Drama Circle In All-Ireland Finals

By winning the premier award at Claremorris Drama Festival within days of sweeping the honours at Tubbercurry, Sligo Drama Circle have now qualified for the All-Ireland finals to be held in Athlone in April. The best actress award at Claremorris was won by Deirdre Gallagher for her role as “Big Mamma” in the Drama Circle’s production of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”. Maria Mc Dermottroe was runner-up as Best Actress, while Tony Wehrly was runner-up as Best Actor. The Best Presentation award went to Liam Mc Kinney, the producer.

Speaking at the conclusion of the festival, the adjudicator, Mr. Sam Mc Crealy, said the sheer professionalism of the Sligo group was evident in all departments of the play, and the producer had presented his audience with actors from whom he got greater than their best. Commenting on Deirdre Gallagher’s performance, he said she displayed a magnificent range of emotions and depth and matched the scale of Williams’ writing to a nice point.

from The Sligo Champion, March 21st, 1975