Young Mayo playwrights enjoy showcase event

A night of new plays by talented young writers took place in the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar.

The writers participated in an intensive seven-week workshop programme.

Guided by Fighting Words Mayo mentors Paul Soye, Ken Armstrong and Ernestine Duffy, they learnt the art, craft and mechanics of writing for the stage.

Writers Aidan Dunne, Fintan Dunne, Yvonne Heneghan, Melissa Keaveney then entrusted their scripts to Director Cathal Cleary (Druid, the Abbey, Dublin Theatre Festival).

The Linenhall assembled some of Ireland’s most exciting actors: Aoife Fitzpatrick (Dublin Murders BBC), Nichola MacEvilly (Funhome, The Gate) Tiernan Messit-Greene (Druid Theatre) and Cúán Hosty Blaney (Say Nothing FX) for the rehearsed reading of the Mayo writers plays.

Audiences were delighted by the original stories and hung on every word. There were laughs, gasps and thunderous applause.

The staff of the Linenhall Arts Centre extend their thanks to Darina Molloy, Austin Vaughan, Creative Ireland Mayo and The Arts Council Ireland for supporting the initiative.