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June 2009 |
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A BRACE OF NOMINATIONS The Musical Society was delighted to receive two nominations in this year’s A.I.M.S. Awards scheme. The first was for the DREAM SEQUENCE in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. This scene called for great technical input as Stage Manager Michael O’Hara and Stage Engineer Ger Dunphy combined to make the bed, which could be lifted and revolve, to great effect. Director Liam Butler and Choreographer Mary Mc Donagh pulled out all the stops to make the Dream scene one of the highlights of the Production.
The second nomination was in the MARY KELLY UNSUNG HERO category. Paddy Boland, Jackie Faulkner and Johnny Kelly were nominated and hopes are high that the trio will emerge successful when results are announced in Killarney on 13th. June next.
The citation for this nomination reads as follows:
CITATION FOR UNSUNG HERO 2009
THE LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE Paddy Boland, Johnny Kelly and Jackie Faulkner, former, supposedly retired, members of Carrick-on-Suir Musical Society Backstage Team, now affectionately known as the Last of the Summer Wine are nominated for the Mary Kelly Unsung Hero Award. They are a comedy team, on their own, but they don’t know it! They are not quiet, in fact, usually the opposite, they can be a noisy bunch, one in particular. Paddy was Stage Manager for years, Johnny was Stage Carpenter, and Jackie, a man of many trades. They retired, we thought, and about time! Johnny has heart trouble and a bad leg, Paddy complains of varicose veins, and Jackie is diabetic, but has plenty of guff. The three boys walk the town, solve the world’s problems, and know any bit of scandal before it happens.
Did we say they were retired? WRONG. Any jobs that need to be done, they man the “day shift”, making sets and props, and any other jobs that need to be done around the stage, and nobody knows they’re there, real silent heroes, at least to the outside world. Silent they are not! When Jackie gets going he can stir a lot of “you know what”, and continually “scars” poor Johnny, who smiles away as the prowess of his revered Kilkenny is questioned. The other two of course support the Blue and Gold, and the craic is only mighty. Maybe it’s only to get in out of the cold, or to rest from all the walking, but we can’t get rid of them. They’re always sawing and hammering and doing their thing for whatever needs to be done about the Strand Theatre. They enjoy life in their own busy way. Unsung heroes? You can bet your shirt, be it blue and gold or black and amber, on it. It’s people like our Summer Wine that are the life blood of many of our Societies. We can’t get rid of them, but who wants to?
A.I.M.S. IN KILLARNEY This weekend sees thirty six members of the Musical Society packing their bags and donning the “glad rags” for the big KNEES UP of Musical Societies from all over the thirty two counties. In recent years, a thousand hopefuls, and supporters, assembled in the gigantic banqueting hall of the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney, doing no harm at all to the Kerry economy. It’s always a brilliant weekend, where old and new friends, meet and greet for a couple of days, AND NIGHTS, of fun, sing song and craic, the highlight being the Awards Banquet on Saturday 13th. June, where all nominees and supporters nervously wait for the Awards to be announced. The local Society have two nominations, the first in the premier Gilbert Section, for the Dream Sequence in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and the second for Paddy Boland, Johnny Kelly and Jackie Faulkner in the MARY KELLY UNSUNG HERO category. Here’s hoping the Society will be successful. The travelling contingent will have a brilliant weekend.
GREAT CELEBRATIONS Musical Society members who had travelled to the A.I.M.S. Seminar and Awards Banquet in the Gleneagles Hotel in Killarney last weekend, joined with the thousand or so other members of Musical Societies from all over the thirty two counties, who had gathered to celebrate this great annual event. With two nominations, the local Society had plenty to shout about, and although missing out on the Award, celebrated their two runners-up Awards. Congratulations to Paddy Boland, Johnny Kelly and Jackie Faulkner who came second in the Mary Kelly Unsung Hero Award category, and the Society, runners-up in the Spirit of A.I.M.S. category for the hilarious Dream scene in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. The gang really enjoyed their trip to Killarney.
The Society congratulates two members who successfully contested the recent elections. Sylvia Cooney Sheehan headed the poll in the Town Council contest, and also secured a seat on the County Council. Sylvia has starred in many Society Productions over the years, from HELLO DOLLY in the early eighties, to the recent CINDERELLA of 2005, as well as joining the Chorus for the Gala Opening Concert last August. She is also part of the make-up team, especially in the hair department, for all Society Productions.
Kieran Bourke, in his first election, retained his late uncle’s, Denis Bourke’s , seat on the Town Council, and narrowly missed holding his County Council berth. Kieran has played many roles over the years, from HELLO DOLLY to IRENE, and many parts in Panto, usually as one of the “funny men”, which suited him admirably. Due to pressure of work he had to take a step back from the stage in recent years, but quickly came to the Society’s rescue when the Strand Theatre was being refurbished and extended. He was the main contractor, and, wearing his “Society cap”, ensured that everything ran smoothly and as economically as possible for the Musical Society. No doubt, both will contribute constructively in the Council Chamber over the life of the new Council.
WONDERFUL FESTIVAL Congratulations to all involved in the Clancy Brothers Festival, held over the June 12th. to 15th. weekend. It was a huge success, involving many venues, indoors and outdoors. The Musical Society is delighted that the Strand Theatre facility was central to many of the theatrical activities. The wonderful facilities of the Strand, not only provided a 360 seat theatre, but also space for a superb Photographic Exhibition, mounted by the Carrick Camera Club, as well as the spacious Wine / Coffee Bar, which made an ideal venue for Patrons and Artistes to meet and greet and relax over a social drink. How much poorer our town would be if the Musical Society had not grasped the nettle and purchased, refurbished and extended the Strand Theatre. The Society deserves support in its efforts to clear the outstanding debt on the facility.
ACCLAIM FOR ACADEMY The Academy for the Performing Arts concluded its first year at the Strand Theatre recently. Run by the Musical Society every Saturday since last September, over 170 children and young adults, aged seven to sixteen years, enjoyed the first term, conducted to Christmas, and the second term, recently concluded with a great Show, to demonstrate to parents, grandparents and siblings, some of the stagecraft they had acquired over the two terms. Tutor Catriona O’Dwyer provided accompaniment for the superb entertainment, demonstrating the great enjoyment all the participants got from performing, The course, with superb tutors, covered Song, Dance, Drama and Stagecraft, enabling the 170 plus participants, not only to acquire vast knowledge of the stage, but also to make new friends and enjoy a new way of spending their leisure time. The tutors also enjoyed the experience of having so many keen pupils enjoying the great atmosphere of learning and performing in the Strand Theatre, which proved a wonderful venue, with its various studios, for the Academy. The organising committee of the Academy, headed by Padraig and Eithne Sheehan, and Liam and Breda Butler, are to be congratulated. Committee, tutors and participants take a bow.
There is already great interest in Year 2 of the Academy which opens in September. Many of last year’s “stars” have already enrolled, and new applicants aged 7 to 16 are welcomed. Contact Willie at 051 645050 or call into the Strand Theatre (Bridge entrance) 11 am. to 1 pm. and 2 pm. to 4 pm., or any member of the committee. The successful applicants will learn, enjoy, make new friends, and “have a ball”. |
