It's been a great run of theatre trips over the last few weeks in a range of theatres with both amateur and professional productions.
At the recent Ulster Drama Festival finals at Ballyearl Theatre we heard the adjudicator's constructive and generous comments which were very insightful into all aspects of what makes a successful production.
The two performances we saw were 'Steel Magnolias' and 'Bouncers'. While both were very different, it was easy to forget these were amateur productions, such was the high standard. It was great to hear that 'Bouncers' took the title of best play during the festival.
At Belfast's Grand Opera House we saw Agatha Christie's 'Death on the Nile', a production touring the UK and Ireland.
During the interval I overheard someone in the row behind us critising the acting and the use of the stage - a would-be drama festival adjudicator perhaps! They seemed to be unjustifiably negative and were also very critical of the captions for the hard of hearing! I felt sorry for how miserable they must be feeling to be so negative of such a spectacular production with superb acting, authentic set and fabulous costumes.
On a smaller stage at The Santuary Theatre we saw 'A Bomber's Moon' and 'The Hop on Hop off Bus'. Both plays are set in Belfast, though very different again. While the stage and cast may have been smaller in these productions, the acting was excellent. Thankfully no one was sitting behind us critising these productions and spoiling our enjoyment as they were a very welcome escape from other dramas going on in my life!
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