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49th West Cork Drama Festival line-up announced in Rossmore
Nora Scannell (centre), PRO of the West Cork Drama Festival, pictured at the launch of the 49th annual event in Rossmore with sponsors Carol Barrett and Colette Twomey.
THE 49th West Cork Drama Festival was launched in St. Mary’s Theatre, Rossmore, last Friday night and will take place there from March 12 to 21, with Mr Scott Marshall as the adjudicator.
Mary Deasy, festival chairperson, welcomed the guests and said that, “as we have reached our 49th year, we must be doing something right, as the festival is going from strength to strength every year.” She thanked all those involved in ensuring the continued success of the festival which brings the tiny village of Rossmore to life and transforms into the cultural capital of West Cork.
The committee noticed a huge increase in the number of groups wanting to participate in the West Cork Drama Festival. The cream of the crop will be treading the boards in Rossmore over the ten nights of the festival, from Friday, March 12 to Sunday 21st, inclusive.
Michael O’Mahony, sponsorship officer for the festival, pointed out that it would not be the recognised festival that it is today without the generous support of the local business community. There have been many great festivals over the years, with ups and downs, booms and bursts, but through it all, Michael was glad to point out, “many of the sponsors have been with us for many decades.
“We are delighted with the relationship that we have built up over the years, and hope,” he quipped, “that they have no plans for divorce any time soon.” Festival PRO Nora Scannell thanked the media and outlined the festival line-up (see advert elsewhere in this issue). Speaking of this year’s adjudicator, Mr Scott Marshall, she described him as “an adjudicator of great distinction,” having adjudicated the All-Ireland finals in Athlone on a few occasions.
She thanked Rossmore’s faithful and discerning audiences, “who have gone on this long journey with us over the years.” Nora stated that the festival is the success it is because everyone is working together to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
“What better way to escape from depressions and recessions and all other forms of bad news than to spend a relaxed and enjoyable night at the festival,” she suggested. Nora also spoke about the sense of community that has enabled this festival to survive so long and outlive many other counter-attractions
The West Cork Drama Festival booking office will open on Monday next, 8th. Advance booking is essential at 023-8838526.