St George’s
Dear Sir,
How lucky those of us were, who attended the wonderful venue of St George’s Art and Heritage Centre recently to be superbly entertained by the great performances in The Fit-Up Theatre Festival.
Thursday, 10th February was the first of these with the very talented Seamus O’Rourke who wrote, directed and performed in ‘ The Handy Man’, and what a performance it was, hilariously funny and also heart-breaking at times as life in a small town in rural Ireland was examined. Sometimes laughter and fun covered the despair and loneliness of a person without anyone. How he managed to remember his lines, all alone in the spotlight without the comfort of another actor for back-up was a feat in itself. Ninety minutes later, we were on our feet applauding, many of us sorry that this great performance had ended.
Valentine’s Night will be forever remembered as an extraordinary night by any standard. Vladimir Jablokov with his violin transported us to Vienna, with ‘ The Radetzky March’ and had the audience clapping along and stomping its feet. ‘The Blue Danube’ and then the theme from ‘Schindler’s List’ and ‘If I Were a Rich Man’ and many more audience favourites, kept us all enthralled. Vladimir told us he was born in Slovakia and now lives in Ireland. His personality and chat after each number was almost as entertaining as his music. His accompanist was also a very accomplished musician. Again, a standing ovation and an encore.
Finally, on Thursday, 17th February we were superbly entertained by the very talented Irene Kelleher who performed in her own one act play called ‘ Wake.’ This could have been a very depressing piece of work but it was saved by the Irene’s talented writing and by her comic portrayal of the various relations present. She had the ability to transform her body and contort her face and voice from male to female in seconds. It was not without its serious side either and I’m sure there were a few tears shed when she eventually was led by the hand to view her mother in her coffin. This performance again gained a standing ovation.
Geoff Gould of ‘The Fit-Up Theatre’ is to be congratulated on bringing us such an enriching and rewarding experience.
Before Christmas we were treated to a performance by Rebecca Storm, the staging of which was worthy of a place in London’s West End. Her wonderful ‘ Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’ was extraordinarily moving with the applause starting almost before the song was completed such was the enthusiasm of the audience.
Then, there was our local multi- talented Eamonn Walsh’s Christmas concert which was also outstanding and St Georges’ with its wonderful ambience was such a fitting venue to display Eamonn’s talent and those of his fellow performers which also included his sister Niamh. Their ‘ Fairy Tale Of New York’ with Eamonn playing the grand piano was a performance that was spine tingling and unforgettable. Another standing ovation.
Congrat u l a t i o n s to St Georges’ Board for having the vision in helping to save this great building for us all in Mitchelstown. Of course, there is a lot more to do and as the Treasurer Anne Morrison told me recently, they are depending on public support to pay off their loan of €150,000 and are currently running a raffle until March 17th next and donations, however small are most welcome. Wishing them every success for the future, and if their present achievement is anything to go by, the future is fully secure indeed.
Sincerely, Bunty Flynn, Ballinwillin Close,
Mitchelstown.