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September 2010
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Mick Lally Passes On To That Other Theatre

The Late Mick Lally

Mick Lally, probably best known for playing Miley Byrne, latter for which he won a Jacob’s Award in 1979, passed away this morning after a short stay in hospital, at the age of 64.

Born in November 1945 in Tourmakeady, Co Mayo, Mick was the eldest of a family of seven children; five sisters and one brother. He was educated at the local national school in Tourmakeady and went from there to St Mary’s College in Galway. He later studied History and Irish at UCG going on in 1969 to teach History and Irish in Tuam for approximately six years.

This Mayo born teacher, later turned actor appeared in numerous TV shows including ‘Glenroe’, ‘Ballykissangel’, ‘Bracken’, and the ‘Ballroom of Romance’. He also featured in Oliver Stone’s ‘Alexander’, ‘Ros na Rún’ and ‘The Secret of Kells’ and was also cast in Tyrone born Brian Friel‘s ‘Translations’ back in 1980. He went on to become a member of the Field Day Theatre Company and co-founder of the much lauded Druid Theatre Company with Garry Hynes and Marie Mullen, as well as treading the boards in many of John Millington Synge‘s plays.

No stranger to Thurles town, Mick regularly appeared at the Source Arts Centre where in recent months he performed opposite his Westmeath born and ‘Glenroe’ co-star Mary McEvoy in J.B. Keane’s ‘The Matchmaker’ and with George McMahon in ‘Caught in the Net’.

A fluent speaker of the Irish language, Mick confessed and classified himself as an atheist and regarded religion as the stuff of nonsense and “codology”, but his love of studying local characters and his passion for all things Irish was for ever evident in his unique stage performances.

In July last he launched ‘Tuar Mhic Éadaigh: Stair agus Seanchas’, a new book on the history and folklore of the Tourmakeady area by Fr Pádraig Standun.

One of Irelands most loved actors of his generation, Mick will be dearly missed by the public and by his many colleagues both in theatre and television. His national and international reputation truely earned him the deserved status of an icon of Irish theatre.

Thurles would like to express their sympathy to his wife Peige, their children Saileog, Maghnus and Darach and to his parents.

Spring Awakening Irish Premiere In The Helix

Spring Awakening comes to The Helix September 16th to 25th

Described by many critics and writers as the musical that will define this generation, the groundbreaking ‘Spring Awakening’ is merely weeks away from its highly anticipated Irish premiere in the Helix Theatre in Dublin.

National Youth Musical Theatre will present Spring Awakening from September 16th to 25th with director John Donnelly at the helm of what promises to be one of the definitive Irish musical experiences of the year.

Winner of 8 Tony Awards on Broadway, including best new musical, Spring Awakening won the 2010 West End musical of the year and has thrilled audiences and critics alike, the world over.

Set in 1890’s Germany, but with a contemporary rock soundtrack, Spring Awakening is like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

Featuring a cast of the most talented young performers in Ireland, including Thurles’ own Shane Willoughby, whom audiences will know from his performances with Phoenix Productions, Thurles Musical Society and Vincé Productions.

This is one show true music lovers in Tipperary really can’t afford to miss.

As stated, Spring Awakening runs from the 16th to the 25th of September 2010 at the Helix DCU. Tickets are on sale now priced at €20 from the Helix box office, Tel:(01) 700 7000 or visit the Helix online here

Note: There are also a limited number of on-stage seats available for every performance at just €15.

Tipp FM – We Are Family

Tipperary’s No1 Radio Station Tipp FM are about to run a family style poster campaign in Tipperary to draw attention to its acknowledged market share of 55.3 per cent.

Tipp FM hold the highest market share of any local radio station in Ireland with the exception of Highland Radio broadcasting from Co.Donegal.

The idea for the family promotional logo originated within the Tipp FM family and Louisa Jane Condon has gone on to developed the ‘We are family’ theme drawing.

However, promotional logo or no, Tipp FM’s success in the ratings is no secret, its simply good informative down to earth easy listening.

Win A Tony Hawk Ride Game And Wireless Sony PS3 Skateboard

We promised you a fantastic prize for our July competition and “boys o boys” have we delivered. Gamers rejoice and be glad, this is one competition you’re not going to want to miss.

