MUSICAL SOCIETY’S ‘SHOWTIME’

What could be better than ‘ an evening of songs from the world’s greatest musicals’ I thought, so I made my way to the Fairways on Friday night for Dundalk Musical Society’s ‘Showtime’, a night of music and song dedicated to the very best from such classics as Oliver, Miss Saigon, Finian’s Rainbow, South Pacific, Moulin Rouge and All Shook Up, to name but a few.

A huge crowd had descended on the venue for a night of entertainment under the musical direction of Karen McCooey to enjoy a show that has been in practise since the tail end of January.

I wasn’t too long into the foyer when I met up with Cathal and Anne Copas from St. Alphonsus Villas who were there to collect the tickets and told me it was going to be an excellent night after all the hard work the cast had put in to get themselves ready.

I then headed for a table where I had the pleasure of meeting up with Clodagh MacShane from Blackrock Cove, Emer Thorne from New Muirhevna, Holly Murray from Rathmount and Jane McGee from Lis Na Dara who said they couldn’t wait to see the show and specially the performance of their bestie Caragh Mailley who said they’ve been friends with since they were all 4 and are now class mates in St. Vincents.

Next I got a word with Fiona Nevin from Blackrock who was there on the night with her friend Ann Clarke from Glenwood whose husband Stephen was taking part in the show and daughter Jennifer who was involved in the making sure the sound was up to the DMS high standard.

Just arrived in the door were Augustine and Catherine Goss from Kilcurry who were there to cheer on D.L.S. teacher David McArdle and said he’d done such an excellent job playing the Dame in their recent panto Jack and the Beanstalk and couldn’t wait to see him perform again!

Not too far away I then got a word with my old mate Maurice Harrison from Quality Street who was there with his wife Paula and daughter Rachel who were there to support daughter Orlaith in action and were sure it was going to be an excellent night.

After this I caught up with Carol McCourt from Hackballscross with daughters Cara and Claire along with Paula Murray from Carlingford who told me they are all part of the Musical Society but weren’t taking part in this performance but were there to support their compadres and assured me it was going to be an epic night. There Carol, I never even mentioned anything about the medal you were going to be presented with later on!

Next I managed a few words with Mary Mullen from Willow Grove and Ann Gordon from Rockmarshall who told me they just love the DMS and wanted to wish them all the best on their big night.

Making my way through the crowds I then had the pleasure of meeting up with Reese Gamier from Hoey’s Lane who was there with her mum Donna and said they were there to cheer on some of Reece’s schoolmates and couldn’t wait for the show to get under way.

After this I headed over for a chat with Teresa McGahon from Blackrock who was with Mona Daly from Jocelyn Street and Antoinette Britton from Blackrock who told me they just knew it was going to be a brilliant night because of the enormous wealth of talent to be found in Dundalk.

Not too far away I had the pleasure of meeting Ann Ward from Stapleton Place and Anne Whately from Ballybarrack who told me they’ve been DMS supporters for years and were really looking forward to the best from the musicals.

I then headed over for a chat with Pauline Coleman from Mulholland Avenue, Aideen Lynn from Castle Road and Anne Morgan from Avenue Road who wanted to wish Karen and the rest of the cast all the best on their big night and were sure they were certain it was going to be a fantastic night.

Next I managed to get a quick word with Dolores Doherty from Seafield Lawns and Bernie Atkinson from Bay Estate who were there to support the cast and more specially Dolores’s son Alan who was taking the lead on a couple of songs.

I then headed over for a word with Ciara McCabe from Lis Na Dara who was there with kids Naoise and Bébhinn who were with Ciara’s sister Muireann O’Keeffe from Stumpa Hackballscross with kids Aibhlín and Cúnla and were waiting to be joined by brother Cathal and wife Michelle who told me they couldn’t wait to see the show because granny Ann McCabe is the MC and the assistant chorus mistress for the group and she always does an exceptional job.

Making my way through the crowds I then caught up with Geraldine Deane and from Knockbridge and Joan Byrne from Copper Kettle who told me they were there to support Richard McCusker and all his great work!

After this I met up with Margaret McCourt, Beth Hughes and Eabha Monaghan all from Newry who admitted they were there to see James McGinn in action in the male chorus and just knew he was going to be great.

Next I caught up with mum and daughter Martina and Abbie Malone from Stonetown who said they were there to cheer on Jamie Malone and Abbie would do her best on the night as she recovered from her skiing accident.

After this I met up with Dara Wynne-McCarthy from Stamanaran who was there with her granny Ann Wynne and Rita O’Hare both from Knockbridge who couldn’t wait to see Rita’s niece Orlaith O’Hare who would be taking the lead on a couple of songs during the performance.

Not too far away I then got talking to Ciaran Ward from Meadow Grove and Jackie Ward from Knocknamara who were there with Aishling and Kenny Sullivan from Knockagh Hackballscross who were there to see daughters Ellie and Aoibhe singing on the night.

Finally before I departed I caught up with Maisey, Kitty and Joe Burns from Dublin Road who were there to cheer on mum Medbh Burns and were really looking forward a wonderful night.

Even though they only had one performance of their ‘Showtime’ tribute to the musicals, they have already set their sights on Beauty and the Beast which they will take to An Táin Arts Centre from Wednesday 16th October through to Sunday 20th and anyone interested in getting involved, they will be holding auditions on 12th May in St. Nicholas Hall, don’t say you weren’t warned!