Drama Circle Secretary Suggests Little Theatre

The year had been for the group everything he had hoped it would be, said Mr. J.J. Mc Morrow, outgoing Chairman, at the opening of the annual general meeting of the Sligo Drama Circle, held in the Bonne Chere recently. “It has been a most satisfactory term of office for me and has fulfilled every wish I expressed this time last year”, he said. The Hon. secretary, Mr. Liam Mc Kinney, in presenting his report of the year’s activities to the large attendance present, said the record of achievements for the season past was one of which any society might be justly proud. The Drama Circle last year had scored the highest marks in its history at the premier festival in Athlone, where the group only missed All-Ireland honours by the narrowest of margins – one mark. Artistically and otherwise the group had reached a new high, and there was in the society now a healthy atmosphere of confidence and good fellowship which was both rewarding and promising of even greater things for the year to come.

Mr. Mc Kinney, commenting on what he felt the society might strive for in the future said that the acquiring of a Little Theatre and the further development of such a centre was one item which the Circle might seriously consider next year. He further felt that it was now up to the group to give the theatre-going public of Sligo more than one show per annum. “If television is going to be a threat to the live theatre”, he said, “I feel that that threat will be met best by more intimate presentations in a well-equipped and comfortable Little Theatre”. Concluding, he returned thanks to all who had helped the society in any way during the year past. The report was adopted unanimously.

Mr. Joseph Meehan, Treasurer, presented a very detailed finance statement, which showed a good credit balance. It was gratifying to note, he said, that this was the first time the society could look forward to the coming season without undue financial worries. Referring to the balance sheet, he said it was significant to not that the takings from running a show in the town of Sligo alone was not sufficient to meet the cost of presenting adequately a play at festivals. This report was also unanimously adopted.

The election of officers for the 1962-63 season was as follows: Chairman, Mr. Patrick F. Dooney; Vice-Chairman, Comdt. E. Gregan; Hon. Secretary, Mr. Liam Mc Kinney, re-elected; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Joseph Meehan (re-elected). Committee – Mr. Eamon Brasil, Mr. Brian Bohan, Mr. Eddie Fitzpatrick, Mr. Michael O’ Rourke, Mrs. Monica Toher and Mrs. Lottie Bourke.

from The Sligo Champion, July 7th, 1962