We wish them every success,” said Sean.

He also mentions that it is important to remember that the festival is a competition and is part of the annual All Ireland drama circuit which is overseen by the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland.

This year is a very special year for the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland which oversees the running of the circuit each year. Its 70 years since the first circuit was organised in 1953.

Rathangan festival was established in 1987 and hopefully it will continue on in to the future. The programme cover and first committee has been included in the 2023 programme to highlight and remember all those involved from the beginning.

“The festival committee would like to thank all local sponsors and patrons and also acknowledge Kildare County Council as our main sponsor. Without this support of all sponsors and patrons, the festival would not survive,” added Sean.

“The festival adjudicator this year Mr Jerry Stembridge who has huge experience in drama and is a writer and director of theatre, radio TV and film. He was involved in amateur drama back in the 1980’s and his group, Temple Players, won the coveted All Ireland title in and wish him the very best on his deliberations.”

Sean points out the audiences have always provided great support and he hopes that they will continue to do so and that this festival will be as successful as in previous years.

“The festival is a great place to meet people. You can come along on your own and be part of the audience and wont feel alone. The great thing about the eight nights is you can pick one or two plays to see or come along to all eight,” he stresses.

You can book on 087 9670138 or just turn up on the night. Admission is €15 and concessions are €10 (OAP’s/Students). Curtains up at 8pm (7.30pm on final night).

— Friday, March 17: Holycross/Ballycahil DG, Co Tipperary in A Scull in Connemara by Martin McDonagh

— Saturday, March 18: Thurles Drama Group, Co Tipperary in The Seafarer! by Conor McPherson

— Sunday March 19: Kilmeen Drama Group, Co. Cork in Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward

—Monday March 20: Hinterland , Co Tipperary in The Playboy of the Western World by J.M. Synge

— Tuesday March 21: Salmon Éile Drama Group, Co. Kildare in Pitchfork Disney by Philip Ridley

— Wednesday, March 22: Harvest Moon Theatre Group, Co. Mayo in God of Carnage by Yasmina

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— Thursday March 23: Newpont Players Co Down with Happy Days by Samuel Beckett

— Friday, March 24: Prosperous Dramatic Society, Co Kildare in Oleanna by David Mamet