Author and director Gerry Stembridge joined members of Backstage Theatre Group for the launch of their hosting of the All Ireland One Acts Festival in December this year.
The finals are returning to Backstage Theatre, 11 years after it last hosted the national event, and plans are well under way to making it the outstanding success it was back in 1998.
Festival Director Ollie Kenny, speaking at the launch, said it was a great honour for Backstage Theatre Group to host the finals.
“I’d like to thank the joint committee of the Drama League of Ireland and the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland for giving us this prestigious festival for Longford. It’s a great honour to have it here.
“I feel it’s going to add immensely to the culture and to the economic situation in Longford over that weekend. It’s one of the flagship events of amateur drama in Ireland and it’s really great to have it here,” said Mr Kenny.
The festival will have a central theme of ‘E Pluribus Unum’, which means ‘from many one’, which centres on the idea that from the many festivals around the country, and from the many finalists there is one winner in each of the open and confined sections.
The theme, designed by Noel Strange, provided the backdrop to the launch in the Atrium Gallery; it’s also central to the festival website at: www.oneactslongford.com which was created by Ballymahon native Finian Reilly.
The website, as well as providing information for the finals, will also provide information from each of the 21 qualifying festivals.
Launching the event was author, actor and director, Gerry Stembridge, who is well-known for his role in the satirical radio show, ‘Scrap Saturday’. “My Latin is somewhat shaky, and when I came in first, I thought it was John O’Donoghue’s personal motto – lots for one,” he said in his opening remarks.
Moving away from the political gags, Stembridge spoke about the important role that drama plays in Ireland and in Longford. “The arts is what brings out the best in us. Not just in terms of what we see on stage. For a start it brings entertainment, and unlike in the political sphere, where there is lots of entertainment, in theatre it tends to be intended entertainment.
“It’s also the education and the broadening of our experience and the work that’s done on the ground, and community feeling, the sense in that we’re all in this together and we’re going to enjoy ourselves.
“There’s nothing more remarkable about how for years and years the amateur drama movement in this country has continued to flourish, no matter what the economic situation, because people love it and people are entertained by it, and the people involved in it find immense personal benefit from it.”
Two of Longford’s mayors also attended the launch. Cllr Brendan Gilmore, Town Mayor said: “It’s a fantastic achievement for Longford town and all the hard-working committee. It will put Longford on the map for all the good reasons.”
Co Mayor, Cllr Peggy Nolan, said the launch was a special occasion for Longford and Backstage. She paid tribute to the committee who worked hard to secure the event.
“The phase ‘E Pluribus Unum’ I believe was used by Barack Obama. I wasn’t aware that he used it, but the one stuck with me was ‘yes we can’ and can I say that thank God you (Backstage) did, and we will all benefit from it.”
Ahead of the finals, from December 4 to 6, a total of 21 venues across the country will host the qualifying festivals, out of which the 12 finalists will be decided. locally, festivals will take place in Ballymahon, Carrigallen and Cavan. Full details on
www.oneactslongford.comCheck out
www.longfordleader.ie for video interview with Festival Director Ollie Kenny.
