The Palace Players were propelled to the top of the amateur drama scene at the weekend when they were declared winners of the RTE All-Ireland Drama Festival 2015 by adjudicator, Mr Walker Ewart in Athlone on Saturday night.

There were jubilant scenes as the result was announced in The Radisson Blu Hotel and the anticipation leading up to the finale was 'on a knife edge' as explained by the group's director, Liam Howard.

"The buzz after our performance on Thursday night was terrific and the news generally at that point was that it was between ourselves and Bunclody/Kilmyshal ('Stolen Child'). When it was announced that I had won the best director award, things were looking good but then Bunclody/Kilmyshal weren't mentioned - Ballyduff 3rd, Estuary 2nd - those last ten or fifteen seconds while the fanfare was going on were like an eternity. Needless to say, all hell broke loose at our table when we were announced the winners."

SUITCASE

At the start of the awards ceremony, the MC (Karina Buckley of RTE) asked if Mary Flavin was in the room would she please stand up. When a rather hesitant Mary obliged, Karina said she just wanted to check to make sure she wasn't in Walker Ewart's suitcase (Mr Ewart, praising her performance on Thursday night, said if there was room in his suitcase, he was taking her home with him!).

It was only to be expected then that Mary, who played 'Missus', would secure the best supporting actress award. Liam Howard won the best director award while Danny Buckley (Junior), received a nomination in the best supporting actor category, Jim Baylor was nominated in the best stage management category and the group was also nominated for best set.

The RTE trophy was presented to Liam Howard as a euphoric cast and crew joined him on stage.

ADJUDICATOR'S COMMENTS

The adjudicator's comments after the group's performance on Thursday night were extremely positive, praising each of the seven of the cast. Pointing out that this is a deceptively difficult play, Mr Ewart said the director and actors had to navigate the ever-changing rhythms of the language to capture the ebb and flow of the conversations. He referred to the 'astute direction' by Liam Howard, 'taking us from the trivial to the intellectual, and from laugh-out-loud moments all the way down to silence'. He said the director found every nuance in relationship, whether overt or suggested and had a secure understanding of the sadness within all of the characters. He admired how the cast, as an ensemble, worked as a kind of 'Greek chorus', chiming in and contributing to the various stories.

The adjudicator said that Brian Hogan (Michael) played his role extremely well as he talked about a past that wasn't there. Anne (Fiona Clifford) had, to some extent, a simple part, but played it very well and held the stage when she was on it.

Tom, played by Brendan Dunlea, was a 'cynic' and a 'controller'. In delivering 'a great vocal and physical performance', he showed anger as he pointed out home truths to the others. Tom also showed anger towards Peggy, revealing what was 'a very sad relationship'. Overall, he said, the role was 'superbly played'.

Junior (Danny Buckley), in his interjections, never missed a beat and his timing was deemed 'extremely good' as he drew the audience into his character.

Liam (Sean Ahern) was described as the 'parvenu' (an up and coming man), who saw himself as a great auctioneer and something of 'a country and western wannabe'. Liam also showed how to get drunk extremely well, enjoyed his power and while he could be nasty, he was brought down to earth by Tom's bitter words.

As for Missus (Mary Flavin), Mr Ewart quipped: "If I have room in my suitcase on Sunday night, I'll be taking her home with me." At that very moment, Missus popped up behind the bar and presented a pint of stout to the adjudicator, a move that brought as much laughter as any moment on stage over the course of the festival.

Mr Ewart singled out Mary's display as an example of 'great physical acting' and was totally in character throughout. Describing her acting as 'simply wonderful', Mr Ewart said it was a performance he’ll never forget.

Peggy (Michelle Hurley) had some lovely production touches and very effectively showed her upset at how she was being treated.

HIGH PRAISE

Commenting on the set, the adjudicator appreciated how it conveyed a sense of the past and faded glory, and also suggested the lives and places beyond the bar room. The door to the pub was singled out for particular praise in the set design.

Mr Ewart said the sound plot wasn't a prominent feature in the play but that the sounds used were 'spot on'. An example of effective lighting was the showing of the headlights of the car when Junior was leaving the pub. It was evident that there was another world outside the parameters of the stage. Overall, Mr Ewart congratulated the backstage team for the work they did.

There were many moments which showed good direction by Liam Howard. Mr Ewart lauded how this production portrayed ever-changing pictures and ever-changing rhythms to the audience.

Summing up, Mr Ewart said the excellent set provided angles and niches for the actors to use. The subtle lighting showed the audience the world beyond the small world on stage. The strong and talented cast acted with sustained conviction and the interjections of the ever sharp Junior were always very well pointed.

The director, he said, found every nuance, overt and suggested, in the relationships between the characters and his secure understanding provided a memorable evening of theatre that drew us into the world of those who have to face a sad reality.

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