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July 2009 |
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ROBINSON CARUSO The Musical Society will stage the Pantomime ROBINSON CARUSO at Halloween. That’s right , CARUSO, his Dad owns the local chipper, and Robinson, his only son, getting into all sorts of trouble and mayhem. It’s a change from the Alexander Selkirk character, Robinson Crusoe, who spent twenty seven years on a desert island, with only Man Friday for company. Robinson Caruso has much more fun, as does his Da, a broken down Italian tenor, and the mother of our heroine, Moira, the Panto Dame, Ma Fiddler. The Society staged ROBINSON CARUSO thirty years ago, with Johnny Irish in the lead role, Irene Malone making her stage debut as Moira, Paddy Finucane as the Dame, and Liamie Doherty as Robinson’s dad, Giovanni. Liam Butler and Kieran Bourke were the two “funny men”, and Ann Doherty as the Witch Queen. John Power, now resident in Co. Clare, was an excellent Whiz Kid. It was an hilarious Show, and now, with an updated script, will no doubt, provide hi jinks at Halloween. Auditions for children will be held in late August, and for adults, in early September. A good time will be had by all. Make a note in your diary, 24th. to 31st. October next.
BLOOD AND GORE The Spring 2010 choice of Show of the Musical Society is the Stephen Sondheim classic SWEENEY TODD the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The Strand Theatre stage will be awash with blood and gore, as Sweeney extracts his revenge on the London world that wronged him. An exciting prospect lies in wait. It’s a very ambitious choice for the award laden, multi talented Society, who can never resist the challenge of taking on such Shows. JEKYLL AND HYDE, WITCHES OF EASTWICK, MAN OF LA MANCHA and CHESS are just a few examples of the Society tackling such enormous Productions. Award winning Director Tony Finegan, who was involved in the winning Productions in both the Gilbert, and the Sullivan, sections on the recent A.I.M.S. Awards in Killarney, pays a welcome return visit to Carrick. His JEKYLL AND HYDE and WITCHES OF EASTWICK endeared him to Cast and audiences alike. As usual, Fergal Carroll will man the “baton” as Musical Director, and with Catriona O’Dwyer as Chorus Mistress, there’s no doubt that SWEENEY TODD will hit the high spots. Be warned, don’t go to Sweeney for a shave !
Rehearsals will commence in November after the Pantomime ROBINSON CARUSO concludes. A really top class Cast of Principals and Chorus are required for SWEENEY, so start practicing your scales and shaving over the Summer.
Just a reminder to parents of intending participants of the Academy for the Performing Arts for children and young adults aged 7 to 16, which gets underway for its second year next September. Applications are rolling in fast as there is a great interest in securing a place in the Academy. Give Willie a bell at 051 645050, or call into the Strand Theatre. Don’t let your kids miss out on a wonderful opportunity to enjoy all aspects of Song, Dance and Stage, as well as make lots of new friends in their leisure time.
The Society extends sympathy to the family of the late Maura Murphy. The Murphy family have had a long and close association with the Society. Maura’s husband Tom was a long time member of the backstage crew, and indeed, trod the boards for a Show or two, while his brother Audie has starred in several Productions. May the light of Heaven shine on her gentle soul.
GETTING READY RAG It’s a musical number from the Show RAGTIME. Any stage Production requires lots of preparation, so the Getting Ready Rag is very apt. Even though it’s holiday time, the Production Teams of the Musical Society are busy preparing for the Panto ROBINSON CARUSO, to be staged at Halloween, and SWEENEY TODD, to run in early March 2010. Padraig Sheehan is Production Manager for both Shows, working closely with Director Tony Finegan on the Spring Show, and with Patricia Woods, Catriona O’Dwyer and Dick Meany, Production Team for the Panto. This group is currently selecting musical numbers and getting music and lyrics ready for rehearsals in September. John Meany, Set Designer, is busy designing Sets for the Panto, and Willie Allen is working on Lighting. Sound, Costumes, Set construction, Make-up and Props are keeping lots of people busy.
As usual, lots of children will be required for the fun and games, and auditions for children are being arranged for Wednesday, 26th. August, in the Strand Theatre. To facilitate the smooth running of auditions, children will be assessed in age categories, with 7 x 8 year olds at 3 to 3.30 pm., 9 x 10 year olds 3.30 to 4 pm., 11 x 12 year olds 4 to 4.30 pm., 13 x 14 year olds 4.30 to 5 pm. and 15 to 16 year olds 5 to 5.30 pm. Auditionees will be required to read dialogue, and sing a verse of the popular SPOONFUL OF SUGAR from MARY POPPINS. There will be no pressure, and children will enjoy the experience. In the Panto there will be several childrens’ groups, and they will perform at alternate performances. A good time will be had by all.
Parents and Guardians can pick up Application forms at the Strand Theatre Box Office. Pick them up, fill them out, and return them at the Auditions on Wednesday 26th. August , at the Strand Theatre.
Adult rehearsals, and auditions, will commence in early September for principal parts, dancers and chorus. Watch this space. ROBINSON CARUSO is going to be lots of fun.
FLAG DAY This weekend, Kilkenny and Waterford flags will flutter in Croke Park, and, no doubt, there will be no scarcity of the black and amber and the blue and white, in town, and surrounds. Talking of flags, the Musical Society would like to remind everyone, that before the big day in Croker, the Society, for the first time in its history, will be hosting its own flags, on Friday and Saturday, 7th. and 8th. August next, when it holds its first ever FLAG DAYS.
With an outstanding debt of over €400,000. 00 on its Strand Theatre Project, the Society is hopefully confident that its loyal friends and supporters will rally to the cause and ensure that its FLAG DAYS will be a success. Initiated by the late John Stuart, who applied for the Flag Day licence, before his untimely death in April last, the Society is appealing to all, Patrons of the Society, friends of the Performing Arts, and supporters of the Strand Theatre, to help the Society in its fundraising. The theatre is a wonderful facility for the town and surrounding area and needs the support of all to help clear its enormous outstanding debt.
Friday evening next, 7th. August, sees the launch of BRENDAN DOHERTY’S new Nashville Album, in the Strand Theatre Wine and Coffee Bar, at 9 pm. Brendan will be joined by some special guests, and a great evening’s entertainment is guaranteed. There is no cover charge, so join Brendan and his friends, for his special occasion, this Friday at 9 pm.
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