Hospital musical will help lift the January blues
HUGELY POPULAR HOSPITAL MUSICAL RAISING MONEY FOR CHARITY
IT’S that time of year again and Sligo Hospital’s doctors, nurses and staff are busy getting their lines ready to tread the boards for their annual musical.
Last year the Sligo Hospital Musical raised a substantial €12,000 for local charities and since it began back in 1997, more than €150,000 has been given to charity.
The Society began 21 years ago, when two junior doctors decided that a musical society and subsequent production of “The Sound of Music” was just what the doctor ordered.
From these humble beginnings in a modular building behind the hospital, the society has expanded over the years and their productions have become a firm favourite to wipe the January blues away.
The group is preparing to make audiences laugh with their upcoming show, The Frog Prince.
It’s being staged in the Hawk’s Well Theatre from the 24 th to the 27 th of January and will be another barrel of laughs from this acclaimed bunch of actors.
The plot of this Pantomime centres around Prince Norman, a kind hearted prince who is about to be crowned King when his father retires due to old age. But the King’s evil sister, Norman’s Aunt Phibian, has a plan to usurp the throne herself and leave her nephew transformed into a frog.
The show is performed and produced by employees of Sligo University Hospital, under the directorship of radiographer Niamh Manly and resuscitation officer Deirdre Staunton.
The diverse cast of 24 is made up of administration staff, theatre operatives, nurses, pharmacists, care assistants, doctors, catering staff, radiographers and many more.
They have been rehearsing since October to bring this pro- duction to the stage in January.
It’s a big team effort, with choreography, singing, props, set and costumes all organised by the cast and their colleagues, friends and families.
Once the overheads are paid, the proceeds are donated to local charities.
Each year, the generous patrons, sponsors and attendees of the show help to raise funds for beneficiaries.
They include the Alzheimer Day Centre, Ransboro N.S. Glen project, Cregg House, DVAS Domestic Violence Advocacy Service, S.H.O.U.T, The Jack and Jill Foundation, Samaritans and many more.
Last year, approximately €12,000 was raised and divided between local charities.
Tickets to the show are €15 for adults and €10 for concessions.
Performances take place from Wednesday January 24 th to Saturday, January 27 th at 8pm, and a matinee at 3pm on Saturday. Tickets can be bought online from the Hawk’s Well Theatre, or by calling or dropping in to the booking office of the theatre. So come along, it’s just what the doctor ordered.