Pic Sean Curtin Press 22.
CONSIDER this stellar line up of singers and choirs for the concert ‘Movies & Musicals’ taking place at University Concert Hall this Thursday 5, 8pm. Book on www.uch.ie
The night is a one-off whack from Limerick Musical Society to platform the Mid West’s finest on stage. Look forward to the so-rare performance by ex pats from the West End, Hollie O’Donoghue/ ‘Les Miserables’ and ‘The Commitments’ and Stephen Ryan, who starred in Colin Farrell’s winning film ‘The Lobster’. Their performances will be backed by various choir combos and all on stage together.
Anticipate other crowd-pulling names familiar to those of us who thrive on musical theatre, Martin McNeilus, Aidan Fox and Niall O’Halloran.
Filling out the choral numbers and solo/ duets with LMS will be both Ennis and Shannon Musical Societies, Cecilian Musical Society, Unity Gospel Choir, Hands in Harmony choir (singing and sign language) and the choirs of multi-award winning Parteen NS and Scoil Íde NS.
Strewth. That is vocal heft on stage.
“You will love the concert,” Jacinta Florish of Limerick Musical Society assures. “I was overcome with emotion on Sunday (Oct 1) rehearsal with the quality of the singing. ‘Sunrise Sunset’ is stunning. Martin’s rendition of ‘If I were a Rich Man’ was outstanding – of course. He always is.
“It was Hollie’s ‘On my Own’ and with the chorus in ‘One Day More’ that had me going – and that was just the first half!! Hollie is singing a few solos that are very moving.”
Also pencil in ‘She Used to Be Mine’, ‘We Will Rock You’ and all choirs on stage backing a frontline of parts from Les Mis for ‘On My Own’ with Hollie and Stephen.
A man with a big voice, Niall O’Halloran has chosen ‘Anthem’ from ‘Chess’ which LMS staged brilliantly this year.
LMS former chair James Scanlon will pay tribute to his great friend, production stalwart Paddy Smyth who helped so many shows and concerts to be their best over decades. Paddy was laid to rest this summer and the Chorus will sing his favourite, ‘You Will Never Walk Alone’ from ‘Carousel’.
Emma Parkinson, chairperson of LMS for whom the show is fundraiser as well as Milford Hospice, explains that Paddy Smyth worked closely with the four musical societies and was on the national council of awards body, AIMS. “This is the first time that all four have been brought together at anytime and Paddy is the glue”.
Scenes from the programme include Shannon’s Aidan Fox with Cecilian Brian Henry goofing it up for a ‘Hairspray’ duet; Shannon’s Hazel Park/ Dorothy with ‘Home from The Wiz’ and Cecilian’s ‘America’ from ‘West Side Story’.
The tribute element of the concert to Paddy will bring in Hands in Harmony to sign with all choirs singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ from Carousel and ‘You Raise Me Up’.
James Scanlon makes the point to Limerick Post that “for many societies over the years, Paddy was the back bone of the team. Designing, building sets, gathering props and stage management. In the day and age where everyone is busy with their own lives Paddy gave his time relentlessly He was a constant presence back stage and in the warehouse for many years.
Photo: Pat Browne
“Paddy’s involvement in back stage spans from his first show ‘Oklahoma!’ with Shannon in 1977 to last year, ‘Annie get your Gun’ with LMS. It is people like Paddy who ensure the success of amateur theatre in the Mid West.”
Another professional steeped in music, stage work and choirs all her life, Stephen Ryan’s mother Susan is producing the programme; Michael Young as musical director of keys, drums and double bass. A trad group will give us their rearrangement of music from ‘Titanic’.
An enormous show with many elements and individuals, musicians and choristers and principals, pulling together in beautiful harmonies to fill Limerick’s largest professional venue.
Raffle proceeds go to Milford Hospice; tickets €20, tel. 061-331549.
