Ballinrobe musical a hit

Another professional hit


Ballinrobe musical gets tremendous reception on opening nights of revised world premiere

Review
Mike Finnerty

A STANDING ovation brought the curtain down on Sunday night’s performance of ‘Come The Dawn’ as Ballinrobe Musical Society picked up where they had left off twelve months earlier.
After the award-winning success of ‘The Pirate Queen’ in 2010 comes another impressive production; one that bristles with passion and intensity, and gives a fascinating insight into how both sides of the Northern Ireland divide lived and loved during ‘The Troubles’.
The talented cast, not to mention backroom team, have taken Peter Kennedy’s creation and brought it to life in their own inimitable style. The large crowd sat spellbound as we were transported to Belfast in the bad, old days and given a glimpse into another world courtesy of Karen Forde’s scenic art work.
For almost three hours the 65-strong cast treated us to a smorgasbord of singing, dancing, fighting and some superb acting (the Fair City crew could certainly learn a thing or too from the likes of John Murphy and Padraic Costello).
To say that Ballinrobe Musical Society have pushed back the boundaries for an amateur group in recent years would be something of an understatement.
On the evidence of this year’s production, their enthusiasm, professionalism, and ability to turn their hand to any show, from any genre, shows no sign of abating.
There were times last Sunday evening when it genuinely felt like we had been transported to Northern Ireland in the 1970s.
The costumes, accents, setting, and mood were as authentic as they were believable, and no effort was spared to convince us of the seriousness of the situation.
For this writer there were a number of highlights; veteran principle characters like Michael Coen, Richard Crumlish, Sinead Heneghan, Seamus Cafferkey and Niall Conway led by example once again.
The acting performances of all five were especially noteworthy and Coen, in particular, cut an imposing figure as he strode through scene after scene as an authentic ‘bad cop’.
Newcomers like Paula O’Neill, Alan Greaney, Donna Ruane and Enda Gill also made quite an impression and all four dove-tailed neatly with the more familiar faces.
Seasoned pros like SiobhΡn Campbell, Ann Kirrane and Walter Donoghue didn’t put a foot wrong either.
This year’s production also sees the likes of Liz Parsons, John Murphy and Padraic Costello in more prominent roles and the trio stepped up to the mark in fine style.
Costello’s performance as a ‘thug’ was genuinely frightening at times while Murphy’s portrayal of an unstable, trigger-happy ‘heavy’ also marked him out from the crowd.
The chorus also deserve special mention this year. On a number of occasions during a show that packs an awful lot into its running time, they kept things moving.
From battle-cries  to haunting hymns to good-old fashioned sing-songs, the supporting cast were not found wanting and didn’t fluff a line.
Some of the most experienced cast members (Eugene O’Malley, Noel Ansbro, Tony Walkin and Luke O’Malley) also provided some light relief with their shenanigans in the dark corners of Belfast watering-holes!
In summary, if it’s entertainment you want, in a week when the election will be dominating the airwaves and TV screens, then look no further than Ballinrobe Community School.
This production is a credit to all concerned, and it’s obvious that months of preparation have gone in behind-the-scenes to ensure the finished product is ‘amateur’ in name only.
Society Chairman, Pat McGovern, has assembled a hard-working committee and an army of volunteers ensured that everything (from Front of House to dramatic explosions) ran like clockwork.
The show runs until Saturday night next, February 26, and our advice is to book your tickets quickly to avoid disappointment.
Oh, and keep an eye out for the helicopter!

Box office
Tickets are on sale now from Sean Costello,
Abbey Street, Ballinrobe on 094 9541405. The box office is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

Congratulations
Tina Cave, Louisburgh
was the winner of our
Come The Dawn
competition and wins
two tickets to the show