It was a miracle that such a mountain of stones moved at all as the crowds that gathered at Abbey Lane last evening  for the ceremony could barely move themselves. 

A feeling of disbelief and doubt was evident as the first bucket of stones strained sinews and forced sweat drips before it had reached its destination 10 meters away.

This task was then repeated for the next 2 hours as a gentle breeze cooled our brows. Even an unexpected shower was welcomed

as shovels scraped and dragged filling the galvanised buckets to the beat of a chain gang melody. 

The mountain of granite chippings sunk to a hill, then a mound, spirits rose and energies were  renewed as the completion of our task neared. 

Then a call from the 'coalface' 10mtrs away, ''we need more stones! It won't be finished tonight''

A cry rang out of the crowd.

''I have piles at home.....( we looked at each other thinking -Don't we all?).....of stones I mean''

A true miracle, our saviour among us and he is offering us FREE stones to complete the ceremony.

And we did and all lived very sore ever after.

Next Open Mic is ,of course on the 28th of April, not as previously posted 24th!

The month of March winner of our 30/3/30 poetry competition is Sandra Mc Donnell-Hill with her poem 'Lost in Change' from topic ;  Changed Times.

Sandra has only recently returned to writing poetry and it is us that benefits from her reborn urge to write.

Sandra (centre) receiving her prize from guest artist Colin Hassard. Highly commended certificates were also given to 

Dymphna Ferran and John Mc Andrew.

Sandra's obvious clarity of thought and feeling are evident here in her winning submission.

We are having a second reading of our Spring season comedy play next week in Abbey Lane Theatre Armagh. 

This call out is to encourage more adult male participants to join with a strong female cast for performances in May.

Armagh Theatre Group have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help encourage you to step on to a stage  for your first time ever, or since school dramas, or to tick off your bucket list.

We will take you from a hesitant nervous wannabee to a confident accomplished actor accepting applause from a full auditorium. 

All we want from you is enthusiasm and commitment and we guarantee laughter all the way.

*EVERYONE is welcome next week especially those males up for the challange.*

If you are interested in joining Armagh Theatre Group this is a great opportunity to come and see who we are and what we are about.

DAY.....Wednesday  15th March 23'    Time.....7.30pm      Place..... Abbey Lane Theatre, Abbey Lane Armagh BT61 7DW

Ain't no mountain high enough...

Hugh thanks to Marian Rafferty ( the famous Rafferty's of Ballymacnab) and friends in there fund raising efforts climbing the Banks of Seagahan Dam...No no no wrong!
The heights of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. A mere 19,341 ft. Well done to you and this HUGH CONGRATULATIONS for achieving your goal. ATG is very grateful for your wonderful donation of £550 towards our funds. Just giving page is closed, thanks to all who supported Marian.

Abbey Lane's raffers echoed with the sounds of laughter, music, rhyme and song as a full house enjoyed the great mix of talent

present at this month's Open Mic.

After the presentation to the prize winners of the first 30/3/30 poetry competition Rachel took over MC duties for the rest of the evening and introduced us to a great selection of artists from Carryduff, Dungannon, Magherlin, Rathfriland, Moira, Richhill, Jerrettspass, Cappagh and Armagh City surrounds.  Our visitors where from as far as Banbridge, Belfast and America.  We must be doing something right!

As promised we had Musicians, poets, singers, storytellers,comedian, spoken word poet and a yarn spinner. We had a raffle!  And all this for £5... We had a Ball.  Thank you to all who managed to get in and who supported the artists with such warmth and encouragement.

The artists were:

Adam Trotter, John Henderson, StevieC, Harry Perrin, Lily Rose Conway, Matthew, Theo Sinton,John McAndrew, Mark Brownlee, Cathy Carson,Bridie Donaghy, Ellen McKenna, Molly, Jay Rafferty and Dymphna .

Thanks to all the ATG members who helped in any way setting up, raffle tickets etc and clearing the space for the Youth Group session on Sat morning. 

We are back again on 31st March with results of our monthly poetry competition and what im sure will be another great night's entertainment at the Open Mic in Abbey Lane Theatre Armagh.        'The Capital of Talent'

Rachel Toner presents Lily Rose , Eugene and Joe  their awards at  Abbey Lane Theatre's inaugural poetry competition which kicked off February's Open Mic.

Lily Rose Conway was delighted to be presented with our cash prize for overall winner.

'Great Oak'. on the topic Nature, was the unanimous winner among the judges and  Lily Rose read out her poem in front of a full house . 

Highly commended certificates were awarded to Eugene Dugan-Brause for his 'Deadlock Deja Vu' on the topic Groundhog Day and Joe McGinley's

'Three in to two' on the topic Loves Triangle. 

We would like to acknowledge all the poets who submitted to the competition and to such a high standard throughout.

'Great Oak'    by LilyRose Conway.

Sharp snaps, halted tracks

Soaring oak, old as ages,

Painfully bent, barraged,

Felled at hands of men.

Groaning surrender,

Sinfully fascinating sight,

This timeless majesty slain,

Joining its neighbours blight.

                  ***

'Deadlock Deja Vu' by Eugene Dugan-Brause

Border on water

Border on land

Border in the government

Dwelling of the damned.

You who share power,

show us the way.

Probably not. Likely not.

Not on Groundhog Day.

             *** 

'Three in to two' by Joe McGinley

Armagh Theatre Group are  delighted with the response to our new poetry competition 30/3/30.

We would love to see all participants at tomorrow nights Open Mic if possible but can we give you a big

for all your submissions. The standard of poetry was very high and a great spread over the 3 topics which gave the 

judges a torturous time picking a winner. Highly commendable certificates  will therefore be presenting to 3 runners up in each topic.

So hope to see as many poets as possible and thanks once again for making this inaugeral 30/3/30 a success.

Membership of Armagh Theatre Group  is an annual payment of £30 which greatly helps to maintain  Abbey Lane Theatre and all the necessary public liability, health and fire regulations & insurances. As a registered charity we are now obliged under Charity Commission regulations  to produce detailed annual accounts. These have to be professionally produced . Your membership fee allows us to 'keep the doors open' and lets us do what we are here for.....to provide AMATURE DRAMA & ARTS for our community. Less than a penny a day and you can help to enrich lives through Drama, poetry ,music, writing ,songs , stories & much more.

You can download a Bankers Order through the membership section on this website www.armaghtheatregroup/membership.com 

OR drop into your Bank  with these details and set up a standing order.

ARMAGH THEATRE Co Ltd, Bank of Ireland, English St , ARMAGH. sort code 90/20/47 a/c no 40166793.

THANK YOU for considering us.

Our poetry competition  30/3/30 (30 words/3 topics to choose/ £30 for winner) closes tomorrow night at midnight for submissions.

If you are thinking of entering get your finger out and get your submissions in!