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’ [...]]]>

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.

Chloe’s voice, together with her calm, innocent, stage presence and pure presentation, reminiscent of top recording artist Charlotte Church (Charlotte Maria Reed) in her younger days, won over the viewing audience [...]]]> Thirteen year old Chloe Coyle, described as having the voice of an angel, has been crowned the winner of RTE’s  All-Ireland Talent show competition.

Chloe’s voice, together with her calm, innocent, stage presence and pure presentation, reminiscent of top recording artist Charlotte Church (Charlotte Maria Reed) in her younger days, won over the viewing audience to claim the competition’s top prize of €50,000. (Coincidentally, she has the same initials as Charlotte Church.)

The talented young singer from Tyrone, represented the northern end of Ireland and was mentored by former Euro-Vision winner Dana (Rosemary Scallon).

Niamh successfully topped Friday night’s public vote and regional [...]]]> If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Now after years of misfires, misfits and a mischievous turkey, Ireland has spoken and placed their 2010 Eurovision hopes and dreams in the hands of a real talent who has already tasted that sweet success that is Eurovision glory, Niamh Kavanagh.

Niamh successfully topped Friday night’s public vote and regional judging on the Late Late Show to earn her place in Oslo for what surely promises to be Ireland’s most realistic hope for Euro glory in over a decade.

The winning song ‘It’s For You’ fought off some stiff competition, but in the end, scoring maximum points, this song correctly came out the clear winner.

Eurovision purists will know Niamh from her past heroics, way back in 1993, where in a unforgettable night in Millstreet, she won over the Union with her rapturous rendition of ‘In Your Eyes’, the second of Ireland’s ’3 in a row’ Euro successes on the 1990’s.

The Dubliner, who now lives in County Antrim, surely has what it takes to drag Ireland out of the Eurovision doldrums and back to the glory days that defined the nation’s songbook in the 90’s.

Ireland holds the record for the most number of wins in the contest, having won a total of seven times, including three times in a row in 1992, 1993 and 1994.

We’re behind you all the way Niamh.

Tonight about 30 minutes ago, the HQ Nightclub web site ( www.nightclubhq.com ) officially confirmed that Olly Murs will be performing live at their venue here in Thurles on May 4th, 2010, with support from Diane Sullivan and Pat [...]]]> We broke the news first last week regarding Olly Murs intended visit and live performance at HQ Nightclub.

Tonight about 30 minutes ago, the HQ Nightclub web site ( www.nightclubhq.com ) officially confirmed that Olly Murs will be performing live at their venue here in Thurles on May 4th, 2010, with support from Diane Sullivan and Pat Fitz.

Olly Murs

Tickets for this event will go on sale from this Thursday, March 4th, from 3.00 pm at the Arch Bar, Liberty Square, Thurles.

It’s true folks, we have it on very good authority, that the X Factor star Olly Murs has signed a contract to appear in Nightclub HQ in Thurles within the coming weeks.

When contacted separately today HQ Nightclub promoters, Pat Hayes and John Quinn [...]]]>

Olly Murs and Simon Cowell

It’s true folks, we have it on very good authority, that the X Factor star Olly Murs has signed a contract to appear in Nightclub HQ in Thurles within the coming weeks.

When contacted separately today HQ Nightclub promoters, Pat Hayes and John Quinn were keeping silent, both refusing to either confirm or deny that Olly is booked to appear.

However sources close to Thurles.Info and within the music business have confirmed that the X Factor star will make an appearance within the coming weeks.

This news comes when just yesterday Olly received the ultimate compliment to his talents, when X-Factor guru and music industry mogul Simon Cowell, signed Olly up for two exclusive record deals with his record company Syco Music and Epic Records.
Sonny Takhar, managing director of Simon’s label, told BBC Newsbeat: “We are thrilled to be involved with Olly. As an artist he ticks every box.”

Despite finishing a close second to Joe McElldery in last year’s X-Factor final, Essex boy Olly Murs has more than convinced both UK and Irish audiences alike of his tangible star quality, helped considerably by his instinctively savvy stage performances, his naturally cool growling rock/pop vocal and his cheeky chappy mischievous grin.

This boys got talent, there’s no doubt about it. Girls want him and guys want to be him.
Olly’s currently hitting arenas and venues in the UK and Ireland as part of the X-Factor live tour but it looks like he’s being coaxed away from his busy schedule to make this appearance in Thurles’ own premier nightspot, HQ Nighclub.

Should these rumours be true, and our money says it is,  it represents a major coup for HQ Nighclub and Thurles town and will be a night out not to missed.

I for one will be keeping an eye on www.nightclubhq.com and thanking the Man above that my membership is up to date.

Forget the X-Factor Olly, you’ve now got the Nightclub HQ Factor.

Thurles Musical Society will premiere the hit show Jekyll and Hyde in the Premier Hall, Thurles from Tuesday March 23rd to Saturday March 27th,  [...]]]>

Thurles Musical Society Committee 2010

Noel Dundon, senior reporter with the Tipperary Star Newspaper and PRO for Thurles Musical Society, posts this exciting community news.

