by Rose Rushe
LIMERICK Musical Society has been nominated in the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) Awards in no less than four categories for the musical ‘The Witches of Eastwick’.
This they staged in March at University Concert Hall to stand-up applause, deservedly. It was almighty craic, a proper piece of salacious seduction with watchable performances all around and dance numbers to high-kick manners out of the judgemental.
Limerick Musical Society was nominated for best male actor, Dave Griffin, who was smoking as rogue Darryl Van Horne; Maire-Keary Scanlon, best musical director; Niamh Twomey, best choreographer. There was an ensemble nomination of best choral singing. As is usual, the annual award ceremony will take place in Gleneagles Hotel, Killarney on Saturday June 13.
Griffin has been 30 years acting and singing in the musical theatre sector, going from straight, demanding drama such as Ibsen and McPherson to the demanding high and low octaves of comedy, ‘Leading Ladies’ (all College Players) and hoofing it on ’42nd Street’. Talking to Limerick Post of this national push to prominence, he admits:
“I’m delighted, along with many others in Limerick Musical Society, to be included in the nominations for this year’s AIMS awards, celebrating the strength of musical theatre across the length and breadth of Ireland. ‘The Witches of Eastwick’ was a great success and the long and hard work of many – both front and back of the production – is rewarded by the acknowledgement that comes from the adjudicator.
“I’ve enjoyed being part of a great team of talented and fun loving young people and we plan to enjoy the AIMS ‘Oscars’ in Killarney on 13th June!”
Congrats to their diligent chairman, James Scanlon, more used to having paintbrush and drill in hand than a tambourine, and long-giving president/ PRO/ co-founder, Gerry Ryan.
