Writer’s first play a hit with judges

A woman who has dedicated herself to promoting drama in County Cavan has revealed her own literary credentials by winning a prestigious playwrights’ awards.

Rachael Cullivan Elliott recently won both the Best Irish Play the Overall International One-Act Playwriting Competition hosted by Carlow Little Theatre Society for tragicomedy, ‘In the Name of the Dog’.

Mary Doyle, a member of the three strong judging panel, praised the winning play saying: “The script lifted off the page with its energy, writing talent and craftsmanship. It’s a very well-deserved winner.”

The competition attracted entries from 11 different countries and since its inception in 2020, no Irish person has even made the top three, let alone win the overall prize.

“I was surprised but obviously delighted with the win,” Rachael tells the Celt.

The Cavan woman is a familiar face on these pages through her role as chairperson of Cavan Drama Festival.

“I’ve always been scribbling away at various bits and pieces over the years and have had some successes but I hadn’t tried writing a play before,” Rachael explains. “Because it was my first play I couldn’t believe it when Mark Craddock from Carlow Little Theatre told me I had won. I actually asked him if he was sure!

“What is especially nice is that I think it proves just how much can be learned from watching amateur drama and paying attention - including to the adjudicator’s comments! I’ve seen a lot of theatre over the years - of course professional productions at times but probably far more amateur drama - and that was all the ‘training’ I had.

“If I was able to produce something that resonated and impressed ‘experts’ in theatre then I have to thank the amateur dramatic scene.

“I’d also have to thank my mother who always encouraged us to write and fostered that love of theatre, literature and the arts along with my late father.”

‘In the Name of the Dog’ is about a mother whose role in her male-only family is taken for granted and under-appreciated. The real life mother of three boys describes it as a “gently feministic” piece.

“As a working mother myself, with all the guilt that goes with it, I probably can’t deny a semi-autobiographical element, but it truly isn’t autobiographical in the main.

“Given the ending that becomes obvious! It has many layers with a twist but I use humour a lot so I would hope it would make for good entertainment with plenty of opportunities to laugh at the things that happen in so many households - including clutter and laundry mountains!”

Rachael’s real life experience did suggest the play’s title.

“One of my boys was constantly asking if he could have another dog at a time I think we had five dogs and three cats and I do recall a few exasperated ‘In the name of God’ exclamations. I played around with that for the title.”

Rachael notes her one act drama commenced long before the referendum that unleashed all the commentary about the role of women - and describes her work as a “gently feministic” piece.

“The mother in it is not necessarily unhappy but there are definitely compromises and the ‘was it worth it?’ question is hurled at us by the unexpected tragedy.”

There are no plans to stage the play yet although it will be considered by Carlow Little Theatre in the autumn for their new programme.

“I would both love and be terrified to see it performed,” admits Rachael.

“What I do know now is that I would like to write the ‘prequel’ and the ‘sequel’ as I already have outlines in my head. I just need to get to the bottom of the laundry basket first and then find the time somehow.”