And like we had never been away, January's Open Mic was filled with great talent from across several counties
and genres .
The house was full of anticipation for Conchur White's launch of his first solo album 'Swirling Violets'.
Hotly tipped for a big future in the music business by all the indi rock press, Conchur's request to launch in Abbey Lane OMN
was due to the welcome and enthusiasm our audiences show. We wish recently married Conchur all the best in his marriage
and career.
The Open Mic had poets, singers, storytellers and musicians filling the evening and starting with Mollie Maguire, poet; Tim Hanna, film review; Thomas Healy poetry and songs; Mark Brownlee, mental health odes from his recently launched debut book ' Manic'; Dennis McCloskey musician/ singer. After a short break for our famous raffle our Poetry competition winner was announced as Jay Rafferty with his entry 'The Blade' (Friendship topic) and highly commended Ellen McKenna with 'By the Sea' ( favorite walk). Both of these entries will be posted on our website.
Continuing the night Malachi read his now finished poem 'I can't resist a sausage'; Frances Lavery and Fergal Donnelly duetted beautifully with 'So here's to you'; Ellen McKenna poetry; Jay Rafferty poetry; Theo Sinton sang his own composition and
Willie Nelson's hits; Malachi read 'Invited for coffee' and Dymphna Ferran rounded of a super evening with jokes, yarns and her poem
in memorance of her Mum.
Thanks goes to all the helpers on the night who set up , helped at raffle, lights, sound and clearing up after. etc. Best wishes to Rachel
who is down with one of the many bugs..get well soon Rachel.
Our next Open Mic is February 23rd....short month folks and hope to see you there.
Full houses each night for this excellent value for money entertainment. 10 plays written and performed by members and friends of Armagh Theatre Group . Here are some reminders, can you name them?.....more to follow.
ATG's next production, 'Toxic Relationships' by Byddi Lee, will read tomorrow night (23rdJan)in Abbey Lane Theatre at
7.30pm. Under the directorship of Margery Quinn this production is to be performed in April and May @ Abbey Lane .
So if you are keen and able to commit to these dates a part may be there for you, drop in and see.
Our 2 T-Rex gives a godly preview of a scene from 'Toxic Relationships' recently in Dublin.
As the count down continues to the start of 2024's series of Open Mic's in Abbey Lane I'm delighted to announce we will be hosting the Armagh launch of 'Swirling Violets', Conchur White's exciting debut album .
Performing songs from his album Conchur will kick off the night at 8pm
Presently the hottest talent from Co Armagh Conchur has been generating rave reviews on radio, print and social media throughout Ireland, Britain and mainland Europe. So Abbey Lane Open Mic on 26th will, once again, be the place to be.
And that's not all folks! Our Open Mic, poetry competition, and famous raffle will follow. So come early, BYOB and remember limited seating, £5 entry and expect a cracker of an Open Mic Night...........sure where would you get it?
After a very successful run in 23' we are rolling out our FREE 30-3-30 poetry competition for this month's Open Mic on 26th January.
Only change is from a restrictive 30 word limit we are allowing your creative jucies up to 30 line limit. This could be 4 x7line stanza
or 6x5 line verses or whatever format you like but not more than 30 lines (standard A4 )
So to remind our poets 30 lines - 3 topics - £30 to winning poem.
This month's topics suggestions; 1) New Beginnings. 2) A favorite walk. 3) Friendship
Deadline for entries will be midnight 20th January. Entries by email to ; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as attachment.
Title your poem but do not sign your name on attachment.
Judges decision are final. Best wishes to all are entrants.
As we near the end of 2023 a look back on a very busy year for Armagh Theatre Group and Armagh Youth Theatre Group.
Estimated visitors to ATG/AYTG events; over 2650
Productions staged in Abbey Lane/ Market Place/ Dublin venues;
ATG's; My Brilliant Divorce 1 performance
ATG's 'Bleak Expections' 4 performances
AYTG; 'Treading the Boards' 2 performances
'Summer Scheme' 1 performance
' Dec term end show 1 performance
ATG/AYTG
'Impact, Armagh's Train Disaster' 2 performances (MPT)
'Toxic Relationships' 3 performances (Dublin)
Rehearsals for all above smashed 70 sessions in 4 venues
Other activities at Abbey Lane and within group
Open Mic Nights for 2023' Community event 11
Poetry Work Shop for 'Creative Lives'
Marian Rafferty climbs Mount Kilimanjaro
Group trip; Patrick Kavanagh Centre
New storage space erected after the 'Moving stones' ceremony
Mark Brownlee's 'Manic' book launch
Looking forward to 2024. Rehearsals underway for 'Mini Plays' in January. Open Mic returns. AYTG classes returns.Byddi Lee's 'Toxic Relationships' begin rehearsals in February for April performances in Abbey Lane and high hopes for commencing the long delayed extension plans in spring. With a possible trip to Dingle Co Kerry with Byddi's play we have lots to keep us busy in 24'
Big thank you to all who were involved in any way to help us achieve so much as an amature drama group. Without you it would not have happened. We hope you have a peaceful and joyful Christmastime and New Year.
An Evening of Original Mini Plays at ATG
Armagh Theatre Group’s New Year production is – An Evening of Original ‘Mini Plays’ written, produced and performed entirely by members & friends of ATG on Thursday 11th, Friday 12th & Saturday 13th January 2024 at 8pm in Abbey Lane Theatre, Armagh.
Get ready for a night filled with laughter, drama, and incredible performances. Your heartstrings will be plucked and you will laugh at the foibles of humans and admire the depths or heights to which the imagination can and does sink and soar. We welcome this opportunity for our local playwrights to showcase their talents and entertain us at the same time.
Whether you're a theatre enthusiast or just looking for a fun night out, this eclectic mix of mini plays, encompass comedy, romance and the downright bizarre and guarantees a dramatic roller coaster of a night never before seen in Abbey Lane Theatre! So, grab your friends and family and head over to Abbey Lane for an unforgettable night of entertainment.
The ideal Christmas Present? Why Not? Tickets £15 available through the link below.
Our second Dublin event was in the Teachers Club in Parnell Sq where we presented the first full reading of 'Toxic Relationships' to an enthralled audience.
The evening started with a workshop for students and teachers followed by a vegetarian buffet, hospitality of our hosts Oxfam/ Comhlamh. A packed enthuastic theatre were entertained by ATG members and responded with cheers, boos, laughter and applause throughout the performance.
The warmth of the response to the reading was heartfelt by actors, Margaret Marjoram producer and writer Byddi Lee .
Thank you to Oxfam and Comhlamh for all their hospitality and welcome .
This week we broke new ground for the history books of Armagh Theatre Group by appearing in two venues on Wednesday and Thursday in Dublin City.
Firstly Byddi Lee's incisive new play on climate change 'Toxic Relationships' , which we have been rehearsing under the wonderful directorial eye of Margaret Marjoram, was featured as an excerpt reading in Aviva Stadium as part of the Sci-Com Communications Conference.
ATG were the only Drama group attending this vital climate focused event to show young scientists a novel , humorous way of educating audiences through drama. (Hand drawing by attendee while we performed was proof it worked)