Monday 20th
The Dead by James Joyce
(Abridged and adapted by Seán Treanor)
Newpoint Players

Adaption of James Joyce's renowned short story.

There will be no interval in this production.

In the great canon of Irish short stories, there is none more renowned than Joyce's "The Dead". In this adaptation, Newpoint have tried to bring to the fore the changing nature of 1905 Ireland, the growing influence of the Gaelic Revival, the changing social balance, the conflicts between Empire and Nation, the important and unsettling Suffragist/Republican movement and the frustrations and disappointments of apparently minor characters, who are victims of class and of persisting mores and values.

A beautiful song is central to the original story. This stage adaptation extends the use of live music and singing as a means of recreating the generally nostalgic, but sometimes angry or tortured undercurrents experienced by individuals and by the Dublin middle class society of the era. Many of the characters are haunted by ghosts of the past. And now, for us, they and their environs are ghosts of a long-lost time.

The amateur production of "The Dead" is presented by arrangement with Sean Treanor.

Newpoint Players was formed in 1946 and since then has performed a wide range of plays – from Shakespeare to Shaw – from Synge to Behan – from French Farce to Irish Kitchen Comedy. It is a society which has always transcended boundaries of class, creed and nationality. In its early years there was a great concentration on the classics but in latter times Classics, ancient & modern have predominated.

Their recent productions of  “Happy Days”, “Shadow of the Glen” and “Ghetto” last year reached both the AUDF and ADCI Finals.

During the summer months, Newpoint operates a youth group which functions throughout the year and has provided the society with a constant supply of new blood many of whom come back to contribute as adults.

Tuesday 21st
Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling
Bart Players

A heart-warming, poignant comedy-drama.

Truvy’s beauty salon is where everyone goes to have their hair done. The outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoo and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon Ouiser, (“I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for forty years.”), an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, and the local social leader, M’Lynn, whose daughter Shelby is about to marry. Filled with hilarious repartee and several acerbic verbal collisions, the comedy moves toward tragedy when Shelby risks her life in a dangerous pregnancy. Confronted with mortality, the ladies draw together to find strength – and love – in the wake of tragedy.

This amateur production of “Steel Magnolias” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. www.concordtheatricals.co.uk

Contains Adult Themes and/or Strong Language.

Wednesday 22nd
Bouncers by John Godber
Belvoir Players

First performed at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1977, Bouncers has been translated into many languages and has enjoyed world-wide success. The director of this production has acted in four different versions of the play and, with permission, has made a few adjustments to the original script in order to make the play resonate more with today's Festival audiences.

It tells the story of one night at a popular nightclub, told through the eyes of four bouncers We see other points of view too, as the actors give life to around thirty other comic caricatures who, for various reasons, come to the nightclub door.

Contains Adult Themes and/or Strong Language.

Belvoir Players Amateur Dramatic Society was formed in 1968. With several performances per year the reputation and the expertise of the group grew and developed. Summer theatre in Portrush and Enniskillen together with many performances undertaken in remote parts of the Province enhanced this reputation and acknowledged pursuit of excellence.

In 1983 we were invited to perform in the British All-Winners Finals in Newport, Gwent. In 1986 and again in 1994 we had the honour of representing Northern Ireland in the British One-Act Finals, on both occasions in Scotland.

In 2000 Belvoir Players opened their purpose-built Rehearsal Studio on Belvoir Drive.  Since its opening the Studio has hosted numerous performances by both professional and amateur companies. Our 1999 production of Sam Cree’s Widows’ Paradise was invited to appear at the Lake Worth Theatre in Florida, USA in July 2000 making Belvoir Players a truly International Company.

Belvoir Players are delighted to be back on the festival circuit after a long break.

Thursday 23rd
Sylvia by A R Gurney
Slemish Players

Greg and Kate have moved to Manhattan after raising a family. Greg’s career as a financial trader is winding down, while Kate’s, as an English teacher, is offering more opportunities. Greg brings home a dog he finds in the park – or that has found him – “Sylvia”. Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between husband and wife. She offers Greg an escape from the frustrations of his job and middle age. To Kate, Sylvia becomes a rival for affection and Sylvia thinks Kate doesn’t understand the relationship between man and dog.

This amateur production of "Sylvia" is presented by arrangement with Broadway Licensing.

Contains Some Strong Language.

Slemish Players are a Ballymena based drama group. We have no permanent 'home', rehearsing in barns or payIng to use a commumity conference room. We have enjoyed successes in the drama curcuit in previous years. Our most recent being last year when we finished 3rd in the AUDF finals with The Night Alive by Conor McPherson. Liam Neeson, who started his illustrious career with Slemish Players very kindly publicly endorsed our production.

Friday 24th
Deathtrap by Ira Levin
Holwood Players

The plot has "more twists than a bent corkscrew" (The Guardian).

In this dark comedic thriller, washed-up playwright Sidney Bruhl is broke and suffering a severe case of writer’s block. When Clifford, a student from a writing seminar, shows him a brilliant script, Sidney sees a Broadway hit and path to redemption. But credit means everything - and if Clifford refuses to share it, how far will Sidney go to reclaim success?

The genre-defining works of playwright and novelist Ira Levin (1929-2007) include such landmark titles as Rosemary's Baby, The Stepford Wives, The Boys from Brazil and Deathtrap — the longest-running thriller in Broadway history. With unparalleled versatility that finds him at home in nearly every genre — horror (Rosemary’s Baby), crime (Edgar-winning A Kiss Before Dying), science fiction (This Perfect Day), comedy (No Time for Sergeants), even a Broadway musical (Drat! The Cat!) — Levin's enduring works continue to speak to contemporary readers and audiences, serving as iconic cultural and creative touchstones. Levin’s official website is www.IraLevin.org.

This amateur production of "Deathtrap" is presented by arrangement with Creative Artists Agency, New York.

This production contains scenes of violence, use of weapons, and a loud gunshot sound.
It is not suitable for children under the age of 12. Parental discretion is advised.

Holywood Players is a well-known and successful drama group based in Co. Down with a long tradition of producing one act and full length plays on the Festival circuit.

Saturday 25th
Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley
Enniskillen Theatre Company

Explores themes of uncertainty, morality, and the complexities of human relationships in a school.

"Doubt: A Parable" is set in a Catholic school in the Bronx in 1964. The story centres on Sister Aloysius Beauvier, a strict and conservative nun, who is the school’s Principal, and Father Flynn, a priest who advocates a more progressive approach to education and faith. When Sister James, a young teacher, expresses concern that Father Flynn may have developed an inappropriate relationship with Donald Muller, a black student, Sister Aloysius is convinced of his guilt – though she lacks proof.

This amateur production of "Doubt: A Parable" is presented by arrangement with Creative Artists Agency, New York.

Reference to Child Sex Abuse.

Enniskillen Theatre Company is a relatively young group established in 2019. The intention of the group was to take part in Drama Festivals at the Confined entry level. A committee was established, a play selected, and in 2020, Enniskillen Theatre Company entered the festival for the first time. After an encouraging start, Enniskillen Theatre Company's first play had to be shelved due to the pandemic. . Two years later, theatres reopened, and casts began treading the boards again. Enniskillen Theatre Company returned to the circuit, with a successful run of The Night Alive by Conor McPherson. The company were delighted to reach the All-Ireland Finals at Ballyshannon. In 2024 the group brought The Lonesome West by Martin McDonagh to the festival, and once again reached the All-Ireland Drama Finals in the Confined Section at Mountmellick. The company are excited to bring John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt: A Parable to the stage for the 2026 Drama Festival. This award winning play received both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play in 2005.