Countdown to Athlone's All Shook Up musical

Athlone Musical Society members are in full swing, rehearsing for their up-coming show, the all-singing, all-dancing All Shook Up. The Athlone Musical Society is the oldest of its kind in Ireland and celebrates 110 years this year. In fact some local historians would dispute this and say it's a lot older. Chairman Mike Keena is asking the people of Athlone to support this great local society, as it is an important part of the community and has brought so much happiness to so many people over the years. "A production of this quality is a very expensive undertaking, and we really need Athlone people as usual to come along and enjoy a good night out while helping to keep the society going for another 110 years," said Chairman Mike Keena. The Athlone Town Council is honouring the society on its 110th anniversary year, with a Civic Reception later this month. Mayor Alan Shaw says he is delighted to be associated with the society and wishes the upcoming show a successful run. All Shook Up begins somewhere in the midwest, within a village that no one knew about, in the 1950s, Chad, a hip-swivelling, guitar-playing roustabout, is being released from prison. The warden doesn't appreciate a guy like Chad riding into town, playing his music and exciting the local women. In a nearby dreary little town, Natalie, a young mechanic, is dreaming of love and adventure. She yearns for one true love to take her away, but she doesn't realise that her best friend Denis has a secret crush on her. The sad little town is interrupted by the roar of a motorcycle: it is Chad, the most gorgeous man any of the women in this town have ever seen! Chad is in need of a mechanic and he's introduced to Natalie, who is instantly smitten and promises to fix his bike, wanting to hold him in her arms. Chad asks about any excitement in town, but he's told that excitement is outlawed under the Mayor's strict rules: no tight pants, no public kissing, and worst of all, no loud music! Chad, incensed, promises to breathe some life into this sad, little town and he touches a broken-down jukebox, and it immediately comes to life... and so does the town. The show is running from Saturday, March 3, to March 10 in the Dean Crowe Theatre * Tickets from the Theatre box office 090 6492129 or direct from the Society on 086-0279110. Golden Island Shopping Centre will also have a ticket kiosk the week prior to the show.