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Newpoint Players are all set for their return to the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival in Athlone next week. One of nine finalists they will have their chance to shine next Friday 28 April with their production of Samuel Beckett's Happy Days. Two days earlier 26 April they also take part in the Ulster Drama Festival so it will be a busy week. Newpoint last appeared at the final in 2019 with another Beckett play, Waiting for Godot.
The 2023 All Ireland will take place at the Dean Crowe Theatre and Arts Centre, Athlone from Thursday 27 April to Friday 5 May , with the Presentation of Awards on Saturday 6 May. The Festival Adjudicator is Paula Dempsey.
Happy Days a play in two acts sees a minimal stage with Winnie, buried to her waist, follows her daily routine and prattles to her husband, Willie, who is largely hidden and taciturn. Her frequent refrain is “Oh this is a happy day.” Later, in Act II, she is buried up to her neck, but continues to talk and remember happier days.
On the 2023 circuit Newpoint won the Premier Award at Newry Drama Festival as well as Newtownabbey Drama Festival, Ballymoney Drama Festival and Cavan Drama Festival, quite an achievement.
The cast of two Treasa Davey as Winnie and Donal O'Hanlon as Willie will be accompanied by Director Sean Treanor; Set Designer, Tom Carville and Lighting Operator Declan McConaghy.
As Donal O'Hanlon explains theatrically "Our bags are packed, our lines are learned and our loins are girded. We will be there on the 28th at the scrake of dawn to build our desert ant hill, bombard it with light and dazzle the audience that night with our performance.
"Then we’ll shove it all back in a lorry and live on our nerves until the results come in on 6th May. We are delighted with the warm support from our Newry friends and comrades."
Newpoint Players 'Break a Leg'
To get tickets for the event go to www.deancrowetheatre.com
