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Night two of Newry Drama Festival saw local outfit Newpoint Players pack the crowds in with their production of James Joyce's The Dead adapted by Sean Treanor. Empty seats were difficult to find, with getting everyone settled in time for curtain up quite a challenge.
Speaking at the end of the night Adjudicator Tony Finnegan reflected on the challenges of the play, the use of snow, the music and soundscape, the management of a large cast on the circuit and the timing of music to dialogue. Finnegan thought the snow aspect was handled very well, in fact you could see snow flakes fall off the actors coats as they arrived. He also appreciated the live music.
He felt the presentation created an Edwardian Dublin very simply. Lighting showed very good preset and use of blue light. Very nice work behind the gauze. The image at the end with the 3 hostesses and Michael Fury was "very nice work". Sound was well done although Finnegan thought the preshow music could have been altered in volume to work with the large audience. Costumes were lovely though he thought some were ill fitting, though Mary Jane’s dress was lovely and there was a nice quality of coats and capes.
As for the acting, the Adjudicator felt that Gabriel ( Lowry Hodgett) showed good voice projection. He also portrayed his jealousy of the dead boy very well and displayed good offline acting before realising that Gretta was asleep. Gretta ( Sinead Lunny) looked beautiful. "She showed good reticence to be in Gabriel’s arms. Because of this from the outset we knew there were problems in the marriage. Her pause before 'I think he died for me' was beautifully observed.
Julia and Kate ( Pauline Lynch-McDonald and Siobhán Carragher) were a comic double and "had a great sense of the class structure and their social climbing." Mary Jane ( Ellen McGuigan) "showed a very nice singing voice and stage countenance". Freddie ( Neil Heaney) "was possibly too drunk from the beginning, which meant he had nowhere to go with it by the end". His ad-lib quip “ thanks for all the drinks” was very good and should, Finnegan suggested, be added to the script!
Mr Browne ( Mickey Brannigan) had a twinkle in his eye and a sense of fun throughout. Lily ( Sarah Smith) was a staff member with a bit of attitude. Bartell ( Mathew Freeman) nice baritone and a strong presence. Pat Whelan ( Jim McGuigan) must have started young! Mr Doyle ( Terence Rafferty) excellent timing and sensitivity. The Director ( Sean Treanor) worked a very nice moment when Gretta listens to “ The Lass of Aughrim”.Transition into the Gresham took too long, but the Adjudicator was very aware that this play needed to be staged in different theatres on the circuit.
He said that the last few paragraphs of Joyce’s “ The Dead” are some of the most beautiful lines ever written and we heard every word. Finnegan added that this was a play which takes a lot. To put as many people on the stage and to take them round the country is a massive undertaking.
NOTE Photos to follow...
The Plays 7.30pm Nightly - Tickets at Door.
- Wednesday 25 March: Death Trap - Holywood Players
- Thursday 26 March: Heaven - Balally Players
- Friday 27 March: Hansard - Rosemary Drama Group
- Saturday 28 March: Da - Bunclody/ Kilmyshall