Thanks to our good friends over at Ireland’s No.1 Video Game Website, we have one copy of Tony Hawk: Ride to give away for your PlayStation3 console.

In ‘Ride’ the player uses the unique skateboard peripheral to simulate riding an actual skateboard in the game. The wireless peripheral, shaped just like a real skateboard, is equipped with infrared sensors to detect motion and display it on-screen. Turning, leaning, hopping, and other actions all reflect in the game realistically.

We have a copy of the game and the skateboard peripheral to give away to just one lucky winner. Entering is easy, go to Top Right Hand Side of our home page, answer the simple question, add your Email address to enable us to contact the winner, add 2+2 and Submit.  It could not be simpler.

Our computer will select the winner on 14th August next so best of luck to all our competitors.

*Note: All participants must reside in County Tipperary and must be able to pickup the prize themselves if they are selected as the winner.

Please Phoenix Productions, Can We Have Some More?

Oliver

Following last February’s sell out cabaret in The Source Theatre, Phoenix Productions here in Thurles are already hard at work on their next project, the timeless classic that is ‘Oliver’.

It’s been some eleven odd years since Lionel Bart’s famous musical adaptation of the Dickens’s classic ‘Oliver Twist’ last played to Thurles audiences and it has been greatly missed.

Oliver’ will take to the stage  in the Premier Hall, Thurles, this August 4th to the 8th and sees the stalwart cast of teenagers and young adults of Phoenix joined for the very first time by a new upcoming group of young performers who will make up the infamous pickpocket’s of Fagin’s gang.

Oliver will be Phoenix’s twelve musical production in the town and follows on from successful recital’s of ‘The Hot Mikado‘, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar‘, ‘Guys and Dolls‘, ‘High School Musical‘ and ‘Seussical The Musical‘ to name but just a few.

The lead rolls for this show have been cast as follows:-

Olivers: Gavin Murphy and Philip Ryan – Artful Dodgers: Darren O’Sullivan and Darragh Byrne – Nancy: Katie Lawless

Fagin: Frank Tuohy – Bill Sykes: Jack Rossiter – Mr. Bumble: Shane Willoughby – Widow Corney: Deirdre Ryan

Mr. Sowerberry: Graham Maher – Mrs. Sowerberry: Emma Jane Purcell - Noah Claypole: Nathan Carroll – Charlotte: Fiona O’Sullivan.

Tickets for this timeless classic will be available from the middle of this month, so make sure you book early folks because we  forecast, this one is going to be a definite sell out.

Daniel Takes Home The World Cup

Huge congratulations to Daniel Cantwell, of Cantwell Quality Water Services, the May winner of our 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Nintendo Wii competition kindly sponsored by Ireland’s leading video game website, TheGamingLiberty.com.

Pictured here is TGL’s Shane Willoughby with the President of Thurles Chamber Mr Pat Hayes presenting Daniel with his prize.

Let’s hope Daniel can win the World Cup for Ireland this Summer because God knows he’s the only chance we Irish now have.
Meanwhile, watch this site folks, because in the coming weeks, have we got some prize for you.?

Details will be announced shortly.

Phoenix Productions - Songs of David Friedman

Phoenix Productions will present “Listen To My Heart: The Songs of David Friedman,”  for two nights on 29th and 30th May 2010.

The Source - May 29th and 30th

In preparation for their forthcoming 2010 Summer Production – the timeless classic that is ‘Oliver’, Phoenix Productions will take to the stage of  The Source in May for two unique performances of ‘Listen to My Heart: The Songs of David Friedman’.

Directed by Gerard O’Brien and accompanied by Internationally renowned musical director David Wray, (Latter founder member of Music Theatre Ireland)  ‘Listen to My Heart’ sees this company stripped down to just five voices familiar to Thurles audiences from Phoenix Productions and Thurles Musical Society; Michelle O’Connell, Maria Griffin, Deirdre Ryan, Clifford Killeen and Shane Willoughby.

‘Listen To My Heart’ is a musical written from the heart, addressing universal issues that chronicle all the lives, loves and losses of our modern world.

