Prominent former members of the Drama League of Ireland and the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland have established a new company that will tour plays in the west and mid-west. Their first venture is Brian Friel's Faith Healer.
The new company is called The Link Theatre Company, and its director and designer is Ray Leonard, former national executive member of ADCI and director of Claremorris Drama Festival.
Noel Lyons, who is administrator and stage manager, has been national vice-chairman of the DLI and chairman of its Mayo-Galway region.
Frank Herraghty, who has an honours diploma in theatre studies from St Patrick's University, Maynooth is lighting designer. Tom Latchford, who plays Teddy in Faith Healer, is also a former DLI national executive committee member. He has adjudicated at Galway's Foroige Drama Festival and has acted in Wales and in Ireland.
Frankie Ralph, another Maynooth Honours Diploma holder, and a founder member of Whitethorn Theatre Company, plays Grace. She conducts drama workshops for schools and adults and has performed in a number of productions. Eamon Smith plays Ralph. He was a founder member of Bar Theatre Company and is chairman of the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar. Link Theatre Company's patron is Eamonn O'Donoghue, director of Gormanston Summer School. With his wife, Frieda, he runs Stage Wise and Stage Works, providing residential theatre training for young people and teachers. He also conducts a course for people with special needs. He has been associated with Ballinasloe's Relays Productions and was a founder-member of NAYD. He is currently directing Hugh Leonard's Da for Birr Stage Guild.
Bog Lane Theatre, Ballymahon, is about to celebrate its tenth anniversary. It was a pioneer among voluntary companies in building its own premises. Many have followed, leading to a network of theatres available to both professionals and non-professionals. Bog Lane has presented works by leading playwrights, and the venue has been used by professional companies and acts too. Tom Hickey's Mysogonist, Co-Motion's Frank Pig Says Hello, Jon Kenny and Pat Shortt, Eleanor Shanley and Charlie McGettigan come to mind.
The company's anniversary play will be Donagh McDonagh's Happy as Larry, directed by Ruairi Stafford. Its One-Act Drama Festival will take place from November 6th-8th and the anniversary programme includes a musical revue, a primary-school drama festival and a stand-up comedy evening.
A disused church is being transformed into a modern theatre and arts centre in Moate, Co Westmeath. Opening night is expected to be in November. Down the road, Mullingar's Integrated Arts Centre will be opened on October 20th. It is expected the ceremony will be performed by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Sile de Valera, and that former Minister Michael D. Higgins will also attend.
Prosperous Theatre, in Co Kildare, suffered a break-in recently. Their lighting and sound equipment was taken but they had new equipment installed quickly in time to open their autumn season last week.
