VICTORIOUS Ballinrobe Musical Society celebrate after winning several awards at the annual AIMS awards in the INEC, Killarney at the weekend. Pic: Don MacMonagle
A Titanic achievement for Ballinrobe Musical Society
Three prestigious AIMS awards for Ballinrobe in Killarney
Emer Gallagher
“THE awards are so coveted that to be nominated is fantastic, but to win is absolutely amazing,” said Pat McGovern, chairman of the Ballinrobe Musical Society that scooped three major awards at the annual ‘Oscars’ of the Irish musical world.
Over 60 members of the society travelled to Killarney last weekend for the gala awards dinner where their sell-out production of ‘Titanic – A New Musical’ was honoured with three prestigious awards.
Ballinrobe were nominated for six awards at the annual Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) awards and there was unconfined delight when the nominations translated into three gongs – Best Programme, Best House Management and Best Chorus.
Each year AIMS honours excellence in shows staged all over the country, and Ballinrobe Musical Society chairman Pat McGovern described the awards as ‘a real boost for everyone involved with the society’.
“We were up against a number of semi-professional groups and operatic societies with unlimited resources. Winning the Best Chorus award is the top of the tree as regards recognising the acting and singing ability of all the cast, as well the talents of the musical producer and the director,” said Mr McGovern, who said that the large cast of 100 people, aged from five up to 83, made the award all the more significant.
“To get all of those people performing at the top of their game is absolutely fantastic.”
The sell-out show, which was staged in February last, was an overwhelming success and it seems that the society members knew they were on to a winner, even during the rehearsal stages.
“There was such a buzz of excitement when we were doing the show and the feeling that we were doing something very special and because of that sense of anticipation everybody wanted to be there on the awards night,” said Mr McGovern.
“Titanic was a mammoth undertaking from all aspects. It was the biggest challenge as it was financially demanding and had a huge cast but the people responded and became deeply affected by it.”
The society is currently trying to decide what next year’s production will be but fans are assured that the standards will be maintained next year.
Mr McGovern also thanked the Ballinrobe community, who helped in all aspects of the production. “This is their award as well. Without the support and sponsorship we could not have done it,” added Pat.
The society were also nominated for the Best Musical Director (Noel Kirrane), Spirit of AIMS for Best Set and the Best Male Singer (Seán Costello).
The society also paid tribute to another member of the Society – Michael Coen – who won the Best Male Actor award for his depiction of Henry Higgins in the Patrician Musical Society, Galway, production of My Fair Lady.