The first performance of its kind here in Thurles, ‘Listen to My Heart‘ takes you on a musical journey that will lift your spirits and sooth your soul.

Tickets are very affordable, priced at €10 and €12 for students and adults respectively.

Warning: As with previous performances from this company, both these nights are guaranteed to be a sell out, so please do not be disappointed.

Booking: Contact The Source direct by clicking here or email boxoffice@sourcearts.ie

Silent Disco At HQ NightClub Thurles Saturday Next

Here comes the “Smirnoff Be There Festival” experience!

If you’re the type of festival-head who can’t wait for Summer, then the “Smirnoff Be There Festival” is just for you. This event packs everyone’s outdoor festival favourites into one place and all under one roof. It’s a festival with a big difference. Now everyone gets to enjoy a taste of the festival in their favourite HQ nightclub, Thurles, and it’s all on one amazing night Saturday, Saturday15th May .

Centre-stage at every “Smirnoff Be There Festival” is the fabulous Silent Disco but, like the best festivals, it’s not just about the music.

Special “Smirnoff Be There Festival” staff will be on hand to distribute some very cool festival goodies including ponchos, sunglasses, bags and glowbands.

Smirnoff Festival-goers can add to the atmosphere and really make it a night to remember by dressing up and arriving in festival friendly gear. e.g. Wellies, Hats and Anoraks are all very welcome!

See you at HQ Folks

Health Warning - The Irish Canon (Abridged)

The Irish Canon (Abridged) comes on stage in The Source Arts Theatre, Thurles, on Thursday night next, 29th April,at 8.00pm, and is an absolute must for all involved with drama groups of all ages in Tipperary.

Completely and unashamedly abridged, watch The Irish Canon flash before your eyes dragging Irish plays kicking and screaming into the future.

This show is a high-speed roller-coaster type compression or condensation, and is carries a strict health warning. “If you suffer from  bladder problems, inner-ear disorders, heart ailments and/or you are inclined to motion sickness,” best to give it a miss.

From the pen of very talented writers, The Irish Canon (Abridged) sees Irish Theatre of the last century condensed down to a rip-roaring 10 plays, 70 characters, and 3 actors all in the spate of one hour.

The stage will come alive with Irish figures who have dominated theatrical circles for over a century. Names like Kathleen Ni Houlihan, Christy Mahon, Bessie Burgess, the Bull MacCabe and many, many more, will grace the stage in quick succession, running breathlessly through iconic Irish theatre and unfurling into what can only be described as sheer mad comic chaos.

The result is a show that’s crammed with culture, comedy and hilarious hysterics. One of the funniest performances you will catch this season!

Don’t miss three actors hurtling themselves headlong through the most famous Irish plays ever written. On second thoughts, forget the health warning,I don’t know of anyone who died laughing.

Book now through the box office: Tel – 0504-90204 Tickets only €10

Phoenix Productions Caberet Set For Two Packed Performances

Phoenix Performer Deidre Ryan

Phoenix Performer Shane Willoughby

The guys and gals of Phoenix Productions have a little something special in store for their followers this weekend when they take to the stage in The Source for their annual fundraising cabaret.

This year’s ‘Heart and Music’ will see fifty or so of Thurles’ ever so talented youngsters take to the stage in what promises to be one of Phoenix’s most diverse and contemporary cabaret set lists yet.

All the big hitters are in here this year, the Michael Buble’s, Michael Jackson’s and the Abba’s are all there, as too are more of the stalwart musicals we’ve come to expect from Phoenix Productions,e.g. Chicago, Beauty and the Beast and ‘Heart and Music’s’ shared namesake, the classic musical, Cabaret with the superb renditions we have come to expect from Deidre Ryan, Shane Willoughby, and Garry Butler, to name but a very few.

Despite recessionary times, this will be a sell out folks with only a small number of tickets still available. (This statement is true, there is no sales pitch intended here folks, so to avoid disappointment don’t wait for the night, we’ve warned you.)

These tickets can be booked online or in the Source booking office for both the Friday and Saturday performances right now and will set you back all of €10, a measly sum for the kind of high quality performers that will be on stage.

With musical direction by David Wray and production by Gerard O’Brien you are guaranteed a polished, professional and enjoyable performance.

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