Musical Society prepares for 120th anniversary production

The countdown has officially begun to Athlone Musical Society’s 120th anniversary production and the excitement is building ahead of the performance of All Shook Up over the June Bank Holiday weekend.

The society was founded in 1902, featuring such shows as 'The Mikado' and 'The Pirates of Penzance' in 1907 and 1908. After World War Two, the society produced and staged musicals every year up until 2020, when it staged “Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. The show was an enormous success, winning four awards at the annual AIMS awards ceremony, including Best Director for Alfie Kilduff and Best Overall Show.

From that highpoint came the onset of the pandemic. It was not possible to produce and stage a show in 2021 and the musical society said it is so exciting to be finally getting back on stage and bringing a fabulous production to the Dean Crowe Theatre this June Bank Holiday weekend.

Speaking about the show, Chairperson Joan Larkin said: “We are so thrilled to be once more able to stage our production and get musical theatre back to audiences. We have turned the page and are asking the people of Athlone to once again come out and support the Society by coming to our show. We could not have done this without our fantastic patrons and sponsors who have continued to give us generous support.

“The local business community are themselves faced with significant challenges following the pandemic and their unwavering support is very much appreciated.”

Joan continued: “The society sadly lost a number of members over the course of the past two years, and we are remembering them and their contributions to the society down the years as we bring this year’s production to stage.”

Each year AIMS present an “Unsung Hero” award to a person who goes above and beyond in their work for their society or is a long-term member committed to the society.

Nominees for the “Unsung Hero” award are stalwarts of their societies. Athlone Musical Society’s 2022 nominee, Olive Martin, is no exception. Olive joined the society in 1979 as a young girl and joined in the chorus of the society’s production of “Oklahoma”. It was in the society that she met the love of her life Tommy Martin who very sadly passed away in November 2020 and is fondly remembered. Olive is in her 43rd consecutive year with the society, having worked in various roles down the years and the society believes she is a worthy recipient of the Unsung Hero award.

"We thank her for her continuous commitment to the society and wish her the best of luck in her nomination," Ms Larkin said.

All Shook Up was first performed by Athlone Musical Society in 2012 and now Elvis has dusted off his blue suede shows and is back in town! The musical brings us to 1955, when - into a square little town in a square little state - rides a guitar-playing roustabout who changes everything and everyone he meets. It’s a hip-swiveling, lip-curling musical fantasy that’ll have you jumpin’ out of your blue suede shoes with such classics as “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Jailhouse Rock” and “Don’t Be Cruel.” This light-hearted, energetic and optimistic musical is a perfect way to spend a couple of hours with friends or family.

Joan finishes by saying: “We have been waiting for this moment for the past two years. When the curtain raises on June 3, we look forward to seeing audiences enjoying the results of the months of hard work and preparation that Athlone Musical Society’s cast crew and committee have put in. We guarantee they will not be disappointed!”

The production runs over the Bank Holiday weekend in June, from Friday, June 3, at 8pm. This year has the addition of two matinee performances, on Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5, at 2.30pm, which is perfect for families or visiting tourists to the town. The final show is on Monday, June 6, at 5pm.

Tickets can be booked through the Dean Crowe Theatre booking office on 090 6492129, which opens each day at 10.30am or online at deancrowetheatre.com. Keep an eye on Facebook and Instagram pages Athlone Musical Society, for updates.