The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
From anxious Aladdin to one of Ireland’s best directors, we chat to Oliver Hurley ...
DIRECTOR Oliver Hurley is immensely proud of the fact he has contributed to every single production staged by Tralee Musical Society during its 30-year lifetime. That’s three decades of performing, directing and stage managing and no one can say Oliver’s current success hasn’t been built on a foundation of experience and hard graft. From anxious Aladdin to one of Ireland’s best directors is a great story. But the key constants during that period have always stayed the same for Oliver: close friendships, fun and a solid work ethic. That’s what helps make a musical society the best it can be.
Neither would you guess from chatting to Oliver that he once nearly succumbed to nerves at a critical juncture in his career and almost shied away at the last minute from crossing the threshold of Tralee Musical Society. But some things are just meant to be in life whether we like it or not.
“That’s true. They had started productions for ‘Aladdin’ and I had heard they were looking for male members. They were two weeks into rehearsal and I remember going down one night with a friend and we went up the stairs to where rehearsals were taking place and I remember hearing them singing inside and we turned around and went down the stairs again. We must have went up and down that stairs two or three times before finding the courage to go in. I still remember making the nervous move and today I’m so glad that I did,” explained Oliver.
Needless to say, Tralee Musical Society are also glad Oliver plucked up the courage to knock on the door as few could have known that night he would go on to be such an integral part of the society’s next 30-years.
“I actually only realised recently that I’ve been extremely fortunate to be involved in every production - in some shape or form - since it started, both as a performer and a director. There was actually one show I didn’t perform or direct in but I staged managed it, so I’ve been involved in Tralee Musical Society’s entire 30-year programme of events and it gives me great pleasure.”
There are two ways of looking at a proud past: you can either pause to admire it, or you can use it to build a better present. The history of Tralee Musical Society has its origins in past organisations like Tralee Light Opera Society and Tops of the Town, But out of this past also came new ideas and phases of development that enhanced the overall thrill of musicals and variety shows; something Oliver believes has worked to the advantage of TMS.
“I think a major development for the society was back in 1993 when Tom Hanafin and I first steered the society into creating variety shows. Through this, it gave people a wider opportunity at musicals and with the variety shows we gave opportunities to young people and up-and-coming talent and I think that has been the secret to the success and longevity of the society. It fostered a lot of talent.
“We also have quite a high male participation which is rare for musical societies and I think we can attribute some of that to the creation of the variety shows as we were able to do a more diverse range of acts. Many young males came on board at that time and they have stuck with us and I think the development of ‘That’s Entertainment’ was crucial in that.”
But Oliver has never been one to look so far ahead that he risks losing sight of the past. That is part of what makes Tralee Musical Society the success it is and when asked what his best memories are, Oliver straight away emphasises the friendships formed over 30-years.
“The friendships, by far. That’s the greatest thing about the last 30-years. Being involved in shows brings a lot of intensity to it and with that comes camaraderie. We’re great friends and we’ve enjoyed great social events and for me it’s one of the most important things I take from it. As well as that, it gave me a great opportunity to develop as a director as back in ’95 when I pushed the whole variety show idea they gave me the opportunity to direct it and that helped me in my career. I became artistic director in Siamsa Tire back in 2000 and on a full-time basis it’s become my job, primarily. That opportunity to direct was the catalyst for my career and in that respect I’m very grateful to Tralee Musical Society.”