Thurles Musical Society will premiere the hit show Jekyll and Hyde in the Premier Hall, Thurles from Tuesday March 23rd to Saturday March 27th,  2010 with the promise of great music, entertainment, song and dance.

With music by Frank Wildhorn and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, Jekyll and Hyde has become one of the most popular musicals on Broadway and the West End and has packed theatres throughout the world.

The mammoth role of Jekyll and Hyde will be played by Michael McLoughlin, a well known and popular figure in Thurles who has starred in many previous productions. This is a huge role for Michael whose last outing was as Coalhouse Walker Junior in Ragtime – a role which earned him an AIMS nomination.

Linda Ryan plays the part of Lucy Harris; Joan Farrell is Emma Carew; Jonathon Gleeson plays John Utterson; John Scott is Sir Danvers Carew; John Hayes is Mr Simon Stride; Dixie Byrne – Lord Savage; Brendan Bailey, taking his first outing with Thurles Musical Society, is the Bishop of Basingstoke; Nina Scott is Lady Beaconsfield; Brian Gleeson is Sir Archibald Proops; Barry Derby is General Lord Glossop; Shane Willoughby is Spider; and Nellie is played by Michelle O’Connell.

Almost everywhere it has has been staged, Jekyll and Hyde has thrilled audiences with it’s passion, secrecy, darkness and of course single-minded desire.

Thurles welcomes back Director Tony Finnegan for this show. Tony has previously directed the society’s huge success Jesus Christ Superstar in 2009, and The Hot MIkado in 2000, which won Best Overall Show at the annual AIMS Awards. Tony will be ably assisted by Mary Butler as Assistant Director.
Mary Rose McNally is once again the Musical Director/Conductors chair while the Choreography is being looked after by Trisha McElgunn and Rosalie Butler. Tommy Sweeney returns as Stage Manager while Rita Callanan will be Stage Director.

The original stage conception for Jekyll and Hyde was by Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn. The music was composed by Wildhorn and the lyrics were written by Leslie Bricusse. Adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novella “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” Jekyll & Hyde tells the story of Dr. Henry Jekyll, a brilliant young doctor and research scientist who, distraught over his father’s mental illness, embarks upon a quest to isolate the dual elements of good and evil that are constantly struggling for supremacy inside every human being. However, when his experiment backfires, Jekyll inadvertently gives life to Edward Hyde, his evil alter ego, a murderous being who will let loose a reign of terror on the city of London and those who had ridiculed Jekyll’s research.

Jekyll & Hyde was originally produced in 1990 at the Houston’s Tony Award-winning Alley Theatre. An instantaneous success with audiences and critics alike, it went on to break box office records, and its original run was extended four times during that first summer. In 1995, the show was remounted by Houston’s Theater Under the Stars and Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theater. Adding to the shows momentum, stars such as Liza Minnelli and The Moody Blues soon began to record songs from the show. Finally, on April 28, 1997, Jekyll & Hyde made its Broadway debut at the Plymouth Theatre. Another resounding success, this production was nominated for 4 Tony Awards. Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll/Hyde) won the Drama Desk award for Best Actor in a Musical. And Linda Eder (Lucy) won a 1997 Theater World Award for Outstanding Debut Performer in New York City. The show ran for 1,543 regular performances, closing on January 7, 2001 and is the longest-running show in the history of the Plymouth Theatre.

Tickets can be booked at the Booking Office in Hickey’s Pharmacy, Liberty Square, Thurles  (0504 21423).

Note: Balcony seats cost €20 for adults and €10 for children. Tickets for downstairs  are €15 for adults and €10 Euro for children.  OAP’s will be half price on Tuesday and Wednesday’s only. Family tickets costing €50 for balcony and €40 Euro downstairs are now also available.
Watch this site for further news as TMS go into rehersals and remember to book tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Stung by the disappointment of last years All Ireland Hurling Final against Kilkenny in Croke Park, local Holycross and GAA fanatic Michelle Skehan, is hoping to lift the hearts of her fellow Tipperary fans by flying the ‘Blue and Gold’ flag in yet another All Ireland [...]]]>

Michelle Skehan

Stung by the disappointment of last years All Ireland Hurling Final against Kilkenny in Croke Park, local Holycross and GAA fanatic Michelle Skehan, is hoping to lift the hearts of her fellow Tipperary fans by flying the ‘Blue and Gold’ flag in yet another All Ireland Final.

The competition this time, RTE 1’s All Ireland Talent Show. Michelle’s bid to bring home the title begins on Sunday 24th January at 6.30pm when she will represent the South of Ireland under the mentoring of Cork man John Creedon.

