From The Munster Express Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008

Yvonne Seymour and Sean Aherne
get into the mood in
‘Desire, Desire, Desire’
by Brideview Drama

Many many thanks to all who competed, helped organise, sponsored and came along as audience in the second annual ‘123 Drama Festival’, which ran Saturday and Sunday night’s last week, in the lovely Lismore Courthouse Theatre, Lismore, Co Waterford.

Near full houses both nights saw the cream of Waterford City and County acting talent step into the light and show incredible ranges of performance and ability. With drama groups from all over Waterford doing monologues, duologues or short plays with three or more actors (the 1, 2 and 3 of the 123 Festival!), there was much on offer to entertain.

Adjudicated by the very experienced Michael Twomey of Cork, the shows saw many people brave competition judging for only the first or second time in their acting careers. With just a bare stage and general lighting to work with, each performer very bravely and successfully stepped up to the challenge.

Great fun was had by all. Programmed by the Festival Director, Vanessa Hyde, each night had a glorious mix of comedy and drama - in between the tears was much silliness and farce.

The Festival took place only because of the great support of the sponsors and the cheerfully given help of the host group, Lismore Dramatic Society (many thanks to Una Walsh, Tina Flynn, Joan Bolger, Edward Lynch, Margaret Madden, Padraig Pollard, Julie Landers and John Sullivan for their very hard work).

Pieces performed included works from America, Ireland, the UK and elsewhere.

Lismore Dramatic Society cheerfully used a play by David Fleisher (‘Funeral Arrangements’), who came all the way to the first 123 Festival from Florida last year, and it won much laughter through funny performances by Elaine Bashford and Julie Landers.

Groups performing were Brideview Drama of Tallow, Aisteoirí tSean Phobail of Old Parish, Stagemad, Waterford Dramatic Society, KCK Drama, Cappoquin Drama Group, Ecdysis of Dungarvan, Ballyduff Drama Group; and there were solo performances by Konor Halpin, Dolores Ronayne and Denise Quinn.

The Festival also gave many local authors the chance to put their works on stage. Overall, eight new pieces of writing were performed, often by the writers themselves.

The prizes were awarded at a ceremony hosted by Festival sponsor, Lismore House Hotel. The main festival sponsor is WLRFM (many thanks to Des Whelan and Caroline Dwyer for showing such great support to the county and city!), with others including Waterford County Council, Waterford City Arts, Samuel French Theatre Agency, Dungarvan People Newspaper and Red Kettle Theatre.

Many thanks to Lismore Town Councillor Orla Russell for representing Waterford County Council on short notice!

Michael Twomey awarded a great stretch of prizes, indicating in his many nominations the range and depth of the quality of what the audiences saw both nights. This was the second 123 Festival and, for it to keep growing and being such an effective showcase of Waterford talent, the support of audiences and drama groups is vital. Lismore Dramatic Society has now hosted the festival for two years - in 2009, another Waterford drama group is very welcome to take on the mantle of excellence!

Lastly, Vanessa Hyde as Festival Director would like to thank all behind the scenes in each group who helped out with staging, lighting, sound, props, transport and makeup. Nothing gets performed without a huge array of talent cheerfully donating their time, braincells and hard work. Many thanks and see you next year!