Four plays, performed over two nights, saw a varied mix of original theatrical performance that included music, dance, gothic drama and social conscience, all conceived, created and produced in the island.

Theatrefest’19 took place at the Studio Theatre at Ballakermeen High School last weekend, over Friday and Saturday night, and was a hugely entertaining mix of contrasting theatre styles.

One of the first plays performed was ’Identity’, a short but powerful piece of ’devised’ theatre, created in the space of a week under the eye of director John Young.

The cast, featuring actors both young and old, acted out scenes in which people are judged and struggle with the idea of their own identity, seen through either their own eyes or the eyes of others, and featured several tough and hard-hitting performances from the cast, many of whom were acting for the first time.

In complete contrast, ’M is For Manx Cat’ was a thoroughly charming song-and-dance version of the recently released children’s ABC book, and featured Claire Kilgallon as a grandmother trying to keep her cheeky and hyperactive grandchildren Alexis Wilson and Isaac Kreisky entertained.

This was imaginatively cut with energetic dancing from Lois Mooney and Isaac Murtagh and accompanied by the Ballkermeen school choir, who sang a selection of old Manx songs and new compositions created for the show.

Theatrefest was rounded off with ’The Mechanic’, a classic love story, portrayed against the backdrop of the 1950’s TT, written by Pat Cullen and featuring the combined talents of Dandi Dancox, Alex Maxwell, Hannah Clinton, eight year-old Finlo Wood and Isaac Murtagh, appearing for the second time that night.

The highlight of the festival, however, came at the start of the opening night, with the premiere performance of the winning play in the Theatrefest Playwriting Competition.

Written by Mike Bonner, ’Purga Tree’ was a superbly chilling psychological, supernatural tale about a mother with psychic abilities who was able to foresee her daughter’s death.

A strong performance from Lisa Creighton as the mother kept the tension building throughout the play, and Abbie Williams, the current young actor of Mann, who played her daughter, gave a compelling and heartbreaking performance as the daughter.

Supported by Neil Callin, Toby Smith and Paul Sellors, both Lisa and Abbie’s performances, and the play itself, set the bar high, and paved the way for a very successful festival.