Moate Variety Club to stage 'fun-packed' show this week as Tops of the Town returns

Moate Variety Club is planning to deliver plenty of laughter and entertainment when its 'Tops Again' show begins a four-night run at the Carmelite Pastoral Centre this evening (Wednesday). John Julian, a founder member of the club which started some 30 years ago, said the show would be among the best he has been involved with over the years. While a Tops of the Town national competition is proposed for the coming year, the Moate club has kept the flame of Variety burning during the intervening years since the John Player Tops ceased to exist in 1997. The cast of the show is comprised of seasoned campaigners alongside a whole new group of exciting young local talent that has been developed through the Moate Performing and Visual Arts Centre by Dancezone Stage School and Moate Youth Theatre. The two-hour performance is suitable for all age groups and will feature topical humour, song, dance, and recitation. "It's a family-friendly show which is quite funny and very glitzy," he said. "It's also very melodic and the cast have been doing a lot of work on their vocal harmonies." Preparations for the show began in August and up to 35 people will be on stage each night. "There is a little bit of social comment on issues like emigration and politics, so the humour is quite topical but still clean, which can be a tough balance to strike!" John devised and produces the show, while his daughter Sandra is choreographer. Kevin Carroll is the musical director, Derek Claffey is the lighting manager, Nuala McDermott and Mossie Collins are stage managers and Dominique Foley is in charge of artistic design. The show gets underway at 8pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tickets, priced €10, are currently available from several outlets in Moate such as the Carmelite shop, Gillivan Bros, Harten's, Marie's, News 4 U and Galvin's.