Ballinrobe Musical Society to stage the legendary 'Phantom of the Opera' in 2024

ONE of the greatest musicals in history is coming to the West of Ireland after Ballinrobe Musical Society announced the staging of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ in 2024.

The highly acclaimed show, which has run on Broadway and the West End for several decades, will be staged by the society from February 11-17.

With a spellbinding score and mesmerising technical set pieces, ‘Phantom’ rightly holds its place among the great masterpieces of musical theatre.

Scored by the legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, the show features some of the best-known songs in musical theatre, including ‘Phantom of The Opera’ and ‘The Music Of The Night’ and ‘Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again’.

Based on the novel by Gaston Leroux, the story takes place in a majestic Paris opera house inhabited by the mysterious Phantom, a mask-wearing musical genius shunned by society for a hideous facial deformity.

He takes the promising young soprano Christine under his wing to groom her for fame and success before falling deeply in love with her.

However, terror quickly unfolds when Christine instead falls for a handsome young man from her past, with the daring Phantom determined to stop at nothing to win her affections.

Staging this show has been a long-held dream for many in the Ballinrobe Musical Society and at four o’clock on February 11, that dream will finally become a reality.

Ballinrobe Musical Society Chairman Kenneth McCarthy said: “We are thrilled to stage one of all-time great shows.

“This show has been a firm favourite among many cast members over the years. We are extremely excited to stage it right here in Ballinrobe.

“2024 will mark the 50th anniversary of our society’s re-formation. We are delighted to mark this anniversary by staging this magnificent show,” continued Mr McCarthy.

“We were absolutely blown away by the reaction to Me And My Girl, which we staged earlier this year after a long three-year hiatus. Already, we are looking forward to getting back to rehearsals with Alan, Finola and Aoife this autumn.”

Mr McCarthy added: “I would also like to sincerely thank our patrons and sponsors for their continued generosity. Without their support, it would simply not be possible to stage our annual show.”

The show will be directed by Alan Greaney alongside long-time society Choreographer Aoife McClafferty, Musical Director Finola Higgins and Stage Manager Kenneth McCarthy.

Finola Higgins, Ballinrobe Musical Society’s Choral Mistress and Musical Director, said: “I’m honoured and so excited to be musical director for this phenomenal show.

“This show has the most incredible score with such songs as ‘All I Ask Of You,’ ‘Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again’ and, of course, ‘Masquerade’.

“I cannot wait to start working on this with the extremely talented cast of Ballinrobe Musical Society.”

‘The Phantom of The Opera’ held its Irish amateur premiere earlier this year when Carrick-on-Suir Musical Society staged the show after overwhelming demand for tickets.

Ballinrobe Musical Society will be announcing details for auditions and rehearsals for their annual show in the coming months.

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For more information, check out their Facebook or Instagram pages or email ballinrobemusicsociety@gmail.com.