Theatre - Thurles Information

‘Made In Dagenham’ – All Set For Stage In Premier Hall, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

**Cast of Thurles Musical Society 2023**

Thurles Musical Society (TMS) is all set to stage the hit show ‘Made in Dagenham’, which opens in the Premier Hall, Thurles on Tuesday evening next, March 28th, and runs until Saturday April 1st.

Three years after it had been originally billed, this brilliant show, (latter centred around a strike in the Ford factory in Dagenham in Essex, London, dramatizing the Ford sewing machinists strike of 1968, and aimed at obtaining equal pay for women), is all set for the stage, with Director Oliver Hurley having collaborated with Musical Director Mary Rose McNally and Dance Captain Siobhan King, to bring this stunning piece of theatre to life.

TMS had originally planned to stage this show in 2020, but Covid 19 put paid to their plans. Thankfully the majority of the cast and chorus has returned for this run, with a number of notable additions as well. In fact, almost a cast of sixty will don costume for the show, bookings for which can be made through Gr8events.ie or at Bookworm, Thurles from Thursday March 23rd – Saturday 25th, between 11:00am-2:00pm.

There is huge interest in this production locally and it is anticipated that many regular show goers will travel from distance to enjoy what is still, a relatively new show. Patrons are encouraged to book tickets early, so as to secure the seat you wish to have.

Among the main role players are Fiona Delaney (Rita), John Hayes (Eddie) – (John is also joined on stage by his children Éanna and Fiadh) – Brendan Bailey (Harold Wilson), Linda Ryan (Barbara Castle), Barry Derby (Monty), Frank Tuohy (Tooley), Peter Donnelly (Barry), Therese Murphy (Sandra), Mary Callanan (Beryl), Denise King (Claire), Siobhan King (Cass), Nina Scott (Connie), John Butler (Mr Hopkins), Cole Flanagan (Cortina Man) and Deirdre Hayes (Lisa). There are also roles for Geraint Fyler, Peter Stockborough, Finbarr Shelly and Gerard O’Hagan – it is indeed a big cast.

The set and stage are in the final throes of preparation by Anthony Kirby (Stage Manager), Rita Dempsey (Stage Director) and their teams, while the orchestra members under the guidance of Mary Rose McNally are also fine tuning their work.

In total, there will be well over 100 people involved in this production– a real community event and Thurles Musical Society is most appreciative of all the support received so far. Anyone wishing to submit subscriptions or patronage would be very welcome to do so – simply place your sub into an envelope and address to Thurles Musical Society, Hickey’s Pharmacy, Liberty Square, Thurles.

So make sure to get along to the Premier Hall next week and witness a great piece of local theatre right on your doorstep.

[Prepared to be entertained, but please note the show does contain some strong language.]

Death Announced Of Chaim Topol.

Israeli actor, singer, and illustrator, Chaim Topol (also spelled Haym Topol), sadly passed away yesterday, March 8th, 2023, aged 87 years.

Mononymously known to most people as Topol, he is possibly best known for his portrayal of the character ‘Tevye’, in the musical ‘Fiddler on the Roof’.

He was a founder of ‘Variety Israel’, latter an organization serving children with special needs, and ‘Jordan River Village’, a year-round camp for Arab and Jewish children with life-threatening illnesses.

In 1956 he married Ms Galia Finkelstein, with the couple having three children; one son and two daughters.

Topol’s first film appearance was in the 1961 film ‘I Like Mike’, followed by the 1963 Israeli film ‘El Dorado’. His breakthrough role came as the lead character in the 1964 film ‘Sallah Shabati’.
In 1966, Topol made his English-language film debut as ‘Abou Ibn Kaqden’ in ‘Cast a Giant Shadow’.

His numerous TV appearances included ‘War and Remembrance’; ‘Queenie’; ‘The Winds of War’; ‘The House on Garibaldi Street’, and ‘The Going Up of David Lev’.

His Awards included; Kinor David Prize, (latter an Israeli cultural award), in 1964; Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer—Male, in 1964; Golden Globe for Best Actor, in 1971 and Israel Prize, in 2015, latter an award bestowed by the State of Israel, and regarded as the state’s highest cultural honour.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Dr. Ciarán Kissane Appointed Director Of Film Classification At Irish Film Classification Office.

The Minister for Justice, Mr Simon Harris TD, has today announced the appointment of Dr. Ciarán Kissane as the new Director of Film Classification in the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO).
Dr. Kissane’s appointment follows an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service.

