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DLI NEWSLETTER 8 APRIL 2021
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 I am honoured to have been elected Chairperson of the DLI at this year’s AGM, held via Zoom. What an unusual AGM it was! It was great to have such a big attendance and to see so many familiar faces, even if they were confined to a tiny square on our screens. It was a pity that we had to miss the cup of coffee and the chat, but at least things should be improving as the year progresses.
There is still a question mark over DLI Summer School this year. Successive government announcements bring alternating hope and doubt. The 2020 Outreach Summer School proved to be very successful and we plan to have a programme of regional workshops around the country later this year even if Summer School does go ahead in UL. Members of the DLI Board are currently sounding out groups and venues about these workshops, and, if you have any ideas and suggestions please let us know: willie.obrien@gmail.com .
The Board is also working with the ADCI and AIMS to secure funding for a number of drama projects, so, as they say, watch this space for further news.
We are all familiar with the negative aspects of the current pandemic, but there have been a number of positive achievements too. A couple of prime examples are the 2020 DLI/ADCI Playwriting Competition and the recent Clare Radio Drama Festival co-hosted by Scariff Bay Community Radio. Congratulations to Irene Kelleher who won the former with her play A Safe Passage, and to Kilmeen DG who won the overall Alan Sparling Award in the Clare Festival with their play When I Was God by Conal Creedon, directed by Denis O’Sullivan, and to all the award winners.
I would like to thank Joanne Keane for her tireless work as Chairperson over the last two years. Joanne is taking over as our PRO, a position which will benefit greatly from her energy and talent.
Thanks also to Michael Stafford and Christine O’Brien who have retired from the Board. Michael has served as our Festival Liaison Officer for many years and is well known and highly regarded in drama circles throughout the island. Christine was our magazine editor and continues on the Summer School committee where her enthusiasm and fresh ideas are greatly appreciated.
Welcome to our two new board members, Philip Howlin, from Camross DG in Wexford who is moving into Michael’s role and to Edward Hayden, New Ross Drama Workshop, who is taking over the magazine and is our new Assistant PRO.
Finally, as we begin to emerge from under this cloud imposed by Covid, it is important that we support each other, whether fellow group members, neighbouring groups, festival committees or our audiences.
Keep in touch!
Willie O’Brien
DLI Chairman
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Our Patron, President Michael D. Higgins, sent a lovely message to say how aware he is of the significant contribution local theatre groups around the country make to the cultural dimension of our society and he wished us all a fruitful meeting.
We were delighted that Ms Catherine Martin, Minister for Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media, sent a video message to our AGM.
Click here to see the address from the Minister on the Drama League of Ireland YouTube Channel:
https://youtu.be/q7nSYQd_eUE
We also welcomed the attendance of Senator Malcolm Byrne FF, DLI Nominee to the Seanad, and member of the Cultural & Educational Panel.
Senator Byrne said that he was delighted to be invited to address the DLI AGM, and
that he has had a long involvement in amateur drama himself with groups in his own area in the south-east.
He wished the DLI well in its work for amateur drama across the country, and suggested that we are welcome to contact him with any issues or concerns on drama related matters.
Outgoing Chairperson Joanne Keane, and incoming Chairman Willie O'Brien also pictured above.
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WILLIE O'BRIEN (Trim DG): Chairperson
OLLIE KENNY (Backstage TG): Vice Chairperson and Summer School Director
EUGENE O'SULLIVAN (Coachford Players): National Secretary and Company Secretary
KAREN CARLETON (Balally Players): Finance Director
JOANNE KEANE (Balally Players): PRO and Compliance Officer
MARY NEWMAN (Moat Cub): Membership Secretary
JOHN LENNON (Moat Club): Development Officer
EMMA JANE NULTY (Dalkey Players): IT Coordinator
PHILIP HOWLIN (Camross DG): Festival Liaison Officer
EDWARD HAYDEN (New Ross Drama Workshop): Magazine Editor and Assistant PRO
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DLI MEMBERS ZOOMING IN AT AGM!!
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CLARE DRAMA RADIO PLAY FESTIVAL RESULTS
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Congratulations to the award winners, all the 20 participating drama groups and particularly Eoin O’Hagan, PRO Scariff Bay Community Radio and Tom Hanley PRO Clare Drama Festival on the great success of the inaugural Clare Drama Radio Play Festival.
Winner of the Alan Sparling Perpetual Award for Best Play was Kilmeen Drama Group with When I Was God by Cónal Creedon, directed by Denis O' Sullivan.
2nd Place: Sliabh Aughty Drama Group with Manic Monday by Tara Sparling, directed by Eavan Brennan.
3rd Place: Balally Players with Pizzazz by Hugh Leonard, directed by Gerard Bourke.
Best Direction: Denis O’Sullivan with When I Was God by Cónal Creedon.
You can access the Awards Ceremony, podcasts of most of the 20 plays and the adjudications on podcast from Scariff Bay Community Radio.
Opening Ceremony Podcast:
https://www.podbean.com/ei/pb-bzwyw-fc721a
When I Was God: Scariff Bay Radio Podcasts | Play 5 Clare Drama Radio
Play Festival - Kilmeen Drama Group on Podbean!
https://www.podbean.com/ei/pb-78u95-fd0abd
 Adjudication by Paul Brennan (ADA) (Left) |
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CONNECT & CREATE WITH DALKEY PLAYERS
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We are delighted to let you know about a series of eight radio plays that have been made "under the duvet" during lockdown.
We are launching ‘Connect & Create’ - a week-long Festival of Drama running from the 6 to 12 April that includes original writings and published works developed by Dalkey Players during lockdown.
Tickets are available from Eventbrite and by making a small donation (minimum of €1) you can access all eight podcasts of the plays.
Since last Summer, members have been writing and developing this work. Over 25 people were involved, meeting over Zoom twice a week, writing, rehearsing, and directing.
This was a way of connecting and being creative during a time when we couldn’t meet to do drama in the normal way, says Emma Mulligan, Festival Series Producer. This has meant we can continue to do what we love and to share our work in a new way with you all, the community and our patrons who have always supported us so generously.
The plays are an eclectic and exciting mix of storytelling, poetry, and new writing. So, sit back, relax and join us ‘under the duvet’!
Kind regards
Dalkey Players
info@dalkeyplayers.ie
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