Drama history has Kilcullen interest

A recently published book about the history of drama in Kildare town and the Kildare Drama festivals from 1958-2008 has much to interest Kilcullen people.

Kilcullen Drama Group competed in the Festival a number of times over the years, and won it in 1970 and 1982.

Researched, edited and published by Joe Connolly of Newbridge, 'Pure Drama from behind the Spotlight' includes photographs, adjudicator reports, newspaper clippings and stories about many of the groups and productions, as well as the 'apres-show' events.

A significant number of the items relate to Kilcullen Drama Group, and leading figures from the Group's participation over the half-century of the Festival are pictured.

The book has 288 pages and over 1,300 photographs and cuttings.

Six participants, one from each decade, give a short memory of their involvement in drama at that time. They are Ray Darling, actor 1950s; Barry Cassin, adjudicator 1960s; Stan Hickey, backstage 1970s; Kevin McCaffery, producer 1980s; Fr Adrian Carbery, festival president 1990s; and Conor O’Connell, actor 2000s.

Many well known actors and producers from stage and screen have 'trod the boards' at the Kildare Festival. They include Tom Hickey, Gabriel Byrne, Joan Brosnan Walsh, Myles Dungan, Pat Moylan, Pat Kinnevane, Simon Delaney, and Moya Doherty who wrote the foreword for the book.

'Pure Drama' can be bought from the online shop at kennybooks.ie. It is also on sale in local bookshops Barker & Jones, Naas; Farrells and Easons, Newbridge; Louis Hennessy Bookshop and the Parish Centre, Kildare; and Prosperous Parish Centre.

(Clicking on the advert on the right will bring you to the Kildare Heritage Centre online bookshop.)