Mayo musical society brings 'The Phantom' west for the first time
Members of Ballinrobe Musical Society, back row, from left: Oisín McGovern, Joff Manning, Des Treacy, Rory Quinn, Tommie Heneghan, Mick Sweeney, Gérard Spitz, Tom Carney, John Byrne. Third row: Edward Scott, Richard Crumlish, Pat McGovern, Mary Boyle, Ana Aguilar, Angela Staunton, Jenny Hughes, Eve Garvan, Lisa Murphy, Andrea Quinn, Joanne Heskin, Louise Gallagher, Maria Hobson, Kathy Kennedy, Emer Philbin, Debs Maxwell, Ita Delaney, Karina Jakubowska, Hazel Heneghan, Gerry Hughes, Orla Boland, Michael Cooney, Niall Conway, Sharon O’Malley Second row: Úna Loughran, Mary Grealis, Aileen Feely, Aoife Watson, Fred Yarnell, Oisín Gannon, Mick Gannon, Ger Bailey, Gemma Gannon, Maria Gallagher Front row: Kate McDonnell, Catherine Conway, Aisling Conroy, Lizzie Ord, Eimear McGovern, Erika Flynn, Emma Loscher, Melissa Tierney, Aoife Scott, Sophia McGreal, Therese Morley, Annemarie Sinnott, Martina Madden, Fiona Burns Absent from photo: Michelle Conroy and Eugene O’Malley
History will be made in Ballinrobe next month when an iconic world-renowned show will come to the West for the first time.
has never been performed in the West of Ireland, but Ballinrobe Musical Society will stage the show at Ballinrobe Community School from Sunday, February 11 to Saturday, February 17.
first premiered in October 1986 in London’s West End and has been the foremost musical in the world since. It is based on the 1910 novel of the same name by Gaston Leroux, which was then turned into a musical with music from the famous Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Charles Hart and additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe.
It opened on Broadway in January 1988 and is still the longest-running show there. There were nearly 14,000 live performances of the musical until its last showing in April of last year.
After the success of last year, the Ballinrobe Musical Society is thrilled to be bringing one of the greatest musicals of all time to South Mayo in February.
Stage manager and chairman of Ballinrobe Musical Society, Kenneth McCarthy said that when the rights for came up, they had to grab it with both hands.
“Des Treacy and myself went to a show in Galway last April, and he told me there was a society in the southeast doing and I was like, ‘Seriously?’ So, I asked him were the rights available for next year. He came back less than two days later and told me the rights were available,” Kenneth told the .
“I said ‘Let’s go for it’, and now we’re so excited about it! It’s a massive show and it’s a massive challenge, both technically for us with the stage and to get a principal line-up that’s strong enough and good enough to play the frontline.”
will feature one of Ballinrobe’s largest casts in years with ten principal characters and 55 chorus members.
“We had to put everything into it. When we had the auditions, we had over 40 people there and we have now gotten a principal line-up that is just unreal. To hear them singing is just fantastic,” Kenneth said.
“There are a lot of effects on the stage this year and we’re using every inch of it. It will be an amazing show.”
Niall Conway will have the honour of playing the title character. Niall is one of the most recognisable faces in the society and has played a lead role in every single show since 2005. He has won numerous accolades at the AIMS awards.
Like he always does, Niall is taking his lead role of 'The Phantom' very seriously and has conducted plenty of research, including a visit to see the show in West End.
A menacing feature presence both on and offstage, The Phantom is a musical genius who is shunned by society from an early age for his hideous facial deformities. The Phantom dwells beneath the Paris Opera House, concealing his ugliness with a half-mask during his rare public appearances.
“I did not assume I would get the role, but it’s lovely to have a go at it, especially that it’s a show that you just couldn’t do years ago because you couldn’t get the rights. It’s either the most iconic show or the second most, but it’s definitely not third,” Niall said.
“We’re really excited but we want to get everything just perfect because we want to do it justice. It’s quite the spectacle, it’s quite visceral, but we can’t wait.”
The Phantom tutors promising young opera singer, Christine Daaé, who is played by soprano Eve Garavan.
This is Eve’s second time performing with Ballinrobe Musical Society, having previously played the part of Mabel in in 2020. Eve is very excited to be returning to Ballinrobe to play the role of Christine, a role she has loved since the age of 16.
“I’m absolutely buzzing to be back. I had so much fun with and met so many great people. When this opportunity came up, I grabbed it,” Eve said.
“It’s a dream for me to play this part. I’ve loved this musical since I was 16. I always wanted to play it, but I never thought I’d get the opportunity. It’s one of those things you dream of, but you never think it’ll happen, so I’m just delighted.”
Long-time committee member Des Treacy is playing The Auctioneer. Des made his debut with the society in 1999 for and has been in every show since.
Last year he played reprised the role of Charles the butler in , a character he played when they staged the show in 2002, and he’s really looking forward to this show.
“I met my wife on stage, I’ve been chairman of the society for the guts of ten years, so I’ve had a lot of great times, but this one is going to be a great year. is something else, we’re on stage a really long time and I never thought we’d be able to do it,” Des said.
“There’s a great buzz around the town and I’d say the demand for tickets will be crazy. It’s brilliant how involved the community gets with the show though, everyone wants to be part of it.”
Emma Loscher is a relative newcomer to Ballinrobe Musical Society having joined in 2022 for last year’s production of . She has since taken over the role of secretary and is delighted to be a part of the society.
“I’ve absolutely loved it. I’ve always wanted to be a part of the society and after Covid, I got that push to join and I enjoyed every minute of it. It’s like a family,” Emma said.
“I’ve been very busy, but I’ve gotten great help from all the committee members.”
Last year was Emma’s first time doing a musical, and this year she is a member of the chorus.
“Last time I did a musical I was four or five! It’s just something I always wanted to get into and I’ll never look back now. It’s great to have something to look forward to over the winter evenings.”
This year is Alan Greaney’s first time directing a show for the Ballinrobe Musical Society and what a show to start with. However, it’s familiar territory for Alan.
“It’s my first year directing, but it’s not my first year with Ballinrobe. I was involved in a production called in 2011, where I played one of the lead parts, so you could call that a soft intro into the society.
“I was delighted to be considered for It’s the first time it’s been done in the West of Ireland and there’s no better society than Ballinrobe to put it on. The show itself is a very technical show and the lads in Ballinrobe love them.
“It promises to be a fantastic spectacle with the staging, the story and the music. We have quite a large orchestra this year, which is what’s required for this show. Once that first chord hits, you’re in for a treat.”
Tickets are now on sale at www.gr8events.ie/ballinrobems. For group, family or concession rates, please contact the Ballinrobe Musical Society’s box office at Tacú, Credit Union House, Main St, Ballinrobe at 094-9542907.
Show dates are Sunday, February 11 to Saturday, February 17, running nightly at 8pm, except for the Sunday show which will take place at 5pm. The venue is Ballinrobe Community School.
