Adjudicator’s Great Praise for Sligo Drama Circle in “My Three Angels”

“I hardly put pen on paper tonight, as I just sat back and enjoyed myself”, said Mr. Norman Rodway, adjudicator, at Ballyshannon Drama Festival, after the Sligo Drama Circle staged “My Three Angels” on Wednesday night last. Mr. Rodway said he would do no beating about the bush, but would put his cards completely on the table. About five years ago, he said, he acted in this play, and when he was going to see it that night in Ballyshannon he was desperately worried as to how he was going to compare the two productions. When one acted in a play, one thought their way was the only way to do it. After the curtain was up for about ten or fifteen minutes he forgot he had ever seen the play, and he thought it in every way a splendid show.

Regarding the play, he said it was one of the best pieces of comedy he knew. If any company other than Sligo Drama Circle had done it, he would say it was a venturesome choice, but these players knew they could do it. It is a magnificent setting”, said Mr. Rodway. He would have forgiven them if it had been cluttered because of the main exits and the set still did not look as if it was all doors. “It was really wonderful”, he said, adding, “I would not mind to have Eric Gregan (settings) working for me”. He thought it would have been an advantage, however, if the play had been done in period costume, though this was a small detail. Referring to Joe Lally’s lighting, he said at times it was not well distributed though it was, in general, very good

The producer, Lionel Gallagher, obviously knew his job. The production had that great thing it should have – unobtrusiveness, and one did not know it was there. It had grouping, movement, rhythm and tempo. Emilie Dulay (played by Lottie Bourke) and Felix Dulay (Walter Mc Donagh) were both very well cast. He felt Felix was a little uncertain in his lines, but he did the character beautifully. He also could have a little more attack at the beginning of the play. Madame Parole (Geraldine Boyle) was also excellent. Gaston Lemare (Ann Bourke) looked beautiful, and was also excellent. Gaston Lemare (Joe Mc Morrow) finally convinced him that perhaps this group was right in not having costume. He was completely convincing as a bad man they should accept. He carried his part splendidly. Paul Cassagon (Vivian Francis) had a difficult part but did it well, though he could be a little more smartly dressed.

A special word of praise went to Sub-Lieut. Espoir (Jimmy Gilmartin) who had little to do but had a very important part. He looked and sounded absolutely right. “Alfred (Brian Bohan), Jules (Eddie Fitzpatrick) and Joseph (Paddy Dooney) are, obviously, experienced, and had a commanding presence on the stage. I admired them particularly because they did not try to outdo one another. They played as a team and worked beautifully together all the time. “Alfred was a lovely mover on the stage. Jules gave a beautiful performance and in his scenes with Madame he displayed another side to the character. As Joseph (the part I played) Paddy Dooney was really good”. Sound effects were by Eamonn Brazil.

from The Sligo Champion, March 24th, 1962