Ballinrobe put on another great show

JAIL BIRDS?Chad (Louis Brennan) and some of the cast of Sunday’s matinee performance by Ballinrobe Musical Society of ‘All Shook Up’.?Pic: Elizabeth Toher

Ballinrobe put on another great show


Standing ovation marks start of ‘All Shook Up’

Review
Mike Finnerty

JUDGING by their brilliant opening night performance of ‘All Shook Up’ on Sunday, fans of Ballinrobe Musical Society are in for a real treat again this year.
A standing ovation from an appreciative audience spoke volumes for the evening’s entertainment as the award-winning South Mayo society put on a great show.
It was telling that patrons of all ages left the Ballinrobe Community School auditorium with a spring in their step and smiles on their faces after being treated to just over ninety minutes of Elvis Presley classics.
‘All Shook Up’ is a jukebox musical that is designed to entertain and enthrall in equal measure, and the talented Ballinrobe Society cast put their own stamp on it from the get-go.
On a cold Spring evening, we were transported to Mid West America in the 1950s as the music of Elvis and the writing of William Shakespeare fused to create a rip-roaring production.
From the opening strains of ‘Jailhouse Rock’ to the final notes of ‘Burning Love’ this show clips along at pace, with all the customary efficiency and impressiveness that you would associate with a Ballinrobe Musical Society production.
There were very impressive individual displays from Tuam duo Louis Brennan (Chad) and Emer Kelly (Natalie) who filled the principal roles with aplomb.
Brennan’s stage presence, comic timing and Presley-esque delivery (not to mention his six-pack) went down a bomb with the audience as he banged on the hits with style.
Kelly also showed herself to be a very capable lead.
Another new arrival to make a big impression on his Ballinrobe Society debut was Athlone native Jamie Dockery (Dennis) who stole a plethora of scenes.
The same can be said of local teenager Alison Madden (Lorraine) who belied her tender years with a confident and assured performance, as she nailed every note all evening.
Her interaction with John Byrne (Dean) from Partry is also worth noting as they made an effective partnership.
Society stalwart Niall Conway (Jim) once again showcased his ability to play diverse characters with an effortless shift that was as funny as it was believable.
Laura Rochford (Sylvia) marked her return to the stage with the Society in style, singing beautifully, acting passionately, and dovetailing neatly with Conway all through.
And speaking of passion, Liz Parsons (Miss Sandra) wins the award for ‘Sultry Siren of the Society’ hands-down for her wonderful portrayal of one of the show’s star principals.
Parsons threw herself into her role brilliantly and sparked off her cast members with great effect.
Another one of the real highlights for this member of the audience was the ‘double act’ of SiobhΡn Campbell (Mayor Matilda Hyde) and Pat McGovern (Sherriff Earl).
Pairing the experienced duo up was a great call and the sight of them locking lips in Act 2 will surely go down as one of the all-time memorable moments in the Society’s history!
Others to catch our eye in the huge chorus were the Conroy brothers, John and Michael, Martin Farragher and Mike Ansbro who sang and danced and jived and waltzed to their heart’s content all night.
Great credit too must go to the show’s Directors, Brian and SeΡn Power, Musical Director, Finola Higgins-Cosgrove, Choreographer, Aoife McClafferty, Scenic Artist, Karen Forde, Stage Manager, John O’Shea, and all who pulled together to bring this production to life.
The orchestra also played a key part in making the opening night such a success.
All concerned (both on the stage and behind the scenes) hit the ground running in style and there were none of the issues that are sometimes associated with ‘first night’ shows.
The evening started with a warm welcome from Mary O’Connor at the Box Office and familiar faces like SeΡn Costello, Patsy Murphy, Noel Ansbro and James Golden present and correct at ‘Front of House’.
Their attention-to-detail set the tone for a really enjoyable evening and, as usual, the cast and crew delivered the goods.
You read it here first — Ballinrobe Musical Society have done it again and we can only assume that AIMS President, Olive Melville, who was in the audience, was nothing if not impressed too.
‘All Shook Up’ runs up to (and including) next Saturday night, February 21. All shows begin at 8pm.