THE best news for some time comes from Calm Kelly, the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland's, All Ireland Festival Director. He has announced Esso's New Irish Play Award, which will be given to the best new play written by a playwright never produced previously.
The object of the award is to encourage and recognise the depth and, diversity of play writing talent in Ireland today. A worthy object and a praiseworth beginning, and a project called tar on many occasions in this column.
The ADCI recognises that this first year will be one for manuscripts in the lockers, because the closing date for submission is tomorrow. Not alone that, but there must be a group ready to preform the play an May 18th, the last day of the 44th All Ireland Drama Festival. It will be an afternoon performance in Athlone's Little Theatre. Esso will award £500 to the winning playwright.
Scripts should be sent or should I say couriered to Calm Kelly, Griffith Street, Athlone (phone/fax 0902-72333).
News from the Arts Council's regional meetings suggests considerable comment from amateurs and some difficulty in adhering to the theme set dawn. There is high praise, however, for this opportunity to air diverse views and the council is to be congratulated in providing such a valuable forum.
The Olivian Players claim an amateur premiere far their Death and the Maiden by, Ariel Dorfman, which runs until Saturday at their Gardiner Place, Dublin theatre at 8.30 p.m. nightly. Booking at 01-2851666. The play then travels to Garey (March 12th), Strabane (15th), Ballyshannan (16th) and Scarriff (18th). Catherine Leahy directs.
The Olivian Theatre is available to rent, and Club Players perform Jim Cartwright's Road there on February 26th, 27th and 28th. A look through the script of Road prompts one to sympathise with Jim Martini, its director there is a huge cast and difficult situations.
