A much-travelled adjudicator, Irene Rostron heaped praise on Backstage Theatre, Longford and on all concerned with hosting the 1998 One Act Festival under an ADCI/DLI joint committee. She said: "It was one of the most exciting drama festivals I have attended. Festival director Gus Hanley, secretary Grainne Milner, chairman Oliver Kenny and others provided spectacular backup to a weekend of fine theatre."

Estuary Players, Dublin, who impressed greatly in Athlone in 1997, won the open section with Chamber Music, by Arthur Kopit. Carrig Players from Cork, with James McClure's Private Wars, won the Confined Section.

An audience survey carried out at the event revealed that 68 per cent attended professional productions between six and 10 times a year, 86 per cent of these travelling from 30 to 50 Miles to do so. Some 47 per cent felt there should be three adjudicators at finals, 19 per cent opted for two, while 37.5 per cent were happy with just one.

More than 50 per cent had visited the excellent Backstage Theatre before and these will be sorry to hear Denise Conroy is no longer on the staff there, having left to take up a new appointment.

New executive members in the DLI include Karen Carleton, chairwoman, and Kevin O'Connor, librarian. There is a strong PR team with Oliver Kenny as PRO and Willie O'Brien as editor of the newsletter.

Macra na Feirme has published a timely, one-act-play directory under the title Intermission Impossible 2 (it is their second). The publication also contains scripts of three plays commissioned by the organisation - Family Planning by Michelle Reid, Homeground by Margaret Hawkins and Margarita by Jack Healy. There is also information about hiring costumes, lighting and other theatre equipment.

Interact co-ordinator Dara Carolan has started into action at The Richmond Business Centre, Dublin (01-8072400, xtn 2030). The position is funded by the EU and involves organising co-ventures between the DLI and the Drama Association of Wales.

Eamonn O'Donoghue, Director of Gormanston Summer School and assorted theatre education courses has formed a new company, Acorn Theatre. He will welcome interest from professional and amateur actors or directors. Acorn's first production was Da, by Hugh Leonard its home town, Ballinasloe. More productions and tours are promised.