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 Many TV viewers here in Thurles will be saddened to learn the news of the death of the very great character actor Geoffrey Hughes, who died peacefully in his sleep on Friday night last, aged just 68. It is understood his death came following a two year courageous battle with prostate cancer.
Merseyside born, Geoffrey lived on the Isle of Wight and in 2009, was appointed Deputy Lord Lieutenant for the island, which made him the official link between the Isle of Wight and Royalty, for all formal engagements.
Hughes had considerable acting achievements over his earlier career, and these included film credits in “Till Death Us Do Part,” (1969), “The Bofors Gun,” (1969) and “Carry On at Your Convenience, (1971). Hughes was also the voice of Paul McCartney in The Beatles’ cartoon film “Yellow Submarine,” (1968) and appeared in the musical “Maggie May,” as well as TV favourites “Doctor Who,” “Casualty,” “Boon,” and “The Upper Hand.”
Thurles people however will remember him best in recent years, playing wheeler dealer Vernon Scripps, in “Hearbeat,” Twiggy, in “The Royle Family,” Hyacinth Bucket’s lazy brother-in-law, Onslow, in “Keeping Up Appearances,” and of course his best remembered role as Binman Eddie Yeats in the ITV soap “Coronation Street,” from 1974 to 1983 returning for a final appearance in November 1987.
Geoffrey is survived by his wife Susan.
Thank you for the laughter. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.
 Leading Tipperary Star reporter and Thurles Musical Society P.R.O. Mr Noel Dundon brings us up to date on the company’s next major Thurles production.
Thurles Musical Society will stage the fabulous “Calamity Jane,” in the Premier Hall, Thurles, from Tuesday March 27th -Saturday March 31st inclusive.
A wonderful show full of gaiety and frivolity, Calamity Jane was last staged by the Society back in 1970, and there is just one cast member surviving from those days with Michael Hickey all set to don his Stetson forty two years later. However, quite a few members of the Society from the Black Hills of Dakota days of the 70’s are still involved, with stage crew member Pierce Murphy doing exactly the same job now as he was back then – a remarkable feat.
Photo shows Jonathan Gleeson (Wild Bill Hikock) and Cathy Keane (Calamity Jane) star in Thurles Musical Society’s Calamity Jane which opens in The Premier Hall next week.
With music by Paul Francis Webster, the show was adapted for the stage by Phil Park and Ronald Hanmer. We happen upon two of Deadwood City’s most famous peace officers, Calamity Jane (Cathy Keane) and Wild Bill Hickock (Jonathan Gleeson) as they get involved in saving the neck of Henry Miller (John Butler), the local saloon operator.
It seems that “Millie,” has been promoting a beautiful actress named Frances Fryer (Brendan Bailey), but Frances turns out to be a boy, Francis. Millie’s attempt to cover up is soon unmasked by the angry miners, and only Calamity can cool the crowd with her trusty pistols. To keep the peace, Calamity sets out for Chicago to bring back the miner’s real heart-throb, Adelaide Adams (Maria McElgunn).
In Chicago Calamity mistakes Adelaide’s maid, Katie Brown (Michelle O’Connell ), for the actress and hauls her back to Deadwood. On stage Katie is greeted warmly, but breaks down and confesses that she is not the famous star. Calamity once more has to restore order and persuades the audience to give Katie a chance. They do, and she wins the heart of every male in town including Calamity’s dashing love hope, Lt. Danny Gilmartin (Frank Tuohy).
Calamity reluctantly overcomes her jealousy over losing Danny and discovers her true love for Wild Bill. Susan Miller is played by Fiona McCullagh, while Philip Egan (Rattlesnake), Jim Hanly (Doc Pierce), John Hayes (Joe), Geraint Fyler (Hank), Gary Dempsey (Peter) and Jim Kennedy (Colonel ) also play key roles in the plot.
There is great excitement amongst the company to be staging such a highly entertaining and comic show and Director David Heffernan has been busy collaborating with Musical Director Mary Rose McNally, Choreographer Debbie Kiernan and Dance Captain Trisha McElgunn to ensure that the stage really is set for the Deadwood Stage.
The Society has been very busy promoting the show and part of that promotion has seen a very innovative schools colouring competition, which has gone down a real treat. All participating school children will receive free entry to the show, but must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets are available from cast/committee members, at the door on the night, or through the Booking Office in Hickey’s Pharmacy, Liberty Square, Thurles. A special phone number for bookings is 0504 21423. Tickets cost €15 for adults with an €8 concession for children etc. Tickets for the Saturday night performance cost €15 with no concessions, as there will be a post show supper and live band to follow in the Premier Hall.
