This article is from page 29 of the 2007-03-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 29 JPG
AN invading Japanese Army will descend on the old FCA barracks of Slough Hall in Lahinch next week. Fear not however, this merry army comes not to fight and kill but in- stead to sing and dance.
The Ennistymon Choral Society will stage Gilbert and Sullivan’s M1- kado from March 22 to 25 and this years production promises to be one of the best in recent year. This is the third time in its 34 year history that the society will perform the Mikado and there are some members who have been involved in all three pro- ductions.
The group was founded by Fr Ned Crosbie in 1974 and their first pro- duction was HMS Pinafore.
“The group has been going bril- liantly ever since. There is so much talent in the group. Our catch- ment area goes from Ballyvaughan down to Miltown and over as far as Corofin,” said one of the organisers.
‘This whole area is so rich in mu- sic and the quality of the singers is fantastic. When we can produce a full Gilbert and Sullivan musical from within our own ranks it is re- ally amazing. And the young singers just keep coming and coming, we are really blessed with a lot of talent and dedication.”
Getting young people involved in musicals is one of the main aims of the society and they work with hun- dreds of local young people each year, sharing with them the joy of music and acting on stage.
“We encourage the school and young people to get involved. We run an art competition for all the local schools and exhibit their work during the production. They come in then for the matinee and they love it. We also have several transition years in out society from the Christian Broth- ers, the Vocational School and the Convent,’ she continued.
Mikado tells the story of Ko-ko (James Barry), a young man who is condemned to death for flirting but is reprieved only to become the lord high executioner. He wants to marry Yum-Yum (Grainne Curtin) but a strolling minstrel comes along and falls in love with her. This minstrel is Nanki-Poo (Michael McCormack), who is also the son of the Mikado (Mark Wright).
“It is a hilarious comedy, it has a ri- diculous plot like all Gilbert and Sul- livan shows. They are as improbably as fairy tales and a lot more fun,’ she continued. “The music is gorgeous and we sing every note which is very unusual for a local society. We have always had all our own principles and we sing every single note on the Ne) Kone
For more information or to book tickets contact 7071828.