Well known locally, past pupil of Holycross NS and Presentation Convent Secondary School, Thurles, 25 year old Michelle, a teacher at Scoil Angela Ursuline primary school and Moyne NS, has been involved with many local community and sports groups such as Holycross Folk Group, Thurles Gospel Singers, Holycross/Ballycahill Camogie and Thurles Sarsfields Ladies Football Team.

From performing regularly at the Ship Bar, Cormackstown, singer/songwriter Michelle has gone on to perform on the big stage alongside many of the great names in the music business including Brendan Bowyer, Mary Black and Frances Black. “Performing my own songs on stage with greats like Brendan Bowyer was a dream come true, I have thought about this day for so long.”

Determined to make a name for herself in the music industry, Michelle decided to take a career break from teaching this year to focus entirely on her song writing and music with a view to recording her own material. To date, she has successfully reached the final of Tipp FM’s Premier Factor competition and has been a regular guest on Tipp FM, performing her own compositions live on Radio.

The top prize is a whopping €50,000 and Michelle is certain that the money would send her well on her way towards achieving her musical dreams. “Winning this competition would be the ultimate boost I need. My supreme goal is to create my own studio at home with recording equipment and software. If I had anything left over then I could put new strings on my guitars, banjo, and mandolin, and get my piano tuned.” stated Michelle

Michelle is hoping to impress the judges and the public with her own version of a well-known folk song. She will need as many public votes as possible to keep her in the competition. “I will do my very best, for my parish, town, county, the south and all music lovers across the country and hopefully I will make it through. I don’t want to leave the studio feeling as I did leaving Croker in September. Our Tipp heroes played their hearts out on the day and were winners in all our eyes.”

This time the people of Tipp can choose their own destiny so please tune in and vote for Michelle on the All Ireland Talent Show, Sunday 24th January, @ 6.30pm on RTE1.

He had lost his long battle with pulmonary fibrosis, the same disease which his brother Bobby died of, on September [...]]]> Tipperary folk legend Liam Clancy died at about midday last Friday, aged 74, at the Bons Secours Hospital, in Co Cork, surrounded, as he would have wished, by his beloved wife Kim and daughters Siobhan and Fiona.

He had lost his long battle with pulmonary fibrosis, the same disease which his brother Bobby died of, on September 6th in 2002.

I first met Liam many years ago, when this country was a less greedy and a more saner place, near the harbour in Greystones, Co.Wicklow. If my sliding memory serves me correctly I had listened, spellbound, the previous night, as he recited some poetry, possibly in the Beach House which overlooked the grey harbour wall. As we passed he possibly recognised me from the small crowd the night before and we stopped to chat about poetry for a time, during which period he recited “And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda” written by Scottish-born singer and songwriter Eric Bogle in 1971.

This ballad is possibly one of the greatest songs ever written demonstrating the total futility of war. Now through this actor’s lips came the passionate, clear and stark retelling of the events of the battle of Suvla Bay, its aftermath and the passionate indictment of all war in general. Liam, in his telling, brought a tear to his own eye and indeed the eyes of those few of us lucky enough on that day to happen on this unscheduled meeting with him.

Liam Clancy, was just 21 when he left his native Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, for New York city. With him went his older brothers Tommy and Paddy and of course later they would be joined by Tommy Makem and Bobby Clancy.

The Clancy Brothers took up singing in local bars and other venues and soon became part of the then emerging Greenwich Village vagabond folk movement, which then existed. Greenwich Village would soon be identified as the bohemian capital and the birthplace of the Beat movement where musicians and artists would enjoy the company of like-minded people.

Responding to an Irish American nostalgia vacuum for native Irish songs, this group soon found huge success as actors, performers and balladeers. The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem would go on to perform  sellout concerts at such venues as Carnegie Hall, and made television appearances on shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show. The group would later perform at The White House for 35th President of the USA  John .F. Kennedy, himself of Irish decent.

Suddenly their trademark, the prominent cable patterned Aran jumpers and corduroy flat caps began influencing the changing fashion scene. American visitors now coming to Ireland were demanding the real complex textured stitch patterned Irish Aran Island geansaí which they called ‘sweaters’, to bring home as souvenirs.

The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem were now not only recognised as truly gifted artists and musicians, they were Tipperary and Ireland’s first international pop stars, recognisable ambassadors for their county and their country as a whole.

The mark of Liam’s success was undoubtedly his mammoth ability to interpret accurately, the feeling in the lyrics of his chosen songs, his acting and singing style and his ability through his soft confident voice to transport his audiences backwards, to remember the nostalgic days long since past, when the sun always shone and happiness seemed to be in abundance everywhere.

The American theatres, pubs and halls where he entertained, were somehow transformed magically by him for a time in that inward eye of his listener to become, for this short period, the individual Irish kitchens and other gathering places faintly remembered from the old land, left behind all those years ago.

Liam is survived by his wife Kim, two sisters Joan and Peg, his four children, Eban, Siobhan, Donal, Fiona together with eight grandchildren and to them go our sincerest sympathy at this time as we share with them in their great loss.