Dalkey Players and Jane Eyre to Open Kerry Drama Festival Tonight

The Ivy Leaf Art Centre in a rare moment or two of early March sunshine today as it prepares to host the 29th annual Kerry Drama Festival. ©Photograph: John Reidy  4-3-2016
The Ivy Leaf Art Centre in a rare moment or two of early March sunshine today as it prepares to host the 29th annual Kerry Drama Festival. ©Photograph: John Reidy 4-3-2016

The 2016 Kerry Drama Festival will get under way on this Friday night from 7-30pm. Held under the auspices of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland at the Ivyleaf Art Centre, Castleisland, it will run from tonight up to and including Saturday March 12th. Shows nightly at 8pm. The festival has been held in the Ivyleaf Art Centre since it was revived in 1988.
The event is directed by Jerome Stack who has been giving more of his time this year as retirement is allowing him to. Mayor Bobby O’Connell will officially open the long week with a cúpla focal tonight before the Dalkey Players take to the stage at 8pm with Jane Eyre.
For the history of the building see the plaque in the photograph here. The festival booking number 086 10 54 515

Dalkey Players

Members of the Dalkey Players are thrilled to be back on the full length drama circuit while celebrating their 40th birthday.
Dalkey Players have extensive experience of both the one-act and full length drama circuit. “Reaching the finals in Athlone on many occasions we are very excited to be venturing out again on the full length circuit,” said a spokesperson for the group.
The players are first on stage and have been preparing at the Ivy Leaf Art Centre all afternoon. They will perform Jane Eyre – an adaptation by Polly Teal of the Charlotte Bronte novel.

A little bit of history of the building now known as The Ivy Leaf Art Centre courtesy of local archaeologist, Maggie Prendiville.
A little bit of history of the building now known as The Ivy Leaf Art Centre courtesy of local archaeologist, Maggie Prendiville. To read, please Click on the Image.

Jane Eyre
Essentially a love story between Jane and Mr. Rochester. Themes emerging throughout the play consider what is just and unjust; the role women had to take in Victorian society and how an independent mind was considered unacceptable for normal development.
This is an arresting story; a modern take on a classic novel. Dalkey Players depicts the story through physical theatre, with cast members playing multiple roles.
“This version of Jane Eyre is so fresh and astute that it does what even the most faithful literacy adaptation rarely achieves. It is a faithful, psychologically incisive and sexy take on a classic novel,” according to a review in The Independent.