Short film
The Ballroom of Romance
Pat O'Connor · 1982
Synopsis
In rural Ireland in the fifties, Bridie, who works the family farm, has been returning for years to the local dance hall in the hope of finding a husband who will help her run it. Surrounded by younger women, she understands that the eligible men of her generation have emigrated or are already taken, and that loneliness is pushing her towards Bowser Egan, an unreliable drinker, the last one left to her.
Context
William Trevor adapts his own short story for this television film produced by Kenith Trodd, with an almost entirely British public-broadcaster crew, Irish television providing the director and the editor, Maurice Healy. The dance hall that had inspired the story having been modernised, filming takes place at Ballycroy, in Mayo. The film is broadcast on 31 October 1982, with Brenda Fricker as Bridie, John Kavanagh and Mick Lally.
Who it is for
A television film of about an hour, in English, with a sober, naturalistic style, and no known French version.
Prizes and reception
Jacob's Award in 1982 and the British television award for best single drama in 1983.