THE 35th annual Enniskillen Drama festival was launched this week in the Ardhowen Theatre where the Festival organisers were joined by their sponsoring organisations.

The nine nights of top class amateur productions will commence on Friday, March 6, with what promises to be a rip-roaring performance of ‘The 39 Steps’ by Letterkenny Music and Drama Group, a play they took all the way to All-Ireland success in 2013 after winning an incredible eight preliminary festivals.

It culminates on Saturday, March 14, with Holywood Players’ presentation of Brian Friel’s ‘A Month in the Country’ a play where love triangles abound.

Variety and a range of styles are the hallmarks of this year’s festival programme which will see five of the nine productions being seen on the Ardhowen stage for the first time.

As usual the Enniskillen Festival has been fortunate to have received entries from some of the foremost amateur drama groups in Ireland several of whom have been successful at the All-Ireland finals stage.

Included in that group is Corn Mill Theatre Group from Carrigallen in Co Leitrim who last May in Athlone walked off with the Blue Riband They are making a return to Enniskillen after a break of a few years.

Also making a return to the festival are Lifford Players, regular award winners in the 1980’s, whilst Glenamaddy Players from Galway will be making their debut in the Confined Section of the nine night festival.

Also making a first appearance at the Enniskillen Festival is adjudicator Geoffrey O’Keeffe. A member of the Association of Drama Adjudicators he is charged with the responsibility of deciding the destination of the many trophies at the end of the festival week, the much sought after nomination to the All-Ireland Open Finals in Athlone in May as well as the Ulster Open Finals in Newtownabbey and the Confined Finals which will be held this year in Kilmuckridge in Co Wexford in mid-April.

Booking for the festival is now open at the Ardhowen Theatre.

Tickets can be purchased for each night.

Festival Director, Brian Farry, said: “Last year I made an appeal to local drama enthusiasts to purchase the season tickets in greater numbers. They are the core audience that provides the festival with the oxygen for live theatre.” He also expressed the organisers’ gratitude for the financial support over the 35 years from Fermanagh District Council as well as the business sector. “Your support for the festival demonstrates that you recognise the contribution it makes to the life of the community.”