A magical performance of Snow White and Friends
"What you have up there is magic." These are the words of John McGlynn, who is producing the upcoming performance of 'Snow White and Friends' by service users of Rehabcare and St Hilda's, as he describes what people can expect from the show.
Every Friday morning, 50 service users are rehearsing for the show, which will take to the stage at the end of November. And it's easy to feel a little bit of that magic in the air as the group meets at the theatre, with hugs, smiles and laughter aplenty as they wait to take to the stage.
There is a huge social aspect to the Friday morning meet-up, as groups from Rehabcare and a number of St Hilda's hubs gather at the theatre and exchange news before they take to the stage, where they step through rehearsals under the guidance of director Aishling Fennell, who speaks about the show here
Last Friday morning, some freshly-printed flyers advertising the panto didn't last long on the desk at the Dean Crowe Theatre as the first group of service users were eager to get their hands on them, such is the excitement in anticipation of next month's show.
Many stopped at the desk for a chat with John, filling him in on their week, their plans for that day on stage, and he was even quizzed about who will be voting for in the presidential election, as they made their way through for a busy morning of rehearsals.
The group, which performs under the name 'One Tribe' was formed about eight years ago and held a number of variety shows at the theatre pre-Covid. However, the annual performance had stopped during Covid, and when John became manager of the Dean Crowe Theatre in January last year, Aisling approached him about getting the group back on stage.
"When I heard about it, I thought we have to bring that back and we came up with the title 'One Tribe Back for Good'. We got t-shirts all made up and it was fantastic. We did a variety concert last year - there was singing, dancing, ukulele playing, and I was absolutely blown away by some of the voices, they wouldn't be out of place in the Athlone Musical Society," said John.
And while the group has held variety concerts in the past, this will be the first panto One Tribe has staged. Since September, the group members have been working on their singing and dancing, and in the last couple of weeks they started auditions for the speaking roles.
After last year's show, John and Aisling discussed the possibility of doing something different and because the show is held in the run-up to Christmas they decided on a panto. The script was provided by Rob Murphy, and Sandy Hughes is responsible for costumes and set design.
Speaking about what the next few weeks of rehearsals entails, John explained: "From now on we're sorting out who has got lines, who's playing what parts etc."
As well as producing the panto, John will also be taking to the stage alongside the performers.
"I have the privilege of being on stage this year with them in some small capacity, as the dame in the panto," he said.
Throughout the year, the group meets on the last Friday of the month at the Dean Crowe for a movie morning, but come September this becomes weekly for rehearsals. John said that in the week leading up to the panto the rehearsals will become daily and take precedence over all other activities for the performers.
"I've heard many of the service users say it's their favourite part of the week, and I have to say it is most definitely my favourite part of the week. It's just great fun, there's great joy, great love in the room, great craic and camaraderie from them all. It's one of those things that you can't help but have a smile on your face when you're involved," said John.
One Tribe's performance of 'Snow White and Friends' can be seen at the Dean Crowe Theatre on Friday, November 28, at 7.30pm, with doors opening from 6.30pm. Tickets can be purchased at the theatre or online at www.deancrowetheatre.com.