Big announcement made by leading Mayo musical society

Ballinrobe Musical Society (BMS) has announced it has chosen the spellbinding new musical, ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame,’ as its 2025 production.

Based on the hit Disney film and the Victor Hugo novel, this chorus-filled, narrative-driven show promises to entertain audiences of all ages when the society returns to the stage once more from February 16 to 22 next.

With an an award-winning score by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, The Hunchback of Notre Dame features powerful, enchanting choral numbers such as ‘The Bells of Notre Dame’, ‘Entracte’ and ‘Esmerelda’ and uplifting ballads such as ‘God Help The Outcasts’, ‘In A Place of Miracles’ and ‘Someday’.

The plot follows Quasimodo, a hideous, hunchbacked man who lives in the bell tower of the world-renowned Notre Dame de Paris during the fifteenth century.

Living under the care of the villainous Claude Frollo, the Archdeacon of Notre Dame, Quasimodo befriends the gargoyles and the cathedral bells, but one day longs to one day venture into the outside world.

One day, he escapes the cathedral and joins the boisterous crowd at the Feast of Fools, where he is treated cruelly by all but the beautiful Romani woman, Esmeralda.

Quasimodo is quickly captivated by her free spirit, as are Frollo and the handsome soldier Captain Phoebus.

Ballinrobe Musical Society Chairman, Richard Crumlish, said the society are thrilled to begin preparations for their annual show once more.

“Following the success of The Phantom of the Opera, we felt that Hunchback of Notre Dame is a show that will showcase all the strengths of the society and will entertain audiences of all ages,” said Mr Crumlish.

“Many people will be familiar with the story, but we instantly fell in love with the music of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and believe our audience will too.”

Mr Crumlish congratulated outgoing Chairman, Kenneth McCarthy, who recently received the AIMS Award (Gilbert) for Best Stage Management,

He also thanked Ballinrobe Community School Principal, William Culkeen, and wished him well in his retirement.

“Without the use of the school gymnasium, staging our annual musical simply would not be possible,” explained Mr Crumlish.

“On behalf of the society, I would like to thank William Culkeen for being so accommodating in allowing us to use the school for rehearsals and performances during his time as principal. We all wish him a very healthy and happy retirement.”

Mr. Crumlish congratulated Julie Anne Collins on her recent appointment as principal of Ballinrobe Community School.

“We also wish to thank Julie Anne Collins for agreeing to continue our long-standing cooperation with the Ballinrobe Community School for our 2025 show. We look forward to working with Julie Anne in the year ahead and wish her the very best in her new appointment.”

Mr. Crumlish also welcomed the return of Alan Greaney for his second show with the society’s Director while Choreographer Aoife McClafferty returns for her sixteenth successive production.

He also welcomed the society’s new musical director, Shane Farrell.

A native of Tuam, Mr. Farrell is no stranger to Ballinrobe Musical Society, having made his society debut under the baton of his old mentor Noel Kirrane (RIP) when he played the piano in their 2008 production of Titanic while still a student in St Jarlath’s College.

The following year, he was back on keyboards as part of a 19-piece orchestra in their production of Chess. He also served as chorus master in that year’s show.

Mr. Farrell has since established a reputation as one of the most sought-after musical directors in the west of Ireland, winning the Best Musical Director award at AIMS on four occasions.

“Having performed this score before, I can safely say that The Hunchback of Notre Dame has some of the most incredible music that you will hear in any show.”

Mr. Farrell thanked Ballinrobe Musical Society for giving him the opportunity to act as Musical Director for the society’s 2025 production.

“I am overjoyed to be back again with Ballinrobe Musical Society after 15 years. Personally, I am truly honoured to step into the shoes of my old teacher, Noel Kirrane, who was a dear friend to both me and the society.

“I simply cannot wait to get working on this fabulous musical later this year,” Mr. Farrell added.

Aoife McClafferty, who first worked with the society on their 2007 show, Hot Mikado, said: “This is an epic story of humanity and tragedy.

"This is a perfect production for Ballinrobe Musical society as it is well-paced, powerfully sung where the chorus through their choral numbers narrate the show thoughtfully from beginning to end.

“It encompasses many different dance genres. BMS are sure to bring so much heart to this show and I’m once again so looking forward to working with this fantastic bunch.

"BMS always bring community and love of musical theatre to the forefront through their talent, magnificent staging and overall love for what they do best.”

Mr. Crumlish concluded by thanking all of the society’s sponsors, patrons and volunteers for their time and support in making their annual show a reality.

Ballinrobe Musical Society will stage The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Ballinrobe Community School from February 16 to 22, 2025, in Ballinrobe Community School.

The society will be holding auditions for their 2025 production in the coming months. Details will be published on their Facebook, Instagram and TikTok pages.

PHOTO: Members of Ballinrobe Musical Society at the launch of their 2025 musical, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Pictured in the front row (left to right) are Tom Carney, Siobhán Campbell, Maria Hobson, Erika Flynn, Joanne Heskin, Emma McCarthy, Emma Loscher and Melissa Tierney. Back row (left to right) are Paul Singleton, Alastair Pitt, Joff Manning, John Hyland, Kenneth McCarthy, Des Treacy, Eimear Philbin, Helen O'Shea and Richard Crumlish