Mayo drama group secures All-Ireland final place for first time

There is great excitement in Mayo with the news that Kiltimagh-based drama group Clann Machua has qualified for the All-Ireland Drama Finals to be held in Ballyshannon from April 22 to 30.

Clann Machua won automatic qualification by winning festivals in West Clare, Claregalway and Glenamaddy and also finished runners-up in West Cork, Rathangan, Tubbercurry and Claremorris.

This is the first time the group have qualified reached the national finals, thanks to their impressive production of Sive.

It has captured over 30 awards on the nationwide drama circuit with Finola Mellet, in the role as Mena Glavin, winning four Best Actress awards and Iggy Bownes, playing the part of the Matchmaker Thomasheen Sean Rua, capturing Best Actor awards in West Clare, Claremorris and Claregalway festivals.

Director Seamus Corry has put together a nice blend of youth and experience in a cast which, in addition to Finola and Iggy, includes Ita Malee, Henry Kelly, Fiona Campbell, Lorcan Kitching, Denis Charlton, Gearoid Herraghty and Rebecca Farrington, who plays the part of Sive.

The production has also received many technical awards on the circuit, including four best set awards for Tony Kelly, the set designer, as well as multiple awards for sound and lighting.

Sive is a well known John B. Keane classic and the group, as part of their preparations, visited Listowel and enjoyed a visit to John B Keane’s pub where they met with members of the Keane family.

Clann Machua recently performed in Westport to a packed theatre and also staged the play in their local Townhall Theatre in Kiltimagh.

The draw for the All-Ireland finals will take place on Easter Sunday in Ballyshannon and Clann Machua will then know which night they will perform in advance of the finals.

In the meantime, there are two opportunities for people to see this award winning play.

There's a performance on Thursday next, April 14, in the Linenhall Art Centre in Castlebar, and a final performance in the Townhall Theatre, Kiltimagh, on Thursday, April 21, when it is hoped everyone in Kiltimagh will turn out to send them on their way to finals in Donegal.

Tickets for the Linenhall can be booked online at www.thelinenhall.com or by ringing (094) 9023733. Tickets for the Kiltimagh show can be booked in Langans or by ringing Rebecca at (086) 8466967