Tryst Gains Two Awards At Top Drama Festival
12/6/2006

Tryst wound up a successful year by returning from a top international drama festival with two awards.

Tryst's performance of "Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off" gained the Best Actress and the Best Costume and Set Design awards at the Dundalk Maytime Festival in Ireland.

Rhona Law played the challenging part of Mary in the play, and was complimented by Canadian adjudicator Annette Procunier for her outstanding portrayal of the doomed Queen.

And Kareen Cairns and Carol Allan received the top award for costume design. Kareen made the two queens' dresses while Carol was responsible for the large Scottish and English flags that dominated the set, both spending hours on the intricate detail.

Tryst President Frank T Murray (BSc, retirement beckons) said: "What a great way to finish a very successful year. There were nine top-quality plays from Ireland, the USA and Scotland at Dundalk, so for Tryst to win two awards is marvellous.

"The club is especially delighted for Rhona who joined us this year. She was a magnificent Magrit in "The Steamie" in November and now she has a Best Actress award for her mantelpiece. It's well deserved and shows the quality we have at Tryst, as the last time we were in Dundalk in 2002, Carol Clark was also Best Actress."

Rhona, a financial adviser, said: "I'm euphoric to receive the award. I couldn't believe it when my name was announced. I almost broke my ankle as I jumped up to go on stage!"

Tryst now take a summer break before returning to Bowhouse in November with their next play.