Perhaps critics of professional theatre who persist in using the term "amateurish" should be horsewhipped into observing standards at Athlone All-Ireland Drama Festival. Any of eight plays might have won the Esso Trophy this year. With this achievement, perhaps it is time to consider extra marks for introducing new players, directors and designers?

Six years ago I wrote that amateurs should never attempt farce, and it is a tribute to improved standards that I now must retract. Ballyduff Drama Group brought Ray Cooney's Out of Order to the festival and had the audience cheering at its outlandish nonsense.

Moat Club, Naas, had a fine set and clever water-wading effects. Their acting, lighting and direction was excellent and did everything possible to overcome the predictability and occasional crudeness of Marina Carr's Portia Coughlan. Crudeness increased in Martin McDonagh's The Cripple of Inishmaan. The play's fame brought throngs to the Dean Crowe Hall and I heard many expressions of disappointment about coarseness, frequent scene-changes and one long scene reminiscent of a Harry O'Donovan sketch. Enniscorthy Theatre Group, however, demonstrated why they won the Welsh Drama Festival three times in a row. They are now a highly proficient and talented company in all departments.

Corn Mill Theatre, Carrigallen must be highly praised for a magnificently scruffy pool hall and for introducing young players. Billy Roche's Handful of Stars has a dreary first act but in act two the true worth of this constantly impressive company became obvious, and the climax was riveting.

In a stunning production of Frank McGuinness's Someone Who'll Watch Over Me, Olivian Players from Dublin brilliantly teased and wrung every raw emotion and humorous nuance from the work - magnificent. Ambitious lighting gave a beautifully touching love scene in the Dalkey company's Translations, by Brian Friel, although its moon cast opposing shadows. Throughout, the lighting remained pretty, intruding somewhat on the required hedge school atmosphere. The company included fresh young players. Direction was fluid, with good pace, attractive grouping and some good performances.

Results

Esso Trophy for Winning Group: Enniscorthy Theatre Group's The Cripple of Inishmaan. Second Place: Dundalk Theatre Workshop. Third Place: Moat Club, Naas. Fourth Place: Ballyduff Drama Group.

Best Actor: Fergus Mullen, Dundalk.

Best Actress: Carmen Yeates-O'Gara, Enniscorthy.

Best Director other than Winning Groups: Matt Murphy, Dundalk.

Best Supporting Actress: Ann Hurley, Naas.

Best Supporting Actor: Conal Boyce, Naas.

Best Set: Stan Hickey, Naas.

Best Lighting: Barbara Sheridan/P. Clince, Naas.

Best Stage Manager: Ann Kennedy, Enniscorthy.

Summer School Scholarships: Ciara Murphy and Pat Kelly (Gormanston); Bernard McCartan, (Maynooth)