From Our Belfast Correspondent.
The sixth annual Catholic Drama Festival, which opened in St. Mary's Hall, Belfast, on Sunday, January 24, concluded last Monday night. The attendance of the public throughout was most encouraging for the promoters.
His lordship Dr. Mageean, patron of the f,estival, who set a splendid example by his many attendances during the session, presided on Sunday evening when the adjudicator, Fr. Justin, C.P., made the awards— one class being held over till after the performance on Monday night.
The Bishop compared this effort with that of the 13th Century, outlined by Dr. Walsh in his book: The Thirteenth, the Greatest of the Centuries.
"There is every indication that the drama is becoming a most important factor in our social life," he said. " To the actor, it is of great educative value. It was also of great educational value to the audiences."
The variety of plays produced during the festival ranged from a Co. Antrim comedy, Lifting the Load, to T. S. Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral—which, by the way, is the first amateur performance of Mr. Eliot's splendid play.
No Rent Strike Near Belfast
A " no rent " strike, which has been in progress for some weeks past in the Glenard Estate, Belfast, had a court sequel in the appearance of four men responsible for the organisation of this protest. They were all returned for trial.
The Glenard Estate was very much in the limelight in July, 1935, when hundreds of poor Catholic families, driven out of their homes and their possessions burned, " squatted " on this housing estate, which was only in course of erection at the time.
Attempts were made to turn them away as many of the houses were unfinished and without sanitary conveniences. But the plight of these people was so pitiable that in most cases they were allowed to stay.