Our latest in house play for the festive period is    'CHRISTMAS LIGHTS' 

Written by our smash hit team of writers Tim Hanna ,Byddi Lee and Malachi Kelly this dynamic trio

have once again raised the bar and produced a new take on panto season (adult style)! 

You all remember the 'What's my Scam'2018 sketches; the 'Impact' play, 2019-23'; Our three zoom plays during Covid

(Zoomeo &Juliet- Social Bubble Toil and Trouble and Six Angry Women all still on youtube)20'-22' 

And now in 2024 the trio have come together once again, at great personal cost to each, to delight and 

entertain the wonderful people of Armagh in this soon to be Season of Goodwill. 

Enthusiastic actors flocked to Abbey Lane for this historic reading and boy did they have a laugh! 

As you can see below the camera never lies. They can hardly keep their faces straight while reading - but they did. 

Tickets out soon for this side splitting pantotype fictional look at Armagh.

Full of do-goody fairytale characters fighting a complete lack of festive good cheer from our miserable city burghers.

Jamacian Dub poetry from poet/artist Raquel McKee and smooth blues sounds from Armagh's Garage Band

started and finished our Open Mic in Abbey Lane last Friday night. 

Also great contributions from Theo Sinton, singer/ musician; Jay Rafferty poet;  Joseph Conlon stories;

Mark Brownlee, author and poet; Rachel Toner, excerpt from short story;   and Malachi, 'It's all going to shite' 

With our highly anticipated raffle prior to a session from The Garage Band the quality of entertainment on the 

night was unsurpassed... and all for £5!!! 

Absent on the night and sorely missed by all was Dymphna and gang. Dymphna is layed up in hospital presently

and is aggrieved to have missed the craic as are we missing Dymphna's. She hopes to be out soon but meantime 

is entertaining the ward patient's and staff and assures me she is gathering new material for September's OMN.

Sending all our best wishes to Dymphna and all those regular Open Mic-ers presently unable to attend. 

                                                                   ******

Work continues on the extension and fingers crossed will be open for our next Open Mic September 27th when we

will host the WINNER'S FINAL of our poetry competition 30-3-100.

Judged by renowned poet David Braziel and open to previous winners of our monthly competition the deadline

closes on 15 Sept for entries. 

                                                                 *******

Flash Fiction Armagh continues as part of the Armagh Cider Festival in Crannagael House this Thurs 5th..another sell out !

The latest play from our in house writers Hanna,Kelly & Lee  'Christmas Lights' has it's final reading before casting

tomorrow night under the expert direction of the fabulous Margery Quinn .

Starting at 7.30 in Abbey Lane Theatre Armagh if you are interested in putting your name in the hat please come along

for the reading and a warm welcome awaits.

'Christmas Lights' is a fairytale of a romp for over 16's to be staged 5,6th and 7th Dec 2024 in Abbey Lane Theatre.

Our final Poetry Competition for previous monthly winners proved to be a difficult task for our judge David Braziel to decide on.

Everyone who entered raised the bar significantly resulting in a very close run race with Glenn Wilson's 'Damselfly' getting

Highly Commended; Michael Kennedy's 'The Rag Bag' second; and by a short head Jordan Rafferty's 'Benny' our winner of

the £100 prize. 

Other finalists where Ellen McKenna 'Fragments'; Mary Jbara 'The Unanswered Question'; Liam McIlvanna 'What if'

Dymphna Ferran 'Rhapsody in Blue'; Jenny Murray Unanswered Question' Lily Rose Conway 'Sonder Embrace'. 

Thank you all so much for making this inaugural competition such a success. Hats off to David Braziel  as independent

judge and all who helped in the background to make this a memorable occasion. Poetry needs a platform and found one in 

Abbey Lane @Open Mic Nights. 

Winning poem; 'Benny' by Jordan Rafferty

Couldja give me a hand, Benny? Can't get

the lid off. Gotta get my smiles from a pill

bottle, Benny. Nothing else for it these days.

Doctor says I've got a touch  of the blues but

I ain't talking about all that jazz. Scars ain't

worth the stories that gave you 'em, don't

you know that yourself Benny?

How're you anyhow benny? And the old boy?

And the missus? Gone? All Gone. I'll split

a smile with you Benny, if I can get the damn 

lid off it. Man needs a wife and a father, you know,

Benny? They know where the bottle opener is kept.

Do you hear that Benny? Can't beat Gershwin

on vinyl, not for the world. You don't have 

one on you, do you benny? Anyone'll do.

Can't stand this old one anymore. Too green,

too blue, too full, too lonely. Pick me out some-

-where new, Benny, near a hardware shop. Can

never have too many bottle openers. You know

the score Benny. Some place where they only play

Our house on repeat. Had enough of old Blue eyes

Benny. Think I'd quite like brown now. None? No?

Not to worry. A mug’ve brown will do just as well.

You ever had your tea leaves read Benny?

It's all Hogwash, don't give 'em a penny Benny.

A Washerwoman at the Fair read mine Once.

A dog or a King or both says she to me, Benny.

What d'you make of that eh, Benny? Unclear says she, 

Another fiver might clear her eyes a bit. I left on

a question mark. A question mark, Benny.

Hello All, The Committee wishes to explain a simplification of our membership/subscriptions policy.

We are very grateful to everyone who has contributed over the years, be it monthly or annually and be it large amounts or small amounts, but we think it is fairer and much simpler in future for everyone to pay annually, at the same time and by the same methods. We have decided that we are going to start from scratch commencing 1st September 2024.

The annual subscription to remain/become a member of Armagh Theatre Group will continue at £30 pa minimum (there is no problem if you wish to contribute more, that is your option and is much appreciated) payable on the 1st September each year.

Payment can be made either by:-  Bank Transfer: A/c Name: Armagh Theatre Co Ltd. Sort Code 90-20-47. A/c No. 40166793. Make sure you give your name in the reference. Or by cheque: made out to Armagh Theatre Co Ltd and sent (or handed to) Tim Hanna, The Treasurer, Armagh Theatre Group, 1 Tower Hill Close, Armagh BT61 9HY

Members who have already paid in 2024 i.e. since 1st January 2024 will have their subscription rolled over and will not be due to pay again until 1st September 2025.

All paid up members will be entitled to vote at AGM and to become members of the Committee if so elected.

The annual subscription is vital to offset a proportion of the cost of our annual overheads, namely insurance, heating oil, electric, entertainment licence, website, auditing fees and general upkeep of our building. If you currently pay by direct debit or standing order you will need to cancel these arrangements as in future annual payment will be by either Bank Transfer or by cheque as outlined above.  

OR YOU MAY DONATE TO Armagh Theatre Group any time by;

The ATG Paypal Giving Fund donation link is
https://www.paypal.com/GB/fundraiser/charity/3998501

We are screening the All Ireland Final  on the big screen in Abbey Lane  for all our members and friends who wish to see it.

Starting 2.30pm doors open with live coverage from 3pm. 

Free viewing-  Bring your own tipple- Nibbles-   guess the half time and end of match scores £2 line.

Wear your colours and cheer on your county for this historic match.

LIMITED SEATING 

Just to remind our regular audiences, Fridays Open Mic  has the later start of 9pm

This is to accommodate the John Hewitt bursuary students. Doors open after 8pm.

Sp guest , poet Gaynor Kane- Super raffle on the night - £5 in and BYOB Limited seating!