WHEN the Association of Drama Adjudicators (ADA) selected two new members last September, one of them, Larry McCluskey, requested that his membership should not be activated until January 1st this year. He had hoped that before he opted for the box with the blue light, he might succeed in bringing about certain reforms that he considered necessary in the administration of amateur theatre countrywide. He was disappointed.
Resigning in protest from the NEC of the Drama League of Ireland last March, more recently he left the organisation completely. He expresses some disillusionment with the current state of affairs: "There is a big reform job to be done," he says. "DLI hardly matters at this stage, in any policy or positive sense. It needs to be re energised by its members, the groups that are doing real work in theatre. The amateur drama movement generally lacks focus. It is all facile rhetoric, no real action." Hard words from a man to whom I have listened in the past as he spoke sensible words on the art for which he has a true passion.
Larry is artistic director of Drumlin Players, based in the Monaghan-Cootehill area, but he has also served with Ballintra Players, Phoenix Players and Kildare, Monaghan and Corcaghan Dramatic Societies. CEO of Monaghan VEC since 1980, he chaired the National Youth Arts Committee (1991) that produced the Youth Arts Work policy report. That document guided the Arts Council and, the Department of Education in subsequent arts-in-education initiatives.
From 1989 to 1993, Larry was a member of the Arts Council and thereafter was a consultant in connection with the Council's Irish Theatre Review. Indeed, an observer of his work and opinions can see his views on amateur theatre reflected in the council regional policy and future planning literature.
An Esso Award winner for acting and directing (Faith Healer, 1989), Larry has been appearing in Athlone for over four decades. He has experience in lighting and design too. He visited Monte Carlo, Liverpool and, more recently, Masan in Korea with representative Irish theatre, groups. He also has some film experience.
The ADA will benefit from Larry McCluskey's membership. His shrewd judgment was in evidence last year when, at qualifying festivals, he selected the eventual winners of both the Confined and Open competitions. From here on, he intends to focus more on production and adjudication "rather than the politics of amateur theatre, which I consider too time-consuming and time-wasting. There comes a time when you only want to be involved where your input really matters or counts, both personally and organisationally. You want to cut out all the rest life is too short and precious to be wasting it on the peripheral or the unchangeable." STAGELINES short courses continue under the direction of the O'Donoghues of Beechlawn, Ballinasloe. On January 26th-27th, Firenza Guidi guides students on "Theatre of Desire" at Taney Hall, Dundrum, Co Dublin.
At the Mary Immaculate College, Limerick Andy Hinds "Brings the Scene Alive" in a course for actors and directors on February 1st-2nd. At the Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Tommy McArdle caters for more actors and directors with "Approaching a Text" on February 15th and 16th. Stagelines Gormanston Summer School will take place from August 2nd to 9th, but before that there will be Stagewise courses for 12-15 year olds (June 29th-July 4th) and for 15-17 year olds (July 6th to 11th). Two Stageworks courses, on "Drama for Special Needs" and "Drama for Schools" take place from July 28th to August 1st.
