Big buzz in Mayo town over imminent musical stage show

'The Hutchback of Notre Dame' on stage in Ballinrobe from February 16 to 22

Excitement is building in the town of Ballinrobe as the local award-winning musical society prepares to host their production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, from Sunday, February 16, to Saturday, February 22.

Once again the members of Ballinrobe Musical Society are preparing to set the bar, as they take on a show that has rarely been performed by other musical societies in the country. This is certainly another big challenge for the group, but it is one which they are relishing.

Donegal native Richard Crumlish is the newly installed chairman of Ballinrobe Musical Society, and was also previously involved with the local soccer club, Ballinrobe Town AFC, for over a decade.

Richard is looking forward to the upcoming production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and was fulsome in his praise for the community spirit in Ballinrobe.

He said: “There is excitement and anticipation with just over a week and a half to go until our opening night. We are all really looking forward to it and this is a great show. The music is fantastic and there is also a big chorus, and anyone who likes big choruses will certainly enjoy this show.

“Team spirit is huge in the society and apart from the committee and the cast, there are so many people involved in the production every year who are from Ballinrobe.

"There are so many people involved, be it backstage, or selling tickets. Then the week of the show we will see plenty of people from the town involved, such as members of the GAA club, rugby club, who all help with the running of the car park, making tea, sandwiches, and all of this is voluntary.

“There is a great buzz in the town at this time of year and the musical is definitely one of the highlights of the year for Ballinrobe.”

This is Sarah Corcoran’s first time being involved in a production with Ballinrobe Musical Society and the Ballinasloe native, who is also a singing teacher, has won prestigious awards which includes being a three-time All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil Singing champion.

In 2018, Sarah won the AIMS Best Female Singer accolade for her portrayal of ‘Sarah’ in the Bravo Theatre Group’s production of Ragtime.

Sarah, who plays the character ‘Esmerelda’, explained that not a lot of musical societies have taken on a show of the magnitude of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

“Not an awful lot of musical societies have actually done this show; I think Boyle Musical Society might have had a production of it last year. We are very lucky to get this opportunity and I think this is an exciting challenge for all of us involved and I hope that people enjoy themselves. I would hope that the show is a sell-out and that it is an enjoyable night out for those attending.”

The vice-chairman of Ballinrobe Musical Society, Des Treacy, said that tickets for this year’s show are selling fast.

“Tickets are selling very well and we are always delighted to see that in advance of our shows. It seems to have caught the public’s imagination and that is very pleasing. It is going to be a dramatic show and the music is absolutely terrific,”he said.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame takes place in Ballinrobe Community School from Sunday, February 16, to Saturday, February 22. Sunday’s show will take place at 5 p.m., with Monday to Saturday’s shows running nightly at 8 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting http://www.gr8events.ie/sales/index.php?event=1901.

Tickets can also be bought from the Tacú Family Resource Centre, Main Street, Ballinrobe.

For group, family or concession rates please call into the box office in the Tacú Centre, Main Street, Ballinrobe. The box office can also be contacted at (094) 9542907.

PHOTO: Pictured is the cast of Ballinrobe Musical Society’s production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Back row (left to right): John Morley, Niall Conway, Lorna Dennehy, Des Treacy, Freddie Yarnell, Tom Heneghan, Pat McGovern, Edward Scott, Aoife Kilcullen, Richard Crumlish, John Murphy, Joff Manning. Third row: Emma Kane, Eimear Philbin, Annie Grimes, Oisín McGovern, Eimear McGovern, Kathy Kennedy, Siobhán Campbell, Karen Reaney, Laura Rochford, Trisha Hacker, Elaine Watson, Mary Farragher, Evelyn Lydon, Andrea Quinn, Rory Quinn, Enda Mulchrone. Second row: Emma Daly, Catherine Conway, Joanne Heskin, Anne McGovern, Martina Madden, Geraldine Bailey, Orla Conlon, Trisha Sullivan, Ita Delaney, Sheila Reaney, Gráinne McConnell, Assumpta Quinn, Sara Lally, Lisa Murphy, Richard Hennelly. Front row: Alison Dean, Patrick Mulchrone, Úna Loughran, Maria Gallagher, Karina Jakubowska, Erika Flynn, Emma Loscher, Annemarie Sinnott, Maria Hobson, Therése Morley, Jennifer Hughes, Tom Carney. Absent from the photo: Mick Sweeney, Eugene O’Malley, Gerry Hughes, Sarah Corcoran, Keith Hanley, Kate MacDonnell and Angela Staunton. PHOTO: TRISH FORDE