Poetry Compo submissions end 17th Feb

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Created: 16 February 2023

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!

Great start to 2023's Open Mic nights

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Created: 28 January 2023

There wasn't room to swing the cat in Abbey Lane last night, (which was a great relief to tabby) as our Open Mic returned 

with a packed audience. We were delighted with the response and the varied 'acts' throughout the evening made for an eclectic mix.

A delayed start to accommodate the crowd was quickly forgotten when our guest artist Doreen McBride took to the stage and enthralled us with her life story and tales of Ulster folklore.

The many  participants on stage included poets, storytellers singers, musicians and comics. Starting with John Henderson;Stephen Clendenning; John McAndrew;Joe McCool;Stevie C;Eugene McStravick;Una;Theo Stinson; Jay Rafferty; Dymphna; Matthew Toner; Anna Grindel; Matty; Frances Lavery;Mark Brownlee;Terry Conlon; Tim Hanna and the last applause was for Peter Kelly. Seven poets (original work); two comics, four musicians/singers(original and covers); two storytellers/yarns and three singers (cappella). .....

We also had time to launch our new free poetry competition 30/3/30 ....30 words/ 3 topics/ £30. All details have been posted on our website under News/Blog and on our FBpage Armagh Theatre Groupatg. Submissions for this first month to be in by 17th Feb to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Not bad value for £5.

Thank you to our guest Doreen, all the participants who performed and all that helped organise and clear up after for the Armagh Youth Theatre Group in the morning. Next Open Mic will be on 24th February with a new Guest artist and the winner of the 30/3/30 Poetry Competition.

New poetry competition 30/3/30 launched at OMNight

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Created: 28 January 2023

                Abbey Lane Poetry Competition 30/3/30

                        30 words/3 topics/£30

             We are accepting submissions now. Entries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by end Feb 17^th .

Contact details in body of email. Titled poem in attachment with no personal details. Title of work not included in 30 words. Word doc etc no PDF’s

RULES:  Judge’s decisions are final. Winner takes all.

*One poem per submission on one subject. Submitting for each topic is allowed on separate attachments.

 *Original unpublished work.    Format open.

*Winner announced at next Open Mic (last Friday of month).

 *Reading by author on the night, when possible, and cash prize presented.

  *Winning work showcased on our website (copyright remains with the author).

Topics 1) Loves’ triangle. 2) Nature.  3) Groundhog day.

       Best wishes to all participants and have fun! 

Doreen McBride our guest for January Open Mic

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Created: 20 January 2023

Doreen McBride has many irons in the fire. If she ever retires she can claim 5 pensions; Author, Folklorist, Storyteller, Broadcaster and National treasure. Proof, if proof be needed, that mulity tasking is alive and kicking in CoDown.

She describes herself as a biology teacher who has gone wrong! And goes on to say...

'I enjoyed teaching but suddenly went bananas! I felt as if it wasn’t me responding to pupils, but some stranger pulling strings.

I told a very dear friend who said,’You’re suffering from burnout. That happens to teachers. You give and give and give for years and find there’s nothing left. Other countries have sabbaticals and that fixes the problem. There’s no such thing here so I suggest you try something different.’

So I did. I’ve always written as a sideline so I decided to take it seriously. And here I am. The author of many books on folklore, folktales, local history, busy recording things I feel it would be a shame to lose. Our past is our heritage. We should treasure it.' 

We are delighted to welcome Doreen as our guest artist of the month to Abbey Lane Theatre's  Open Mic night, friday 27th January.

 

First Open Mic of 2023!

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Created: 10 January 2023

Have you song, story, tune or act you would like to try out? Well this is your chance. £5 entry gets you 5min on stage, under lights with an appreciative audience. Abbey Lane Theatre Armagh .BT617DW

Armagh Youth Theatre Group back for second term

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Created: 06 January 2023

What we brought to the stage in 2022

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Created: 22 December 2022

A momentous year for Armagh Theatre Group as you will see in this review of the year by Aisling Kelly.

We started with rehearsals of MyBrilliant Divorce directed by Kevin McEneaney which was performed in Abbey Lane Theatre,

MarketPlace Theatre, Craic Theatre, Southbank Playhouse Belfast and Garage Theatre Monaghan. Well done to Bridie, Margery and David  for excellent performances throughout. Also a big thank you for Lorcan McEneaney (transport) Allan and John (technical) and all who helped to make this such a success. 

March saw the first live staged production in two years when our adopted daughter Cathy Carson brought her 'Becoming Marvellous' one woman show to Abbey Lane . Packing our theatre for both nights Cathy has went on to perform this show throughout these islands to universal praise. And shes has made time to attend a couple of OMN's in this busiest of years for her.

Open Mic Night's returned in February and the influx of new writers, musicians and singers along with our loyal contributors coming back in numbers made our monthly gathering buzz with talent. 

2022 saw the return of 'Impact' our Armagh Rail disaster play which performed to full houses in Tthe Studio Theatre Market Place in November. Directed by Margery Quinn ( yes the same Margery as in MBD) with a cast of almost 50 she weaved her magic to produce another blockbuster memorable production. (Keep a note for Impact's return in November 2023 MPT)

The cast also included all the nembers of our new Armagh Youth Theatre Group which began this year under the tutlage of Aisling Kelly and Adam Trotter and all things considered probably the most important development for the 'Group'  in years.

A re vamped lighting dock to accommodate the increasing techy equipment and give breathing space to our wonderful tech team was finished in November with  extra mic spots and wiring to improve our audience's experience.

So all in all a busy year for all the members of Armagh Theatre Group and looking forward to further progress in 2023. Thank you for all your vital and continuing support and best wishes for the New Year.

https://fb.watch/hCGSHgS4I7/ link to celebration video.

Christmas Party time at Abbey Lane

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Created: 19 December 2022

All sparkles and glitter at our annual, once ever 2 years, Christmas bash. With world class entertainers, finger licking food 

and the heat on early just think what you missed due to 'other engagements' 'fear of frost bite' or 'too tight to pay £5' 

Well just look at these happy faces and wish you had braved it cause we par- teyed till the wee small hours!!!!! 

Happy Christmas and a peaceful, heathly and exciting 2023 to all our followers.

Last Open Mic of 2022

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Created: 29 November 2022

Finally recovered after a busy Georgian Day weekend!

We had a cracker of an Open Mic Night to round off 2022. Massive thanks to our special guest David Braziel who entertained us with ruminations on plums and the realism of the the nativity scene, while also including some poetry by Wilfred Owen.

We were joined by some new faces including Mollie Maguire, Una Flynn, John Henderson, Ruby Allen and Eva. We hope to have you back in 2023!

Poetry and prose includes Frances Moen, reading of a beautiful poem about her mother. Matthew Toner wowed us with two poems including some villainy! Mark Brownlee read a mixture of his own work and that of WR Rodger’s poetry. Malachi Kelly opened the show with an existential crisis while Tim Hanna reminded us all why holidays by the pool can be rowdy!

We were joyfully entertained with music by Thomas, Peter and Bridie

We rounded the evening off with some side splitters from Dympha Ferron.

Thanks to all the helpers for all their hard work

Roll on the next Open Mic Night in January 2023!

John Henderson reads his poetry.

Guest artist for November David Braziel

 

Access to Abbey Lane tonight 25th Nov (Georgian Festival)

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Created: 25 November 2022

Please enter the city centre via Dobbin Street then turn right into Linenhall St and to the car park from there..

Open Mic starts 8pm tonight.