The European Union INTERREG 11 Programme has given formal approval to Interact, a project sponsored jointly by the Drama League of Ireland and the Drama Association of Wales. The programme aims at establishing, developing and marketing amateur theatre activities and providing networks of co-operation. It incorporates inter-region visits, workshops, drama activity week-ends, theatre presentations, summer school and a Celtic Festival. The regions involved are the maritime areas of Wales and counties Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, Tipperary South, Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, Meath and Waterford City and county. A grant in the region of £90,000 is expected and the DLI will be appointing a project officer. The DLI's national executive has also produced a draft development plan to bring the association into the next millennium, which has been circulated. Advice to groups entering the One-Act Festival has been circulated too. It includes procedures for complaints and offers telephone help lines. These are: Ulster, Bertill Gallagher, 0702 334347; Munster, John Forrest, 066 29445; Connaught, Noel Lyons, 0907 30930 and Leinster, Willie O'Brien, 046 36250.
Backstage Theatre Group will host the Guinness Drama Festival at Backstage Theatre, Longford from November 14th to 16th.
Gort Mini-Theatre presented Lady Gregory's The Workhouse Ward and also the winning entry to the Galway Advertiser one-act competition at the recent Lady Gregory of Coole Park Autumn Gathering.
It is P.J. O'Connor Awards time again. RTE is inviting entries for an original half-hour radio play for their 1998 competition. It is open to Irish writers and writers resident in Ireland. The closing date for entries is November 14th.
The A.I.B. National Finals of the All-Ireland One-Act Festival will take place at the Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick from November 5th to 7th. Michael Vernon will adjudicate and the Festival club will be at the Glentworth Hotel. The event is hosted by Feile Luimni and is under the auspices of the Drama Federation of Ireland, a combination of A.D.C.I. and D.L.I. members.
