Festival

EMERGENCY UPDATE ON RUSH DRAMA FESTIVAL 2018

 

DUE TO UNUSUAL WEATHER CONDITIONS TONIGHTS (THURSDAY) PERFORMANCE OF ÚNA POOKA AND FRIDAY’S PERFORMANCE OF SYLVIA HAVE BEEN POSTPONED. ALTERNATIVE DATES WILL BE ARRANGED AND WE WILL NOTOIFY YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANKS YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND PATIENCE. THE SHOW WILL GO ON …

15 and counting !! Another year, another festival and what a festival we have again for you this year. Another 10 outstanding plays, 8 never before seen in the festival. A mixture of Irish, English and American writers we cover the drama genre spectrum from strong drama to hilarious comedy and everything in between. It promises to be a great festival with some of the finest groups in the country visiting us over the 10 nights

Welcome to our Adjudicator John P Kelly on his first visit to Rush Festival but a visitor many times to Rush Village . We hope he enjoys the experience and his time in our Town

Let the Games begin !

We hope all our patrons enjoy a wonderful 10 nights at the 15th Rush Drama Festival.

Just click on the name of any play in the schedule opposite to see a synopsis.

Adjudicator: John P Kelly

Please Welcome our adjudicator for 2018 Rush Drama Festival, John P Kelly

This year we welcome as our adjudicator John P Kelly, who comes to us from Canada where he has made his home since 2004.   Before leaving Ireland, John had a long career in RTE, beginning as a Radio Drama Producer and rising to the position of Managing Editor of Features and Arts.  He never lost his connection with mainline theatre and has directed all over the country, including most recently at the Gaiety in Dublin and earlier in places as diverse as the Cork Opera House and the Taibhdhearc in Galway.  He trained in direction with the Abbey Theatre more years ago ‘than he cares to mention’ and has adjudicated since 1981, including finals in Ireland (Athone ’91 and 2011), Scotland and Canada.   Is he now the longest practising Irish adjudicator?

On arrival in his new home in Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, John created his own professional theatre company, dedicated – but not exclusively so, to bringing modern Irish drama to the area.   Over the years he has directed close on 40 shows and has won several awards for his work.   On four occasions the critics named him best director of year and in 2016 he was given a special award for consistently high standards over the previous ten years.

There are very few festivals left in Ireland he has not adjudicated and he is delighted to be adding Rush to his list.  He may not have worked here before but the place holds many special memories for him – his grandmother lived in Kenure Park and he still has close relatives here.   And memories of the beach in his young days… aaahhh… what memories!  He finds it so hard to believe he actually walked from the train station to that beach… but he did!   John is a friendly animal and answers to the names of John, Sean, John P and JP.

 

 

 

Programme of Events

Date	Production
Thu Feb 22nd 8.00pm	Curtain Call Productions Some Girls by Neil LaBute
Fri Feb 23rd 8.00pm	Phoenix Players Buried Child by Sam Shepard
Sat Feb 24th 8.00pm	Letterkenny Music and Drama Group Beneath and Irish Sky by Kieran Kelly
Sun Feb 25th 8.00pm	Ballyduff Drama Group Albertine in Five Times by Michel Tremblay
Mon Feb 26th 8.00pm	Ballycogley Players The Night Alive by Conor Mc Pherson
Tue Feb 27th 8.00pm	Cornmill Theatre Group Waiting For Godot by Samuel Beckett
Wed Feb 28th 8.00pm	Holycross Ballycahill Drama Group Bold Girls by Rona Munro
Thu Mar 1st 8.00pm	Sillan Players Una Pooka by Michael Harding
Fri Mar 2nd 8.00pm	Prosperous Drama Group Sylvia by A.R. Gurney
Sat Mar 3rd 8.00pm	Lifford Players Dancing At Lughnasa by Brian Friel

Previous Festivals

Festival 2013 Festival 2012 Festival 2011 Festival 2010 Festival 2009 Festival 2008 Festival 2007 Festival 2006 Festival 2005