Congratulations to Ballinasloe Musical Society on a whopping 4 Awards at the AIMS Awards

Well done to all the cast and crew of Addams Family - The Musical on winning 4 awards at the Annual Association of Musical Societies (AIMS) Awards in Killarney on June 14th 2015. 

Take a look at Ballinasloe Musical Society bringing the house down in the Town Hall Theatre earlier this year ;-) 

Now that its all over its OK to post this. Rehearsal night. These guy's put a whole lot of trust in the stage crew.

Posted by Ballinasloe Musical Society on Friday, 20 March 2015

Addams Family Musical cast member  Brian Derrane – who played the much-loved comedic Uncle Fester –  reflects on the Addams Family experience…..

”Now that the dust has settled after bringing the house down (literally), in The Addams Family Musical, it’s time to reflect on the week just gone.

I begin with our fabulous and hard working committee (many of whom took to the stage). Your courage in choosing the show has to be admired as is your commitment and work rate. Thanks for all you have done. Without you there is no show or opportunity for us thespians, old and new, to tread the boards.

Our patrons sponsors and paying audiences deserve special mention as their continued support is vital for the financial success of the society and ensures it’s annual viability and continued existence.

To Kasia, Greg and all other photographers thanks for recording events for posterity. (Anyone who got photos taken by family and friends should tag the Musical Society facebook page in order that all photos are centrally available for download.)

What an honour it was to share the Ballinasloe stage with such a cast and crew.

From start to finish the stage crew gave us seamless scene changes and treated the packed audiences to some very special – special effects. Congrats to our set designers, painters and construction crew for giving us such a setting for the show.

Thanks also to our props dept for procuring props ensuring we had all we needed as we stepped out on stage.

We are also very blessed with our make up artists and helpers. All our volunteers gave of their time freely and their work is far from unnoticed and is certainly very much appreciated. (Particular mention to Denise and Richenda who had to keep topping up my make up between scenes throughout the shows run)

This show was stunningly visual and the hard work and miles travelled to secure costumes has to be commended.

Every musical needs a cast of many and what a group of talented people we have in the town and it’s environs.

From the oldest to the youngest, the smallest to the tallest, those of slightness and those of girth – we gathered a cast of principals and chorus of which the town should be proud. Thanks In particular to the cast members who had distances to travel. Your attendance, commitment and contribution was inspiring.

The chorus line was a fabulous mixture of age, youth, and experience. They performed with energy and enthusiasm and enhanced every scene they entered.

Gomez, our slick head of the family performed, with guise, pose and posture and delivered a beautiful cocktail of comic suaveness and toneful singing.

His beautiful wife Morticia kept the pace moving swiftly with deftly delivered lines, wonderful singing and memorable leggy dancing.

The young love interest of Wednesday and Lucas was beautifully played and Wednesdays songs were powerfully and spine chillingly delivered.

The youthful Pugsley was a treat to behold and listen to. His masochistic screams are forever etched in the psyche.

The wordless Lurch entertained with every entry and exit and his towering presence throughout and his haunting song at the shows conclusion are quite unforgettable.

Grandma’s was a study of comic genius and timing, and left many 90 year old hotties in the audience baying for more.

Mal and Alice were far from normal and treated us to some wonderful comic interludes with Alice sensuously delivering an audience favourite in the middle of the banquet scene.

We were treated to some beautiful music, lighting and sound throughout the week. Congratulations to our orchestra, sound and lights. Your contributions added significantly to the show.

Our wonderfully talented production team of Paul Norton, Shane Farrell , and Sarah Griffin teased every last move, note and step from each and every member of the cast in rehearsals that were always energetic and fun. They inspired and motivated us with their words of encouragement and direction.

To the casting triumvirate…… Thank you for casting me In the role of Fester. It was a peach of a role to get and I hope I did it justice. I very much appreciate the opportunity afforded me and the confidence you instilled with your words of encouragement.

A special word of thanks go to our fabulously receptive audiences. Your support, laughter and kind words of congratulations mean so much to all on stage. We fed voraciously off your reactions nightly which helped enhance our performances and contributed to our mutual enjoyment.

Finally a huge thank you to my wife Carol and daughter Lorna. Your continued love, support and understanding for my time-consuming hobby is very much appreciatd.

By Brian Derrane.

Ballinasloe Musical Society