City Drama Festival prizewinners

In front of an enthusiastic, audience at the Waterside Theatre on Saturday night, the City of Derry Drama Festival was brought to a close with laughter by the winning production in the confined section.
Mark Conway, right, Chair of the City of Derry Drama Festival Committee, with the Drama Festival 2016 adjudicator Scott Marshall.Mark Conway, right, Chair of the City of Derry Drama Festival Committee, with the Drama Festival 2016 adjudicator Scott Marshall.
Mark Conway, right, Chair of the City of Derry Drama Festival Committee, with the Drama Festival 2016 adjudicator Scott Marshall.

Frank McGuinness’ ‘Greta Garbo Came to Donegal’, by Coolgreany Players (Wexford), also won best supporting actress and best actor, best set and best producer in their section, taking them through to the All-Ireland finals.

Pomeroy Players took second place as well best supporting actor (David Gray), and best actress (Eilis Kelly).

Scott Marshall, Festival Adjudicator, commended the organising committee, saying: “I have been so impressed by the organisation of the Festival, the variety of productions that they chose to include, and the friendliness of everyone I met. It has been a very enjoyable and happy experience for me”, he added.

Open section was won Dundalk Theatre Workshop for ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ and they also took home the James Doherty Meats trophy for Overall Winner.

Second place went to Newpoint Players from Newry for ‘Time and Remembering’ as did the Audience Award and third place went to Butt Drama Circle for their production of Brian Friel’s ‘Translations’.

Chairman Mark Conway, thanked the Festival audiences, committee, volunteers and Festival sponsors.

“A drama festival doesn’t happen by accident,” he said.

“It takes months of planning and organising but, thanks to a very hard-working and determined Committee along with much-needed financial support from the Derry City and Strabane District Council and our sponsors, all local businesses, we are here tonight.

“Thank you to everyone who got us here”, he said.