This week sees the restoration of Abbey Lane Theatre's courtyard after an extended wait for the completion of the archaeological report.  Work to fill the trenches got underway last Friday and was finished in time for the August committee meeting to be held (Mon 2nd Aug) in our premises.

Keeping social distance and wearing masks the committee began the task of grant applications to help finance the extension plans and improve accessibility for all in Abbey Lane Theatre. Wish us luck!

Here  Aisling Kelly (trustee) shows her delight with the new courtyard. As Con Fucius (Monaghan philospher) was recorded saying 'the longest journey begins with one small  step then a skip and a jump'

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From all of us in Armagh Theatre Group this BIG THANK YOU for making Six Angry Women very happy. 

Your unfailing support and encouraging comments during and after our performances  makes the efforts all worthwhile.

We will press on with our building plans with vigor....and blocks...and cement...and timber...and a good heating system...

To all the hard working cast, techies, front office and our inspirational director. On the eve of the World premier of Six Angry Women......

https://youtu.be/qXP2SEoDohM   FREE link to 'Social Bubble Toil & Trouble'.

As we prepare for our third zoom play next month 'Six Angry Women' our second zoom production Social Bubble Toil & Trouble goes up on youtube for free viewing on the above link.

Social Bubble Toil & Trouble followed on from the success of Zoomeo & Juliet with both being well received by you, our loyal supporters. It was a daring adventure for the Armagh Theatre Group to go down the road of writing new plays,rehearsing and then performing live through zoom during lockdown year 2020.  A lot has been learnt on how to manage the technology, timing, freezing, lighting, muting and all hanging on an internet signal which can wander off at any time.

But undaunted we now prepare for our third on line, live production and a mixed sense of lunacy and pioneering bravado, which is essential in theatre, prevails. The show must go on.

Our determination is driven by our need to expand Abbey Lane Theatre and bring it into the 21st century. The costs of such are high for this amature group so you can find links on our website where donations can be accepted towards this extension.

We hope you enjoy the free links to Zoomeo & Juliet and Social Bubble Toil &Trouble and they whet your appetites to live view the world premier of Six Angry Women by Malachi Kelly, directed by Margery Quinn.

 MAY 6th, 7th & 8th 2021 Zoom links on our website and social media  pages. Enjoy!

The long awaited archaeological dig commenced on Thursday last and like Christmas

it was over before we knew it. Gold crowns,jewelery,and St Patrick's crozier unsurprisingly were missing but a green beer bottle, probably from Kirkers bottlers ex Dobbin St , was un earthed intact minus its contents. 

We now wait for the Arch report being presented and accepted by ABC planning  hopefully before next Christmas.

Some of those who attended a wonderful celebration dinner dance at the Charlemont Arms Hotel. A night to remember among a year of nights to remember. Hopefully the success of 2016 will continue into 2017 and onwards for the next 50years.

It seems such a long time since January 2020 and the first Open Mic of the year. The great Liz Weir, Antrim's world renowned storyteller and author was our guest and performed to a packed Abbey Lane. Things looked bright with other guests already booked for the coming months. ATG were planning 2 one act plays before Easter and rehearsals organised for our big production of 'Impact' in Market Place Theatre during June. Planning approval came through for the Abbey Lane extension. Just get the archaeological dig sorted and by late autumn we should be in our new theatre. This was going to be a BIG year for ATG.

Wuhan sounded like a character from Shakespeare and the virus in town was the annual winter flu...

March saw our theatre doors close, rehearsals stopped, performance dates cancelled or posponed. Sure a few months should do it, get behind the NHS, wash your hands...

Everyone found social media and zoom in their lives. Novel tools to communicate during this Lockdown. We posted answers to a memoirs questionaire by ATG members, others performed short sketches and some even donned hats and sang in their back garden . An audience of thousands had built up on Facebook so our 'in house writers' decided to script a play via Zoom and generate much needed funds. 

Zoomeo & Juliet, considered the first original, live performance play on Zoom in Ireland at the time, hit screens over the world in July. A success which was followed by Social Bubble Toil & Trouble in November. Present members were indeed keeping up the tradition within ATG to carry on regardless and provide our supporters with some welcomed lighthearted entertainment.

And so we approach Christmas in a year unlike any other in living memory. Hugs and kisses, get togethers, applause and laughter as rare as white crows on a holly tree.

But lets look forward to brighter warmer days, to the rolling out of a vaccine and rolling out the carpet welcoming, with hugs and kisses, our fabulous supporters into a reinvigorated Abbey Lane Theatre. The past is gone, the future tomorrow, so live for today.

The world is in countdown mode.  No I'm not referring to USA elections or Covid restrictions and lockdowns.

But the fast approaching Thurs,19th November 2020 when we go LIVE ON ZOOM with our latest production 'Social Bubble, Toil & Trouble'.  If you havent booked your screen yet DO IT NOW or get..... trumped!

We have very limited screens left for each night's performances so dont delay- book today for a night full of laughter,  intrigue,deceit, romance and robbery from Armagh Theatre Group - creators of the world famous

                                                                        Zoomeo & Juliet

                              FOLLOW THE LINKS BELOW FOR EACH NIGHT'S PERFORMANCE

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DONATIONS via Facebook to ATG ; (Link to follow)

Or

MONTHLY or ANNUAL DONATIONS to ATG via  Bank standing orders to ;

Bank of Ireland

11, Upper English St, Armagh City.

BT617BH

Sort code 90/20/47

A/C number 40166793

Armagh Theatre Group are a cross-community amateur drama organisation with charitable status. Set up in 1966 we have been an intergral part of the Arts development in our ecclesiastical capital since those humble beginnings. 

in 1992 we opened Abbey Lane Theatre in the heart of the city to provide a small but atmospheric theatre experience to our loyal supporters. This development enhanced the demand for live amateur theatre in the area which we have strived to serve with top quality drama up to the present day.

To continue on this journey it is necessary to extend and improve our theatre facilities and to maintain a pleasurable and comfortable venue for all in the 21century.

To that end we have set up several avenues through which you may donate to this building and maintainance fund.

Remember regular donation are enormously valuable to us, especially when we can reclaim the tax through ‘gift aid’ at no cost to the donor.

Armagh Theatre Company Ltd (Northern Ireland Charity Commision) Registration Number: NIC 102426

OFFICAL NAME & ADDRESS;

ARMAGH THEATRE COMPANY LTD.

1, Tower Hill Close, Armagh City, Co Armagh

Email contactt: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LEGACIES to ARMAGH THEATRE COMPANY LTD;

Armagh Theatre Group has survived throughout these hard financial times through community support. Whilst it continues to survive  it does not have the resources to embark on the essential capital investment programmes needed to keep Abbey Lane Theatre  up to date.

Future legacies are one way to bridge the gap.

Leaving a donation to a registered  charity such as Armagh Theatre Company Ltd could serve to reduce the liability of your estate to Inheritance Tax.

The entire donation made will be deducted from your estate before the 40% Inheritance Tax (IT) rate is applied. Your legal advisor will be able to advise on your liabilities to IT.

Remember to provide our correct name, registered charity number and our address when providing your Will instructions.      (see details above).  

WHAT TO DO;

Take expert legal advice when writing up a will.

Remember to include the details of the charity in your will carefully, to avoid any disputes.

This will include our registered charity number and address  as above.

Thank you for thinking of a legacy to Armagh Theatre Company Ltd.