Ballinrobe is set for another sell-out musical
Pictured are the cast of Ballinrobe Musical Society's production of 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'. Picture: Trish Forde
Once again at this time of year, the Ballinrobe Musical Society is busily preparing to stage its annual musical in Ballinrobe Community School.
This year it promises to be another epic production by the award-winning musical society, which takes to the stage from February 16 to 22 with .
This fascinating Disney-inspired musical is certainly one to look forward to, and if early indications are anything to go by, then this show could certainly be sold out for its seven-night run.
Ballinrobe has a long and proud tradition of staging musicals, and each year the annual musical really puts the bustling South Mayo town on the map.
The society has won dozens of awards at the annual Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) ceremony, and last year Kenneth McCarthy received the award for Best Stage Management in the Gilbert section at the annual AIMS awards at the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney. Kenneth acted as stage manager and chairman for the society for its highly successful staging of in February 2024.
Ahead of this year’s production, newly-installed chairman Richard Crumlish said there was great excitement in the town.
“This is a great show. The music is fantastic and there is also a big chorus, and anyone who likes big choruses will certainly enjoy this show”.
The Donegal native is growing accustomed to his new role as chairman.
“I was nominated as chairman at the last AGM and I had previously been involved in the committee years ago as treasurer and PRO. Kenneth McCarthy, who was our previous chairman, nominated me for the role. Kenneth had a lot of work to contend with as chairman, stage manager and the set construction chief.
"I didn’t mind becoming chairman and easing the workload on Kenneth. It has been a novel experience so far and it is fantastic to be part of what is a really good committee, and it is an honour to be the chairman of this fabulous group."
Having been involved with Ballinrobe Town AFC for over a decade, Crumlish can also see team spirit in the musical society as everyone puts their shoulder to the wheel in the production.
“Team spirit is huge in the society and apart from the committee and the cast, there are so many people involved in the production every year who are from Ballinrobe. There are so many people involved, be it backstage, or selling tickets.
"Then the week of the show we will see plenty of people from the town involved, such as members of the GAA Club, rugby club, who all help with the running of the car park, making tea, sandwiches, and all of this is voluntary. There is a great buzz in the town at this time of year and the musical is definitely one of the highlights of the year for Ballinrobe."
Tickets are selling fast for this year’s show and the chairman hopes it will be another sell-out.
“Last year’s show, , was our first show to sell out fully in advance of the first night, and that was history in the making for the society. We would like to think that this year’s ticket sales would come close to last year’s record-breaking sales.
"From a committee point of view, the show has to be paid for. I would also like to make the point that the show would not be possible without our patrons and sponsors. They are all local businesses who are financially backing us and that sponsorship is mentioned in the show programme every year."
Alan Greaney is no stranger to Ballinrobe Musical Society and returns for his second outing as director, after last year’s production. Alan also performed with the society back in 2011 as John Thompson in Peter Kennedy’s . He has had the honour of being nominated five times for directing, singing and acting at the AIMS and won the award for Best Actor as Gomez Addams in the Ennis Musical Society’s production of in 2019.
The Galway man explained that everything is falling into place nicely ahead of the upcoming show.
“It is an incredibly clever show and there is plenty of intricate music. As a director, I am trying to tie the music into the story, plus the choreography of the 60-plus cast on stage. There is a lot in the show, but it is very enjoyable."
Alan explained that it was quite difficult to narrow the auditions to the lead roles.
“Auditions were held in late October or early November, and it is always tough to narrow the cast down to the principal characters. There might be five or six people capable of doing one role, but you can only pick one person, which can be difficult. We are lucky to have such a vast talent pool here in Ballinrobe and the reputation that the society has for putting on great shows is there for all to see.
“This year for example, we have a number of the cast who are from Galway and they became involved this year because of the show and also the reputation that the Ballinrobe Musical Society has.
"At the end of the day, we are an amateur society and people are giving up their free time to be here, and enjoyment for the members is also a crucial element.
People can expect a high-octane show.
“The show is primarily based on the novel by Victor Hugo, but it also includes themes from the Disney movie – - and this will also help children understand it as well. All of the music from that movie is here in the show as well, and that might appeal to the younger audience. The music is by Alan Menken (American composer and conductor) and he has been involved in a lot of the major Disney movies. The lyrics are by Stephen Schwartz, who is also famous for writing the hit musical .
"People going to the show can expect fantastic music, high-energy dancing and a real human story when it comes to the main characters."
Sarah Corcoran, who plays Esmerelda, has previously been involved in musical theatre with Ballinasloe Musical Society. A three-time All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil Singing champion, she won the AIMS Best Female Singer accolade in 2018 for her portrayal of Sarah in the Bravo Theatre Group’s production of .
Sarah is delighted to be part of Ballinrobe Musical Society for the first time.
“They have been so welcoming and it has been really great to be involved this year. I was involved before with the Bravo Theatre Group in Galway, and I have seen a few familiar people becoming involved in this year’s show by the Ballinrobe Musical Society. I also know the production from various musicals over the years.
"There is a real welcoming atmosphere in the Ballinrobe Musical Society and everyone puts their shoulder to the wheel when it comes to getting the show up and running. Even when people go home they are rehearsing their lines and there is always a lovely atmosphere when we all get together for rehearsals.
“The recent storm had an effect on the set-up of the set and that was a setback, but things seemed to get back on track quickly enough."
The Ballinasloe native explained that this is an exciting challenge for Ballinrobe as not a lot of musical societies in the country have taken on a show of this magnitude.
Niall Conway, who plays lead villain Dom Claude Frollo, has played a lead role in every Ballinrobe Musical Society show since 2005. Over the years he has portrayed heroes, villains, and comic roles as well.
“There is lovely music throughout the show and there are really nice themes for characters, which is almost like a film soundtrack," said the schoolteacher.
Ballinrobe Musical Society has always tried to raise the bar when it comes to staging big musicals, and Conway is looking forward to the challenge.
"We have a reputation for taking on the big shows and this is another show to look forward to."
Having made his debut in in 1999, Des Treacy brings a wealth of experience to the set-up every year and is enjoying his role as vice-chairman of the society, having served as chairman from 2012 to 2022.
“Tickets are selling very well and we are always delighted to see that in advance of our shows. It seems to have caught the public’s imagination and that is very pleasing. It is going to be a dramatic show and the music is absolutely terrific."
There has also been a welcome return of some familiar faces.
“There are a lot of people there who may have done shows before and who haven’t been on stage for nearly a decade and it has given them a fantastic chance to get back involved once again.
"It has given the society a great buzz to see some of the previous cast members come back and they bring a wealth of experience to the set-up as well, which overall is very good."
takes place in Ballinrobe Community School from Sunday, February 16 to Saturday, February 22. Sunday’s show will take place at 5pm with Monday to Saturday’s shows running nightly at 8pm.
Tickets can be purchased online or from the Tacú Family Resource Centre, Main Street, Ballinrobe (telephone 094-9542907).
