Lucan Drama star hails magic of the stage as Dundrum Festival returns

“For all the stress, late nights and long journeys, there is nowhere we’d rather be,” smiles Lucan Drama’s Connor Hillman.

Dundrum One Act Festival returns to dlr Mill Theatre, promising three unforgettable evenings of live theatre.

With three different one-act plays performed each night, audiences can enjoy a wonderful variety of comedy, drama, mystery, suspense and darkly compelling storytelling all in one festival.

Nine talented drama groups from Dublin, Wexford, Cork, Belfast and Newry will take to the stage, bringing fresh interpretations, memorable characters and stories guaranteed to entertain, intrigue and surprise.

Whether one loves laugh-out-loud comedy, gripping drama or a good murder mystery, there is something for everyone.

The Dundrum festival is part of Ireland’s vibrant One Act Drama Festival Circuit, hosted by Balally Players with performances adjudicated by Rathfarnham-based Michael McCabe (ADA).

Festival Director Gary Wall and Festival Secretary Karen Carleton and their team are looking forward to welcoming attendees for an entertaining Halloween weekend.

One of the plays being performed is ‘Reunion’ by Lucan Drama, a play about “what could have been”, according to Connor, who has written and directed it.

It tells a story of friendship, choices and second chances. Three old friends reconnect after 15 years apart, but their reunion soon reopens old wounds.

Past actions are picked over, recriminations and accusations abound, and a question emerges: is it ever too late for a second chance?

For most of its cast and crew, this will be their second trip on the DLI one-act festival circuit with Lucan Drama, after a successful outing with ‘Little Dolls’ by Nancy Harris last year.

Connor describes the circuit as a “joyous celebration” of all the things that make live theatre the “greatest art form there is”, as people of all ages and backgrounds from around the country come together to tell their stories.

“Not for glory or riches (there are none), but for the sheer love of it,” he concludes.

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming Lucan Drama and all the participating groups to Dundrum,” beams Joanne Keane of Balally Players.

She goes on to explain that the Irish premiere brings an extra sense of excitement, and they are “delighted” to give audiences the opportunity to discover Connor’s new play.

The Dundrum One-Act Festival performs in the dlr Mill Theatre every evening at 7:30pm between October 29 and 31, with Lucan Drama’s ‘Reunion’ being one of three one-act plays to be performed on October 30.

Tickets for each evening cost €20, with an €18 concession, and a three-day festival ticket for all three evenings costs €45.

Bookings can be made at milltheatre.

For more information on Lucan Drama and other events in this year’s one-act festival circuit in which they will be performing ‘Reunion’, visit lucandrama