The Enniskillen Drama Festival returns next month, where for eight nights – starting on March 3 – local audiences will be treated to a range of great plays, performed by eight top groups participating on the festival circuit.

One of the 35 preliminary festivals held over the island of Ireland in a seven-week feast of drama, amateur theatre companies compete for nominations to a range of finals, hoping to scoop the accolade of All-Ireland Play of the Year.

Dave Rees, Director of Enniskillen Drama Festival, said: "We have classics such as 'The Importance of Being Earnest', and Arthur Miller’s 'The Price', and a play version of Nigel Slater’s 'Toast', which looks to be delicious in more ways than one!

"Ballyshannon Drama Society return with 'A Delicate Balance', following last year’s stunning 'All My Sons'. Newtownstewart, another All-Ireland finalist of 2022, are back with a contemporary play, 'Midden'.

"We are especially pleased to see Pomeroy on our opening night with the fantastic 'Hen Night Epiphany', a moving, funny and profound play, as they had to postpone last year.

"Our champions from 2022, Butt Drama Circle, return with another play by Shaun Byrne, 'Darkness Echoing', which is sure to be another incredible piece.

"The festival finishes with the hilarious, 'One Man Two Governors', from Bart Players."

The adjudicator for this year's festival is Declan Drohan, who currently lectures on the BA Hons. programme in Performing Arts at Atlantic Technological University Sligo, and the multidisciplinary MA in Creative Practice.

He has extensive experience of more than 30 years in performing, teaching and directing. He also adjudicated three festivals last year.

Face added: "Our drama festival would not be possible without the financial support of our nightly sponsors, some of whom have sponsored us for the whole 42 years.

"[These include] Modern Tyres, Crudden and Dolan, the Credit Union, the Killyhevlin Hotel, Lochside Garages, Experience Enniskillen and O’Doherty’s Butchers and, of course, the vital support from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, in particular Bryony May and also the Department for Communities.

"The festival would also like to thank the generous local businesses who advertise with us. Their support is greatly appreciated and valued."

Tickets for the festival are currently on sale at the Ardhowen Theatre box office.

In addition to the usual season ticket for the full nine nights, the organisers are once again offering a very attractive package of a four-night ticket at a reduced rate. This ticket is available only at the Ardhowen Theatre.