Musical society opts for traditional favourite for 2010
It was, without doubt, a difficult task for the committee of Athlone Musical Society to choose a musical for their 2010 production. After compelling tales, hilarious comedy, timeless and exciting drama in musical theatre, and not forgetting their hugely successful run of My Fair Lady, it was a case of where do we go from here, says Joan Larkin PRO for the society. As part of the decision-making process, the society considered what it thought its audiences wanted. 'Having completed a little survey during the run of My Fair Lady, it seemed audiences were looking for older shows, family shows and basically music everybody knew and what better than Gilbert and Sullivan,' says Joan. For that reason the society is pleased to announce their 2010 production is The New Pirates of Penzance. The New Pirates of Penzance is a story about Frederick, who as a child apprenticed to a band of tenderhearted orphaned pirates by his nurse Ruth, who being hard of hearing had mistaken her master"s instruction, to apprentice the boy to a pilot! After spending considerable time with the pirates, Frederick announces he"s leaving them for good to return to civilization. For today is his 21st birthday. His health is duly drunk, as the pirates held a sherry party in his honour. He gives a speech, and in it he pleads with the Pirate King to turn respectable and return to civilization. The Pirate King declines. He bids farewell to Frederick. And now Frederick is left alone with Ruth. She is now determined to have Frederick all to herself, and takes advantage of his youth and inexperience. Frederick"s not quite sure whether Ruth is beautiful or not, as he has never seen another woman. And then out of the blue , climbing over rocky mountains, 21 beautiful girls appear, all daughters of General Stanley, and so the story begins. Staging and casting responsibilities now fall on the shoulders of the newly-elected committee, where the well known Mick Keena is at the helm. The demanding and challenging role of chairperson for Athlone Musical Society is never an easy one. But according to Mick: 'A role I"ve been contemplating for a number of years now, I"m delighted to be in the chair, and looking forward to the year ahead.' Serving with him are Vice Chairman Terry Jackson, Hon Treasurers John Connolly, Trevor Lee, Hon Secretaries Aoife Connolly, Linda Murray, Business Manager Brenda Bigley, PRO Joan Larkin. Committee members, Ruth Kilduff, Emma Larkin, Alletta Brennan, Margaret Franklin, Joe Dalby, Anita O"Connor and Hilary McManus. Athlone Musical Society"s summer party will be held on Saturday, July 4 at 5pm in The Snug. Looking forward to seeing cast and crew.