Back L-R: John. B. Ryan, Ian Collins, Dave Griffin, Des Henn,- all LMS, Mayor Sheahan, Christy O’Connor, Limerick City and County Council, Gerry Ryan and Dermot Winston, LMS, Cllr. Eddie Ryan.
Front L-R: Jacinta Florish, Laura Henebry, Niamh Twomey, Patricia Heagney – all LMS
by Rose Rushe
MAYOR of Limerick City and County cllr Kevin Sheahan has met with Limerick Musical Society to congratulate them on sweeping the awards at AIMS 2015.
Anyone with an eye to social media and ear for a great show knows that LMS won four Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) Awards at INEC, Killarney on June 13. The 15 year-old group was up against 120 affiliated societies to take the four most serious wins home to Treaty City.
Receiving the society at City Hall, Mayor Sheahan observed: “I hope that they continue to entertain the people of Limerick and contribute to the arts and culture of the city and county for many years to come.”
Individual trophies for ‘The Witches of Eastwick’ were for Best Choreographer, Niamh Twomey; Best Chorus, with Des Henn directing, Maire Keary-Scanlon as musical director; Best Actor, Dave Griffin, Sullivan section and the coveted Best Overall Show gong for LMS.
If you have seen the show and support this impressive suite of talent, set aside the night of Thursday July 2 for an evening celebration in Souths Bar.
Talking to the (retired) chairperson of the past four years, James Scanlon, who hoofed it in the chorus as well as heavy lifting with sets, sponsors and scripts, he makes the point that “we started around this time last year. We looked at certain things – you can only get the rights if you can fly the Witches – and asked, is it feasible to do this?”
L-R: Mayor Kevin Sheahan, Laura Henebry and Dermot Winston – jointly chairing LMS, Cllr. Eddie Ryan
He credits production manager Jacinta Florish with positive research for much and plans took off skyward on high wires and notes.
Buzz buzzed and lead roles were secured by audition in this production where ensemble work is premium. Ultimately ‘The Witches of Eastwick’ took the most valued award of all: “When you look at the Best Overall Show category, everything was right or near right,” states the pragmatic chairman. “Props of the era looked right on stage, the quality of set, the lighting, the sound were correct. The costumes were correct, the chorus had to be right. Leads, singing, orchestra”.
Fabulous, exhausting, collective achievement makes for a rewarding win for Limerick theatre and implicitly, its profile nationally. Well done, Limerick Musical Society. You brought it home in multiples. Next up is ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ with auditions planned for Autumn.
