Mayo show to celebrate Woman and Scarecrow's festival circuit sweep of awards
SAINT Patrick’s Drama Group has announced a one-night-only performance of Marina Carr’s Woman and Scarecrow in Westport Town Hall on April 2.
This special event celebrates the group’s extraordinary run on the 2025 drama festival circuit, which has seen them qualify for the prestigious All-Ireland Drama Finals in Claremorris in late April and early May.
The production has been met with resounding acclaim from audiences and adjudicators alike, praised for its emotional power, striking visuals, and bold, poetic interpretation of Marina Carr’s haunting script.
In a remarkable achievement, the group took home numerous awards:
Overall Best Production at Roscommon, Newtownstewart, Kiltyclogher, Charleville, Tubbercurry, and Ballyshannon festivals;
Best Actress awards at eight festivals - shared between Martina Ryan (as the Woman) and Alanna Ní Mhíocháin (as the Scarecrow);
Best Director awards and nominations for Séamas Cafferky;
Best Supporting Actress recognition for Colette McGinty;
Awards for Sinéad Brogan’s haunting live vocals;
And multiple awards and nominations for Best Set, Best Lighting, and Best Sound.
The dual success of Martina Ryan and Alanna Ní Mhíocháin - each honoured multiple times with the Best Actress award - is a rare and outstanding achievement. Their contrasting yet deeply connected performances lie at the heart of the production’s power: Martina’s raw, visceral portrayal of the Woman’s final reckoning, and Alanna’s eerie, graceful embodiment of the mysterious Scarecrow, have been described as “electrifying”, “mesmerising” and “unforgettable” by festival adjudicators.
Director Séamas Cafferky commented: “This is a play that doesn’t pull its punches - it demands truth, vulnerability and bravery. Martina and Alanna delivered that in spades.
“Watching the two of them together on stage has been an experience audience won’t soon forget. The entire cast and crew have given their hearts to this production, and we’re beyond proud to bring it to the All-Ireland stage.”
With its imaginative direction, evocative choreography, and a powerful central duo, Woman and Scarecrow has become one of the standout productions on this year’s festival circuit.
The Westport Town Hall performance on April 2 offers local audiences a final chance to witness this unforgettable piece before it competes in the national finals.
Tickets are available now from Westport Town Hall box office and are expected to sell fast.
Contact the box office on (098) 28459 or go online at www.westporttheatre.com.