Waterside drama festival to get underway

The festival is organised by a small band of volunteers who are committed to providing local audiences with the opportunity to see as broad a range of theatre as possible. It is primarily a celebration of the best of amateur drama from all over the island of Ireland, with nine different drama companies staging a full length play over the nine nights.

The festival organisers strive to ensure a mix of comedy, tragedy, classical works and new writing and also to include at least one new company competing in festival for the first time.

This year they are absolute classics such as Philadelphia, Here I Come presented by Lifford Players, and The Gentle Island presented by Blackburners Drama circle. Both plays are by Brian Friel, a Patron of the Waterside Theatre.

The line up for the 30th Festival is certainly impressive and also includes the Crokey Hill Club, Bradan Players, Clanabogan Drama Circle, Rosemary Drama Group, Newpoint Players and Theatre 3 Newtownabbey, all battling it out to be crowned festival champions! The Waterside Theatre certainly will be bustling over the nine days of the festival!

Tickets for the drama festival start from 8, 6 concessionary. but season tickets are keenly priced at 40, 30 concessionary for the nine nights.

Further information on the 30th Festival programme is available from the Waterside Theatre, phone 02871 314000 and from the theatre's website www.watersidetheatre.com.