So, mark the dates in your diary and don’t miss this chance to see a great show – a great night’s entertainment guaranteed for all the family.
 Holycross Abbey 1841 Tipperary Drama Festival begins in Holycross tomorrow Friday March 16th and will run until March 24th, at the newly refurbished theatre in the village. Positioned beside the 13th century Abbey of Holy Cross, St Michael’s Community Centre now boasts modern comfortable seating, a superb balcony area and overall accommodation for some 500 patrons.
Every year this events brings together, here in Tipperary, nine great nights of top class theatre entertainment from all the performing groups, gathered from all over Ireland and who each night demonstrate their particular stage craft with true dedication and passion.
Curtain rises at 8.30pm each night during this festival, except for the final night, which will be 8.00pm.
Tipperary Drama Festival Programme
Fri Mar 16th: The Memory of Water, by Shelagh Stephenson – Holycross/Ballycahill D.G.,
Sat Mar 17th: The Two Loves of Gabriel Foley, by Jimmy Keary – Shannonside D.G.
Sun Mar 18th: Dancing at Lughnassa, by Brian Friel – Conna D.G,
Mon Mar 19th: Jeruslem, by Jes Wutterworth – Silken Thomas,
Tues Mar 20th: The Weir, by Conor McPhearson – Doonbeg D.G.
Wed Mar 21st: The Seafarer, by Conor McPhearson – Thurles D.G.
Thur Mar 22nd: Dr Jeckyl & Mr Hyde, by Jeffery Hatcher – Nenagh D.G.
Fri Mar 23rd: Who is Afraid of Virginia Wolfe, by Vintage Albee – Haulbowline T.G.
Sat Mar 24th: By the Bog of Cats, by Marina Carr– Bunclody D.G.
 The countdown is on for An Seisiún Mór 2012, which takes place on Sunday April 1st in Templemore Co.Tipperary from 3:00pm-6.00pm.
This is a fundraising event for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin, for which this event, last year, raised well over €10,000.
(Click on poster image, on left, for larger resolution.)
An Seisiún Mór 2012 is run in conjunction with TT Ram Rods “Easter Run,” to Crumlin on March 31st next. This event is being organised by seven very hard working people, namely; Mary Frances Kennedy, Audrey Butler, Garda Aidan Burke, Catherine Burke, Theresa Larkin, Sarah Ní Chatháin & Joyce Hernon.
“Again this year will be wonderful,” stated Joan Pollard Carew, “with great entertainment assured on the day including Irish Musicians, Singers, Irish Dancers, Set Dancers, Face Painters, BBQ, Bouncy Castle, Balloon Man and much, much more.”
Special guest on the day will be the Mulkerrin Brothers from Inis Mor, in the Aran Islands. The latter brothers, Pádraig Mulkerrin, Éamonn Mulkerrin and Seán Mulkerrin, were winners of the All Ireland Talent show in 2009. They all appeared on television shows, including Seoige and Tubridy Tonight following their win, later joining a performance with singer Sinéad O’Connor in London.
EVERYONE is welcome to come along and join in this fun packed family event and for those seeking more information please contact 086 0840654 or 086 3672435.
 Una, fiancé Ben Foden and friends on a night out in Thurles It has been confirmed that Thurles native Una Healy and her girl band ‘The Saturdays,’ will play Thurles Greyhound Stadium at 2.30pm on Sunday June 3rd next. (June Bank Holiday weekend.)
Promoters, David O’Mahony and Frances Bannon, of Kennedy’s Live Promotions, stated today: “We are delighted to announce the arrival of The Saturdays pop sensation, here to Thurles. Fans are promised a high octane show with strong vocals, tight harmonies and slick choreography supporting the girls’ array of crowd-pleasing hits like ‘Notorious’, ‘Work,’ ‘Forever Is Over,’ and ‘All Fired Up.’ This latter coupled with dramatic lighting and stunning visual effects, will ensure that this Tipperary gig will be one of the most exciting concert events attended here in Ireland this year.”
While Una Healy is a regular visitor to her home town of Thurles, this will be her first visit where she will perform live withwith the her bandmates Mollie King, Frankie Sandford, Vanessa White and Rochelle Wiseman. So do come and welcome Una home for a truly intimate gig here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Una’s Thurles show is set to happen less than 10 weeks after she gives birth to her first child with international rugby star, Ben Foden, who are both happily expecting the arrival of a daughter on or about March 21st next.
Tickets for the event go on sale at €35.00 excluding booking charges and will be available from www.ticketmaster.ie
Photo courtesy G.Willoughby
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