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This weekend sees the opening of Lislea’s 42nd Annual Drama Festival at The Old School House Theatre. The festival opens tomorrow Saturday 24 February 2024 and events run to Saturday 9 March.
There will be 8 groups performing at this year’s festival over the next three weeks and they will all be trying to catch the favourable attention of the very experienced festival adjudicator and award-winning director and actress, Imelda Mc Donagh.
This weekend the festival has two riveting family dramas. On Saturday night 24th the Enniskillen Theatre Company and their interpretation of the classic Martin Mc Donagh play The Lonesome West.The story centres around two brothers, Valene and Coleman, living alone in their father's house after his recent death. They find it impossible to exist without massive and violent disputes over the most mundane and innocent of topics. Martin Mc Donagh’s black comic portrayal of modern, rural Ireland will have you laughing and horrified in equal measures!
On Sunday 25 Castleblayney Players from Co Monaghan will perform a new play written and directed by Joe Hanratty called No Going Back. The play tells the story of two brothers who have taken part in the Irish War of Independence and they both carry scars from that conflict that cannot easily be shaken off. Tom the IRA Captain engaged in a lot of the fighting while Tom’s younger brother Michael has also seen his share of violence and has been at the receiving end of it too. After the Civil War they both settle down to life on a farm that was once part of their family heritage. That too carries its own ghosts of the past. But their experiences of conflict continue to come back and impact on their lives.
A festival spokesperson said "The festival committee are delighted that Aidan Strain Electrical Engineering, Mullaghbawn, continues as our main sponsor as Aidan is a longstanding patron and friend of our festival. With his generous backing, and the support of all our many great local sponsors, the Lislea Drama Festival continues to flourish."
Patrons will be pleased to note that a limited number of Season Tickets are still on sale priced at £40. Tickets will also be available on the night at the Box Office from 7-8pm. Please note the Final night curtain up is at 7.30pm. Nightly Admission: Adults £8. Children £4. Ticket bookings 02830830069. Check out their social media and local press for further details. Find them on Facebook and follow them on @LisleaDramaFest #lovelislea Instagram @lisleadramafest.
