REVIEW: Claremorris Musical Society bring ‘Transylvania Mania’ to South Mayo with hilarious ‘Young Frankenstein’

“In CMS we do comedy well.”

The words of Claremorris Musical Society founder and chairperson, June Allison Keane, in the inaugural Mayo Annual could not have rang truer since South Mayo society began their run of the hilariously absurd ‘Young Frankenstein’ earlier this week.

In assembling what may be their most talented leading cast to date, Claremorris have arguably staged their funniest show to date.

When performers of the calibre of Nicole Scott, Mervyn Fahy, David Alexander, Mary Dempsey, and Vivienne Lee unite one stage, you are guaranteed a good show.

Through a colourful chorus, innovative direction and fine-looking set, and you are guaranteed one hell of a good show.

The key to enjoying a show like this is not to take it too seriously.

Penned by Mel Brooks, the plot sees the grandson of the famous Dr Frederick Frankenstein (David Alexander) inherit Transylvanian castle and estate belonging to his notorious late grandfather.

A man who knows everything about the human brain – and conveys it through song rather impressively – our ‘Young Frankenstein’ soon comes upon his grandfather’s laboratory.

Determined to test his knowledge to his limits, he suddenly becomes determined to replicate his grandfather’s legacy by reviving the dead.

No sooner has he arrived in Transylvania than he encounters Igor (Mervyn Fahy), Frau Blucher (Vivienne Lee) and Inga (Nicole Scott)

In their own unique way, each one of these characters were brilliant.

As our intrepid boffin Frederick Frankenstein, David Alexander was nerdy without being stiff, whose facial and body language were amusingly awkward throughout.

Those who’ve seen Nicole Scott and Vivienne Lee on stage in Claremorris and with Castlebar Musical and Dramatic Society knew what they were getting.

Vivienne Lee’s Frau Blucher gave us a growling, grimacing, slightly ghoulish gal whose laugh never ceased to draw laughter from the audience.

Nicole Scott – one of the top musical theatre performers in Mayo – was utterly delightful as the spritely, smiling and unashamedly frisky Inga. Her innuendo-laced ‘Roll In The Hay’ with the leading man was hilarious from start to finish.

We haven’t even gotten to Mervyn Fahy yet, who was just superb as the mischievous, hunch-backed, half-man-half-zombie trumpet-playing Igor.

This musical theatre veteran clearly loved every second of playing this court jester dressed like a grim reaper. The audience loved it even more. Bravo!

When all four characters were on stage together, their chemistry was superb.

Bearing a gallery of diverse facial expressions at any given time, their characters were unique, delightful and contrasted marvellously.

Our Monster was a towering, terrifying but sensitive colossus in Enda Mulchrone.

Standing at nearly seven-foot with the platform shoes on, young Mulchrone was an almighty presence on stage; funny but never too fearsome – a tough balance to strike. (The Monster’s not a bad dancer either, as it turned out).

Mary Dempsey, another experienced performer, sang and acted like a pro as the full-of-herself socialite Elizabeth.

Likewise, Ronan Egan’s soothing baritone was a lovely embellishment to his fine performance as the blind ‘Hermit’ while Gerard Scott (Inspector Kemp) and Rebecca Moriarty (Village Idiot) all drew laughs form an audience that barely stopped all evening.

A near-pure comedy with a sprinkling of horror, Young Frankenstein is innuendo-laced but never crude.

Though the plot may dance with darkness, the characters never give you cause to do anything but laugh at them.

Even our Transylvania town folk, who are wary of the very presence of a Frankenstein in their midst, are hard to dislike in their cute and colourful garments – their performance of ‘Transylvania Mania’ was a big highlight.

‘Young Frankenstein’ was a perfect fit for CMS.

Because CMS do comedy well – see that with your own eyes while you still can.

The final performance of Claremorris Musical Society’s production of Young Frankenstein takes place in Claremorris Town Hall at 8pm this evening (Saturday, February 3).