In pictures: Primary Schools Drama Festival at Ballybofey's Balor Theatre

The Butt Drama Circle hosted two wonderful evenings of drama in the Balor Theatre, Ballybofey recently. Over one hundred school children took to the stage for the annual Primary Schools Drama Festival.  

The theatre was filled each night with proud parents and teachers as the talented children experienced their first moments in the spotlight. Please click on the arrows to go through the gallery

The festival opened on June 12 with St. Mary’s N.S., Stranorlar’s production of Oliver. This musical play was performed beautifully by children from Fifth Class and was expertly directed by their teacher Luke Cape. 

ABOVE: St. Eunans NS Raphoe who performed Charlie & The Chocolate Factory at The Butt Drama Circle hosted Balor Primary Schools Festival on Thursday last. Photos Clive Wasson

With excellent costuming and characterisation this production delighted the audience. Third Class from Lurgybrack N.S, Letterkenny then took the stage by storm with Beauty the Beast.

Filled with fun and comedy, while delivering an important message, this presentation was particularly impressive as the class performed an original script written by their teacher Brí Carr.

St. Eunan’s N.S., Raphoe, opened the evening on June 13 with their production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In a lively and colourful production filled with song and dance, the Second and Third Class children gave wonderful performances under the direction of their teacher Deirdre Daly. Castletown N.S., St. Johnston then presented a beautiful dramatisation of World War II. 

Teacher Liesel Toner and her Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Class entertained with poignant scenes and stellar performances. The festival came to a close with a production of Alice in Wonderland by Ray N.S., Manorcunningham. 

Directed by Tracy Doran, this Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Class brought new life to the classic tale with fabulous performances, inventive costumes and a myriad of handmade props.

Maura Logue was adjudicator of the festival and gave insightful commentary and feedback to the schools at the end of each evening.  

Every child was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for their performance and each school received a commemorative plaque.  

Run annually by the Butt Drama Circle, this event provides a unique opportunity for young children to have the experience of performing in a real theatre in front of a live audience. 

The adjudicator paid tribute to everyone involved- festival director Teresa Mc Nulty, the Butt Drama Circle, the Balor Theatre as well as the parents, teachers and schools who make such a memorable experience possible for the children.