**Cinema Submissions For Classification**.

Announcing the appointment Minister Harris said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Ciarán Kissane, who will bring a wealth of professional experience to this important role.
The important work undertaken by the IFCO ensures that the public, and parents in particular, have a modern and dependable system of classification to enable them to make informed viewing choices for themselves and importantly for those minors for whom they are responsible.”

Speaking about his new role, Dr. Kissane said: “I am delighted to be appointed as Director of Film Classification in the Irish Film Classification Office in its centenary year. I look forward to continuing the long standing and important work of the IFCO over the next 5 years”.

The Irish Film Classification Office was established in 1923 by the Censorship of Films Act 1923. The IFCO’s role was further expanded under the Video Recordings Act 1989. The IFCO is one of the oldest agencies in the State; however it has embraced change, transparency and modernisation in recent years and will continue to evolve with Irish society.

In 2022, the IFCO received 979 cinema submissions for classification (consisting of 438 films, 8 short films and 533 trailers) and 1532 video/DVD submissions, including 20 video games rated as 18, by the Pan-European Game Information system (PEGI).

‘Banshees Of Inisherin’ Star Kerry Condon Wins Best Supporting Actress.

The Banshees of Inisherin Star, Thurles native and natural beauty, Ms Kerry Condon this evening, as expected, won a Bafta award for ‘Best Supporting Actress’. (After an unaired gaffe, which saw the wrong winner of the award being announced).

**Thurles born and natural beauty, Ms Kerry Condon**.

In accepting the award, Ms Condon thanked Director Martin McDonagh for giving her the part, and for all the parts he gave her throughout her career. “You make me so proud to be an Irish woman”, she added.

Barry Keoghan, won best supporting actor, and dedicated his award to the kids from the area that he came from, “who are dreaming to be something”.

Mr Martin McDonagh won original screenplay for “The Banshees Of Inisherin”, making it three wins in total for this dark comedy film.
Receiving his award, Mr McDonagh, thanked Bafta; his fellow nominees; his production company and all those who performed in the film.

“Ms Condon, you make Thurles; County Tipperary and Ireland so proud”.

2023 Tipperary Drama Festival Returns To St. Michael’s Community Centre, Holycross, Thurles.

The Co. Tipperary 2023 Open Drama Festival; same an inclusive nine night annual event, will be held from March 17th to March 25th next in its now long established venue of St. Michael’s Community Centre, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

The programme, each night, will run from 8:30pm nightly, except on the final night, when the programme will begin sharp at 8:00pm.

This year the festival committee are pleased to welcome, as Adjudicator, a member of ADA (Association of Drama Adjudicators), namely Mr Peter O’Driscoll.

No stranger to the County Tipperary Drama Festival; Mr O’Driscoll has been an Actor, Designer and Director with many companies including the ‘Strand Players’.
For twenty years he has been ‘Head of Drama’ in St. Patrick’s College of Education, Drumcondra, Dublin; holding responsibility for equipping and maintaining the very fine theatre facilities available there, while also directing many of their performances.
He has contributed to the post-graduate ‘Theatre Studies Programme’, operating workshops on Authentic Voice Training; on Directing, and on Acting.
His main work was in preparing student teachers to use Drama as a method of education.

Engaged by the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) as an adjudicator; Mr O’Driscoll’s professional work as a lighting designer, has included work undertaken in the ‘Gate Theatre’, ‘Olympia Theatre’ and ‘Gaiety Theatre’.

He also has considerable experience as a musician, a choral director and as an organist; having directed a wide range of musicals in Dublin and throughout the country in the past. In the Dublin Arts Club, he played the lead in a new play about the Czech composer, musical theorist, folklorist, publicist and teacher, Leoš Janáček (1854 – 1928).

County Tipperary Drama Festival Programme 2023.

Friday 17th: (Confined); Harvest Moon Players; “God of Carnage“ by Yasmina Reza.
Saturday 18th: (Open); Prosperous; “Oleanna” by David Mamet.
Sunday 19th: (Open); Holycross/Ballycahill; “A skull in Connemara” by Martin McDonagh.
Monday 20th: (Open); Brideview; “The Father” by Florian Zeller.
Tuesday 21st: (Confined); Cill Dara; “I Do Not Like Thee Dr Fell” by Bernard Farrell.
Wednesday 22nd: (Open); Hinterland; “The Playboy of The Western World” by J.M. Synge.
Thursday 23rd: (Open); Thurles; “The Seafarer” by Conor McPhearson.
Friday 24th: (Open); Kilmeen; “Blithe Spirit” by Noel Coward.
Saturday 25th: (Open); Lifford; “When Elephants Collide” by Edward Flanagan.