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 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.
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.
The recipe for any outstanding musical performance, guaranteed to pack a theatre every night, is really quite simple.
Ingredients:
1 X Aishling Doyle (Director/Choreographer). 1 X David Wray (Musical Director). 1 X Gerard O’Brien (Producer). 1 X Trevor Killeen (Production Manager). 1 X Gerry Taylor (Lighting Designer). 1 each X Siobhan King and Mairead Hackett (Dance Captains). 1 X John O’Donoghue (Stage Design). 1 each X Alan Butler and Jack Rossiter (Stage Managers). 1 X Star Systems (Sound). 60 X 1 X Talented Youngsters (Cast)
Directions:
Mix the above ingredients together into a fine paste.
Sprinkle with a fine mixture of locally trained, talented and dedicated Make Up Artists, Stage Constructors and clever General Go – Fors, and stirr well and continuously for six weeks. Cook’s note:
The result is an outstanding musical theatre production called “Oliver” worthy of playing in London’s West End or on New York’s Broadway.
Our video above, prepared earlier, demonstrates a few of the personalities and highlights and out sincerest congratulations to all those talented individuals involved.
Phoenix Productions Present "Oliver" - 4th - 8th Aug
Why is there a red double-decker London bus Parked in Liberty Square, Thurles, we here you ask? Has Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II decided to visit her ancestral home we hear you query?
Here is a clue: What has Red Buses, London, the West End and Theatre got to do with the Town of Thurles in the coming days?
Yes you have guessed correctly, the answer is of course “Oliver Twist“. Now while Queen Elizabeth II may be visiting Thurles in the not too distant future, one thing is certain “Oliver” will go on stage in the Premier Hall Thurles this August 4th to the 8th inclusive, God willing.
But why the Red Bus I hear you say? It’s simple – the late and much lamented Mr Matty Ryan, who departed, regrettably from our midst on January 24th last, made arrangements for Phoenix Productions to use his Red Bus to promote the classic musical “Oliver” with the proceeds of one performance going to the charity to which he was so devoted, namely North Tipperary Hospice.
To honour and respect both his memory and his wishes it was decided to keep faith and so as he requested, his bus, which was a cherished birthday gift, is over the next few days, being used as a ‘Ticket Booking Office’.
So have you got your ticket? They are getting as scarce as rocking horse manure. Move quickly – Phoenix promise you a show to remember for a very long time.
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.
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.
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
Economic Recession, Water Charges, Mortgage Rate Rises, and with all that depression about, what we all need is a good laugh. This ‘sure cure remedy’ is ready and available this weekend here at The Source Theatre, in Thurles.
God’s Official
To some people, football is a matter of life and death, to others it is even far more important than that great love of the sport itself.
Two football fans have just seen their side relegated after a referee disallowed a perfectly good goal and allowed the opposition to go down to the other end and score. This can be just one step to many, however the referee’s decision is final…or is it?
Two lads, Degsy and Cliff, decide to take matters into their own hands and kidnap the referee to force him to change his mind on this all important goal, with hilarious and the most unexpected consequences. This is a madcap comedy starring legendary Irish actor, Mick Lally, George McMahonof Mondo and Fair City fame and rising star Edwin Mullane.
Kidnapping a referee (and a Christian referee at that, hence the title) may seem a corny plot for a play. After all, we have all wanted to do something similar after a certain clash with a recent French team, but this script is a tremendous piece of writing, and superbly acted. Ostensibly about football, God’s Official is a powerful play about passion and commitment, a welcome relief in these dark and cynical times.
The play was a massive hit at the Edinburgh Festival winning the Spirit of the Fringe Award. Now, with Irish men taking up the roles, it’s on a nationwide tour set to amuse and delight soccer fans up and down the country.
So for all you football fanatics and soccer widows, why not make a night of it together, with a show that promises to entertain everybody.
God’s Official will appear at The Source Arts Centre for one night only on Fri next the 23rd April. Time 8.00pm.
Kevin McAleer
On Saturday night the 24th of April, complete your therapy with a dose of the veteran County Tyrone stand up comedian Kevin McAleer who will be in attendance at the The Source Arts Centre also at 8.00pm.
Is it possible for a comedian to be too Irish I ask? No, not when Kevin McAleer oozes that whimsical spirit of Flann O’Brien with almost every deadpan utterance. “Sure you couldn’t have a famine in Ireland now, people would just go and eat out.”
It’s nearly twenty years since Kevin lit up our hearts and the screens of our television sets with his psychedelic folk tales of Kojak, Dana, Gary Glitter, the Woman and the Washing Powder, Closedown, and dozens of other cultural icons too numerous to mention.
McAleer has been hugely influential in comedy circles for a whole generation of comedians, not just in here in Ireland, but in the UK as well. Our own David O’Doherty, for example, tells how he decided to become a comedian after seeing the original Nighthawks show in the Olympia back in the middle of the Nineties.
His owlish storytelling occasionally rambles down a funny side, not often identified by the average man, and then finds it way back in a similar vein, leading you always into continuous bouts of uncontrollable laughter. His grossly understated absurdism’s will have you in stitches and most certainly he deserves to demonstrate his unique and talented wares to packed audiences.
This show is a must for economic depression sufferers.
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.
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.
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