The 50 years old Thurles Drama Group were accorded a very enthusiastic standing ovation at the conclusion of Conor McPhearson’s “The Seafarer”, in a packed St. Michael’s Community Centre Holycross, last week.
It was a truly sterling and hugely entertaining production that last Sunday night saw them scoop the awards for Best Production (The Tipp FM Trophy) presented by Geraldine O’Neill to Johnny Fogarty; Best Tipperary Play (Dr. Morris Cup), Most Entertaining Play (Hannifin Trophy) and Best Producer (Frank Gleeson Award) to Margaret McCormack Purcell.
Picture Courtesy Thurles Drama Group
The Tipperary Star cup for Best Play in the Confined Category went to Harvest Moon (“God of Carnage”) and Stephen Gleeson of the Tipperary Star was present.
Thurles, who have appeared in eight All-Irelands at Athlone had qualified for this year’s All-Ireland also in Athlone, with four festival wins achieved before Holycross. And this may not be the end of the Thurles success story. The national finals will be held in late April or early May.
The nine top groups who competed were from as far away as Lifford in Donegal and Rossmore in West Cork and a number of top thespians with professional experience were present in the audience including a member of RTE’s “The Offenders” from Cobh.
So also were many faithful festival fans from all over Tipperary and further afield. Festival Director for the last 40 years, Mr Donal Duggan, paid tribute to these great amateur theatre folk for their dedication; people he said who all have jobs to go to in the mornings after the show and after along journey for many miles through the nights and mornings for months from October onwards.
The Festival committee in Holycross also had dedicated much time and effort into organizing this wonderful festival the only one of its kind in County Tipperary. The Adjudicator, whose insightful remarks were appreciated by discerning and theatre loving audiences, was Mr Peter O’Driscoll. He was an actor, designer, and director with Strand Players and many other companies.
The hard working committee, who deserve to be congratulated on their trojan efforts, comprised of Very Rev. Celsus Tierney (President), Donal Duggan (Festival Director), Tommy Lanigan (Chairman), Claire Ryan (Secretary), Maudie Bourke and Tommy Lanigan (Joint Treasurers), Geraldine O Neill (PRO), Marty O’Neill and Ger O’Dwyer (sponsorship), Diana Lacey (Raffle), Marty O’Neill and Paddy Connolly (Technical), and Marie Spillane, Peg Ryan Elaine O’Dwyer, Andy Slattery (Committee).
The Sub Committee comprised of Jack Henchion, John Glasheen, Aishling Henchion, Gerry Kennedy, Derek Doherty and Jim Fin.
The popular festival continues to attract many loyal fans and also new faces including Presentation Thurles secondary school teacher Deborah Harty.
What Splendid entertainment we had in the picturesque village from Ireland’s top theatre groups performing top plays from tragedy to comedy.
It is also a great social occasion when friendships are formed or renewed. It is one of the most convivial occasions of the year and, of course, the tea breaks and Diana Lacey’s raffles for splendid prizes are all an integral part of the occasion always.
The large attendances included Archbishop (Emeritus) Dermot Clifford, a faithful festival fan, Denis Carroll Clonoulty, Tom Purcell Littleton, Josephine O’ Gorman Thurles, Mary Moore Thurles, Pat Maher Freighduff Cashel, Nora Maher Thurles, Martin Fitzgerald Holycross, Michael and Mary Blake Thurles, John Quinlan and friends Moyne, Comedian Tim Curran Thurles, top actresses Patricia Lowry and Jacqui Lacey Thurles and Cashel.
Other Awards. GALLAGHER AWARD – for most promising actor/actress – Siobhain Corcoran Helen (“The Cripple of Inishmaan”). BEST SET OVERALL- Josie Slattery Award – (“Blithe Spirit”): Kilmeen D.G. BEST LIGHTING: – Declan McCarthy – (“The Father”): Brideview D.G. BEST SOUND: – Zara Holmes – (“When Elephants Collide”): Lifford Players. 1st ADJUDICATOR AWARD: – For Live Music – (“Playboy of the Western World”): Hinterland. 2nd ADJUDICATOR AWARD : – Allison Murphy as the Maid – (”Blithe Spirit”): Kilmeen.
Thurles Musical Society(TMS) is all set to stage the hit show ‘Made in Dagenham’, which opens in the Premier Hall, Thurles on Tuesday evening next, March 28th, and runs until Saturday April 1st.
Three years after it had been originally billed, this brilliant show, (latter centred around a strike in the Ford factory in Dagenham in Essex, London, dramatizing the Ford sewing machinists strike of 1968, and aimed at obtaining equal pay for women), is all set for the stage, with Director Oliver Hurley having collaborated with Musical Director Mary Rose McNally and Dance Captain Siobhan King, to bring this stunning piece of theatre to life.
TMS had originally planned to stage this show in 2020, but Covid 19 put paid to their plans. Thankfully the majority of the cast and chorus has returned for this run, with a number of notable additions as well. In fact, almost a cast of sixty will don costume for the show, bookings for which can be made through Gr8events.ie or at Bookworm, Thurles from Thursday March 23rd – Saturday 25th, between 11:00am-2:00pm.
