Such is his respect for the traders and townspeople of Enniskillen that he insisted on referencing other events as well as his own production of T.S.Eliot’s ‘The Waste Land’, regarded as one of the most important poems of the 20th century.

 Published in 1922, the 434-line poem loosely follows the legend of the Holy Grail and the Fisher King, the keeper of the Grail, combined with vignettes of contemporary British society.

Speaking to the Herald this week, he pointed to ‘a lot of very interesting things’ happening at the festival, one of them, ‘Ohio Impromptu’ which takes place on Devenish and includes a boat ride from the Round O.

“It’s a very atmospheric piece. It’s the kind of event that people will talk about for a long time.”

Another event he commended is, “All That Fall’, by Samuel Beckett, a play that will be performed in St Michael’s College, Enniskillen.

“This really is a radio play, so you are feeling going inside the radio because you are in the dark, listening to actors and sound effects, so  I would encourage anyone in the blind community who may want to go and listen to go along.

“It is being directed by Max Stafford-Clarke, arguably one of the best directors in the English theatre for the last 30 years and the lead role is play by Rosaleen Lenihan, one of Ireland’s greatest actresses.”

He added: “Also, this is St Michael’s first connection with the festival and we are delighted they are with us this year.”

So, what of his offering, “The Waste Land”, a 434-line poem?

“I have broken it into four voices, with four actors, Stanley Townsend, Anna Nygh, Orla Charlton (Irvinestown) and Frank McCusker (Newtownbutler).

“There is also Nick Roth who will be leading a jazz quintet and who has composed some music which links the different standards in the poem that references to the music of the 1920s when the poem was written.”

A third element will be brought by Mandy Melarkey from Derry, the first-ever colour footage of London in the 1920s screened to music.

Other events include the Berliner Ensemble which, according to Adrian Dunbar, represents another coup for the festival  director, Sean Doran.

“This is an international company that tours the world and only goes to the top festivals.

“He did the same last year with “Krupps Last Tape” where you had people flying in from London and Paris.”

Adrian also referred to the various readings, among the guests the likes of Michael Longley, noted Irish poet.

Details of festival events can be found at www.happy-days-enniskillen.com.