Standards at the Athlone All-Ireland Drama Festival this year have been the subject of considerable comment. Any one of four, perhaps five, productions might have won, but watchers of Corn Mill Theatre, Carrigallen over the past few years were not surprised at their success. Castleblaney Players' success at Dundalk further stresses the improvement in standards, a fact not overlooked by Phelim Donlon in his opening speech. Last year, Castleblaney were anything but impressive; this year they made a considerable impact in Athlone and won Dundalk Drama International.

All this reflects dedication, enthusiasm and professionalism, but also the education in theatre being conducted throughout the country. The situation could improve further with a sensible removal of clashes introduced by the two main annual summer schools. Gormanston, whose programme already has appeared in this column, adheres to its August 1st-8th spot. The DLI has changed its Maynooth Summer School to August 15th-22nd.

There, the technical aspects of stage production will be discussed in Bil Keating's Theatre - More than a Hobby, More than a Job. In First Steps, Michael Vernon will conduct a course for inexperienced directors and actors, while those more advanced may opt for Paul Hadfield's Great Directors/ Great Acting. Comparatively new one-act texts will be explored in Scott Marshall's Small is Beautiful, while improvisation, innovation and audience participation form the basis of Playback Theatre Workshop's presentation by David Powley and Diane Adderley. In association with the National Association of Youth Drama, Brian Brady presents My Line - Your Line. Anne Mekitarian and Audrey Behan will conduct courses for assorted teacher categories under the titles Exploring Possibilities and Little Theatre. Jo O'Donovan is Summer School Director and a booking form may be had from the Drama League of Ireland, P.O. Box No. 3094, Dublin 8. But hurry!