It has to be a significant record, that Waterford Dramatic Society has survived and this month celebrates its 75th anniversary with a biggie – and O’Casey classic – The Plough and The Stars with a cast of eighteen performers.
Directed by Anne Mekitarian it will bring back some WDS legends and stalwarts such as Tommy Kavanagh, Jane Leslie and Hugo Donovan along with Geri Oakes as the feisty Bessie burgess and Denise Quinn as Mrs Grogan and the effervescent Jenny Clooney as Rosie Redmond.
What an achievement for a changing band of thespians who down the years provided an excellent service of popular plays and some experimental work as well in their Henrietta Street Little Theatre where I learned the ropes and the nails under the inspirational tutelage of Denis McGrath and Ted O’Regan. Anita Potter and Davy Condon lit a fire in my heart and people like Tony Dooley, Adrian Doyle, Harry Geraghty, Judy Falconer, Frank Coughlan, Pat McEvoy and Billy Hutchinson added much to my theatrical upbringing.
WDS have survived and thrived and can be proud of such a record. Only recently I saw a letter that this Society wrote to the young actress Anna Manahan offering her a part in one of their productions.
You can be assured that when you attend this anniversary production at Garter Lane during the Imagine Festival that you will be part of the longevity of a premier dramatic society that has touched the lives of generations of Waterford theatregoers.
Be a part of that history and have a great night out at a great play from a great dramatic society.
