by John O’Shaughnessy
Cinema critic
THE Royal Picture Show Film Festival continues this weekend until Saturday 29at No 69 O’Connell Street after a dynamic opening night on Thursday. There were joyful songs (ABBA in the mix) by Unity Gospel Choir Limerick to rev the party and the screening on of that timeless classic ‘Casablanca’, preceded by wine reception.
Included was the Made in Limerick funded short film, ‘All Washed Up’, with Johnathan Renmore (Jon Kenny, and in his youth, Liam O’Brien) as an ageing, old-school school actor, preparing for his last great performance.
Director Ivan McMahon and writer/ producer Keith Bogue were among the healthy house that nigh but filled the theatre. Paul Patton, of The Royal Project – also launched – steering committee and LCTEB attended, as did ev+a director Woodrow Kernohan, Limerick arts officer Sheila Deegan, director of Hunt Museum Dr Hugh Maguire and Mayor Michael Sheahan, who officiated.
Tonight Friday 28 sees the hit musical ‘Mamma Mia!’. A feature here is that it will be accompanied by a sing-along, in association with same Unity Gospel Choir, Limerick.
There is a surprise promised for Saturday, with one of the following: ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’, ‘When Harry Met Sally’, ‘Cabaret’, ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ and ‘Blue Jasmine’ – according to which came ahead in the audience voting poll held throughout November. All screenings at 9pm.
The Royal Picture Show manager Declan McLaughlin and PRO Patrick Hogan had the foresight to team up with Hook & Ladder Café on these three nights for an excellent dinner plus a movie deal at just €10 per person (first 33 tickets nightly, €20 thereafter).
All details on www.limerickroyal.ie and booking on tel. 061-774774 or walk up to box office.
