Adapting to the conditions laid down so brutally and cruelly by Covid 19, the 34th Kerry Drama Festival curtailed its 2022 menu to four nights from the usual eight at Ivy leaf Arts Centre, Castleisland.
Tonight, Friday March 11th will see the fourth and final performance of the festival and it’s also adjudication night.
Drama groups from around the country have been unable to meet and rehearse for festivals such as this and that’s the reason for the abridged version of Kerry’s festival this year.
Chapatti and Palace Players Back
The Kerry Drama Festival knows all about curtailments of that kind as it was caught with just one show to complete its 2020 festival when the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland issued an announcement in March 2020 that it was cancelling the remainder of that year’s three act drama circuit around the country.
The victim of the cancelled, Castleisland based festival is Chapatti by Christian O’Reilly. The play will be staged at 8pm tonight in Castleisland by Palace Players after which the final adjudication will be handed down by Co. Tyrone native, Aodh McKay.
A Great Appetite for Entertainment
Kerry Drama Festival Director, Jerome Stack said that all involved in the festival are delighted to be back on stage and on the seats of the Ivy Leaf Art Centre.
“People have a great appetite for entertainment of this kind after all they’ve been through and I know we’ll be sold out again for this show tonight,” said Jerome.
Festival artist, Kevin Barry gave Jerome a bit of a land as preparations for opening night drew to a conclusion last week.
Kevin’s 2022 Collection
Among Kevin’s 2022 collection of exhibits was a portrait of Jerome himself hanging on the wall over the fireplace in the foyer of the theatre.
Admission for tonight’s performance is €10 and the curtain will go up at 8pm.
Just in case there’s a seat left, the booking service for the 2022 Kerry Drama Festival is on: 086 10 54 515.
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