VIDEO: Poignant short film marks deferral of this year's Drama Festival

If these were ordinary times, Athlone would currently be basking in the colour and excitement of the 69th RTE All Ireland Drama Festival.

Sadly, for the second year running, the festival has been deferred.

To mark the absence of this year's event, actors from Ireland’s amateur drama movement came together to contribute to a poignant short film called 'The Interval Act'.

Recorded remotely, using mobile devices, the special two-minute film is a reflection on the lockdowns and restrictions that have seen theatres go dark all over the country.

"Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on all in the performing arts, not least on Ireland's network of 37 amateur drama festivals, many of which are at the core of creative and community life in their localities," commented Festival Director Regina Bushell.

"We are enormously proud of this stunning piece of work, and the opportunity to showcase so many talented voices.

"As we look toward 2022, and hopefully an in-person festival, I’m mindful of the final reflection in this moving piece: we will start again."

You can watch the short film here:

The Players featured in the film are: Majella Toolan (Ballinamore Drama Festival), Trisha Keane (Ballyshannon Drama Festival), Regina Bushell (Athlone Drama Festival), Clare Greer (Bangor Drama Festival), Rachael Elliott (Cavan Drama Festival),

Tom Hanley (Clare Drama Festival), Tina Ward (Glenamaddy Drama Festival), Aidan Reidy (Kerry Drama Festival), Padraig O'Toole (Mountmellick Drama Festival), Sean Hurson, (Mid Ulster Drama Festival), Gayna Beresford (Newtownabbey Drama Festival), Connie Broderick (Rathangan Drama Festival), Sean Corcoran (Rush Drama Festival), Brendan Doyle (South Wicklow Drama Festival) and Peter Davey (Western Drama Festival).