AN IRISH theatre production group has won the major UK amateur drama award. The Everyman Theatre Company, based in Sligo, won three awards at the 35th British All Winners Festival in the Isle of Man for a production of Juno and the Paycock.
Judges awarded it prizes for the best overall play and best back-stage crew. The production was also voted best play of the week by the audience.
The festival, organised by the Manx Amateur Drama Federation under the auspices of Britain's National Drama Festivals Association, featured invited groups from the winners of the top 50 amateur drama festivals in the UK in the past year.
The Everyman group was invited after sweeping the boards with 10 awards at another festival on the Isle of Man earlier this year. The All Winners festival awards were presented by actor Derek Jacoby.
The Sligo company's production was directed by Aine Gilmore. Gerry Ryan played the part of Captain Boyle, Denise Burns was Juno and John Taheny played Joxer Daly.