The Slemish Players taking on Conor McPherson’s The Night Alive
The Slemish Players, an amateur dramatics group from Ballymena, were thrilled to receive eight awards, including the prestigious Committee Cup for Overall Winner, for their performance of Conor McPherson’s The Night Alive at the 84th Ballymoney Drama Festival on Monday, 3rd March.
The local actors earned widespread praise for their “memorable” portrayal on the festival’s opening night, held at Ballymoney Town Hall. The standout performance captivated audiences and adjudicators alike, securing a haul of accolades for the group.
The Slemish Players were honoured with the following awards:
Vin Smyth Memorial Trophy for Best Producer: Josie Corr
Route Cup for Best Actor: Joe O’Neill as Doc
Edmund Gordon Memorial Trophy for Best Moment of Theatre: Joe O’Neill for Doc’s Black Hole Speech
O’Cahan Cup for Décor: Alex Morrow, Wilson Morrow, Cora Devlin, Bronwyn McLaughlin, and Marie Mahany
McLaughlin Cup for Stage Lighting: Mervyn Barkman and Lynda Esler
Wreath Cup for Most Ambitious Choice of Play: Slemish Players – The Night Alive
Sir Robert Lynn Cup for Best Irish Dialect Play: Slemish Players – The Night Alive
In addition, Michael Rose (as Tommy) received a nomination for Best Actor, while Fergus Boyle (as Kenneth) was nominated for Best Supporting Actor.
Fresh from their success, the Slemish Players are now preparing to bring their award-winning production to The Braid Theatre in Ballymena next month.
The Night Alive follows the story of Tommy, a man adrift in life with no clear direction. Scraping by through small-time deals with his friend Doc, Tommy lives rent-free in his Uncle Maurice’s Edwardian Dublin home. A chance encounter with a young woman sparks chaos and a glimmer of hope, weaving a tale rich with loneliness, sharp humour, terror, philosophy, and unexpected kindness.
The play’s beauty lies in the surprising depth of its characters, offering a thought-provoking blend of comedy and suspense that keeps audiences on edge.
Performance Details:
Approximate Run Time: 1 hour 40 minutes (excluding interval)
Suitability: 16+ (contains strong language and adult themes)
Don’t miss the chance to see this multi-award-winning play at The Braid, Ballymena, on Thursday, 10th April, or Friday, 11th April. Secure your tickets now here.