There is huge interest in this production locally and it is anticipated that many regular show goers will travel from distance to enjoy what is still, a relatively new show. Patrons are encouraged to book tickets early, so as to secure the seat you wish to have.
Among the main role players are Fiona Delaney(Rita), John Hayes(Eddie) – (John is also joined on stage by his children Éanna and Fiadh) – Brendan Bailey(Harold Wilson), Linda Ryan(Barbara Castle), Barry Derby(Monty), Frank Tuohy(Tooley), Peter Donnelly(Barry), Therese Murphy(Sandra), Mary Callanan(Beryl), Denise King(Claire), Siobhan King(Cass), Nina Scott(Connie), John Butler(Mr Hopkins), Cole Flanagan(Cortina Man) and Deirdre Hayes (Lisa). There are also roles for Geraint Fyler, Peter Stockborough, Finbarr Shelly and Gerard O’Hagan – it is indeed a big cast.
The set and stage are in the final throes of preparation by Anthony Kirby(Stage Manager), Rita Dempsey (Stage Director) and their teams, while the orchestra members under the guidance of Mary Rose McNally are also fine tuning their work.
In total, there will be well over 100 people involved in this production– a real community event and Thurles Musical Society is most appreciative of all the support received so far. Anyone wishing to submit subscriptions or patronage would be very welcome to do so – simply place your sub into an envelope and address to Thurles Musical Society, Hickey’s Pharmacy, Liberty Square, Thurles.
So make sure to get along to the Premier Hall next week and witness a great piece of local theatre right on your doorstep.
[Prepared to be entertained, but please note the show does contain some strong language.]
Israeli actor, singer, and illustrator, Chaim Topol (also spelled Haym Topol), sadly passed away yesterday, March 8th, 2023, aged 87 years.
Mononymously known to most people as Topol, he is possibly best known for his portrayal of the character ‘Tevye’, in the musical ‘Fiddler on the Roof’.
He was a founder of ‘Variety Israel’, latter an organization serving children with special needs, and ‘Jordan River Village’, a year-round camp for Arab and Jewish children with life-threatening illnesses.
In 1956 he married Ms Galia Finkelstein, with the couple having three children; one son and two daughters.
Topol’s first film appearance was in the 1961 film ‘I Like Mike’, followed by the 1963 Israeli film ‘El Dorado’. His breakthrough role came as the lead character in the 1964 film ‘Sallah Shabati’. In 1966, Topol made his English-language film debut as ‘Abou Ibn Kaqden’ in ‘Cast a Giant Shadow’.
His numerous TV appearances included ‘War and Remembrance’; ‘Queenie’; ‘The Winds of War’; ‘The House on Garibaldi Street’, and ‘The Going Up of David Lev’.
His Awards included; Kinor David Prize, (latter an Israeli cultural award), in 1964; Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer—Male, in 1964; Golden Globe for Best Actor, in 1971 and Israel Prize, in 2015, latter an award bestowed by the State of Israel, and regarded as the state’s highest cultural honour.
The Minister for Justice, Mr Simon Harris TD, has today announced the appointment of Dr. Ciarán Kissane as the new Director of Film Classification in the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO). Dr. Kissane’s appointment follows an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service.
Cinema Submissions For Classification.
Announcing the appointment Minister Harris said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Ciarán Kissane, who will bring a wealth of professional experience to this important role. The important work undertaken by the IFCO ensures that the public, and parents in particular, have a modern and dependable system of classification to enable them to make informed viewing choices for themselves and importantly for those minors for whom they are responsible.”
Speaking about his new role, Dr. Kissane said: “I am delighted to be appointed as Director of Film Classification in the Irish Film Classification Office in its centenary year. I look forward to continuing the long standing and important work of the IFCO over the next 5 years”.
The Irish Film Classification Office was established in 1923 by the Censorship of Films Act 1923. The IFCO’s role was further expanded under the Video Recordings Act 1989. The IFCO is one of the oldest agencies in the State; however it has embraced change, transparency and modernisation in recent years and will continue to evolve with Irish society.
In 2022, the IFCO received 979 cinema submissions for classification(consisting of 438 films, 8 short films and 533 trailers) and 1532 video/DVD submissions, including 20 video games rated as 18, by the Pan-European Game Information system (PEGI).
The Banshees of Inisherin Star, Thurles native and natural beauty, Ms Kerry Condon this evening, as expected, won a Bafta award for ‘Best Supporting Actress’. (After an unaired gaffe, which saw the wrong winner of the award being announced).
Thurles born and natural beauty, Ms Kerry Condon.
In accepting the award, Ms Condon thanked Director Martin McDonagh for giving her the part, and for all the parts he gave her throughout her career. “You make me so proud to be an Irish woman”, she added.
Barry Keoghan, won best supporting actor, and dedicated his award to the kids from the area that he came from, “who are dreaming to be something”.
Mr Martin McDonagh won original screenplay for “The Banshees Of Inisherin”, making it three wins in total for this dark comedy film. Receiving his award, Mr McDonagh, thanked Bafta; his fellow nominees; his production company and all those who performed in the film.
“Ms Condon, you make Thurles; County Tipperary and Ireland so proud”.
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