In Pictures: Drumshee Dry Dance Hall Comedy and Jiving Show comes to Ballintra

There was a packed house in St Brigid's Community Centre, Ballintra for the Drumshee Dry Dance Hall Comedy and Jiving Show. Click on the arrows to see Siobhan McGowan's photos from the evening. 

Written and produced by Maura Logue aka Nora Gallagher, the event took place on Friday evening as part of the Donegal Bay and Bluestacks Festival.

Nora Gallagher (Maura Logue ) brought us back in time to 1959 to Drumshee. All her Drumshee characters came to life in a community arts show that had 25 actors involved. The show was anchored by some professional actors and supported by local community actors, some who took to the stage for the very first time last Friday night.

Music and '50s atmosphere was provided by well known Brian O Sullivan Barnesmore. Geraldine McGrath added the colour of 1950s costuming from Dark daughter’s Costume Collection. Aoibhinn Clancy (Coy Vintage) and Caoimhe Davidson (ATU design) were costume care team. Gabi Cortez visiting from Venezuela was production assistant.

Staging and production needs were by Treehouse Live’s Patrick O Kane, assisted by Cian Logue Corker. Michael Bonnerof Oath Creative Digital was stage manager.

Maura Logue wishes to acknowledge her appreciation for the support offered by the Ballintra Community Centre Committee, Ruth Ann Fenton, Maeve Fenton on the door and Bernie Boyle on prop and hospitality, always helpful and supportive of Dark Daughter Productions.

The night ended with great food and fun at The Bay Bush Bar, Ballintra.

Among those participating were three three generations of The Corrigan /Dinsmore Clan who had been invited by Maura to take part.

Maura said: “From grandmother Maisie to Mother Sonia and her four daughters, Amber , Grace, Nikita and Zara. Maisie, Sonia and Maggie ODonnell from Ballybofey were formidable as the Supper Ladies, who had enough of complaints about 'weak tae!'

“Local Ballintra postmaster Seamus McHugh had the audience in stitches with his hilarious character Jimmy Rua the Red - he who says little but blushes a wile lot - played alongside sister Maire Rua performed with comic delight by Ann Shannon.

“The Merry Widows were there, watching all, with critical eye, played with great comic timing, by Dark Daughter actors Emer Mc Shea and Mary Hoey.

“Noel Hoey, appeared as the dapper Dinny Dan from Strabane, poaching women from Drumshee. He met his match when he encountered Cindy and Noelle, played by the delightful and stylish Cliffony Players actors, Freya Lomax and Lorna McMahon.

“Fr Maloney saw Sean Mc Loone, Donegal Town, don the pious collar and keep morality and social distancing dancing, on the agenda at Drumshee Dry Dance Hall. He had to chase courting couples back into the hall eg Irish sean nós dancer and returnee character, Pat McClean, played with professional ease by performer, Alan O Donnell of Ballybofey, alongside the lovely and patient Zara Dinsmore, as wallflower Hannah Brogan.

“The Dolly birds must get a mention. Grace Nikita Amber with actress Fiona Maria Fitzpatrick made us laugh and smile. When Harry Breen played with drunken sway by Declan McGee of Gweedore made his entrance, the audience loved it.”

Maura wishes to acknowledge the support of Donegal County Council Arts Office.