Having delighted audiences in Galway last November, the hard work of 9 Arch Claregalway Musical Society's production of Kinky Boots has paid off with the group snagging two awards at the Association of Irish Musical Societies' (AIMS ) 2024 National Musical Theatre Awards.
Bringing home the the coveted 'Best Supporting Actor' and 'Best Choreography' awards, and runner up for the prestigious 'Best Overall Show' and 'Best Visuals' awards, the cast of 9 Arch Claregalway's Kinky Boots have returned home triumphant. In a statement about the win, 9 Arch Claregalway's committee said that the win was a 'real honour'.
"We are absolutely delighted to see Kinky Boots receiving this AIMS Awards this year.
"It was an amazing experience bringing Kinky Boots to the Town Hall Theatre last November. The show has a positive message to 'just be yourself'. It is a real honour to win these awards in these categories and to continue bringing musical theatre to our local community and all-around Galway city and County."
Previous wins
This is the second award for 9 Arch Claregalway's choreographer, Jay Molyneux and actor, Eoin Mullin. In 2020, Mullin was named 'Best Male Singer', with Molyneux taking home 'Best Choreographer' in 2022 for the society's production of Little Shop of Horrors.
Describing the group as being 'particularly thrilled' with their wins, the organisation credited Molyneaux's imagination and creativity for the win.
"The cast of Kinky Boots are particularly thrilled with the Best Choreography nomination, under the talented tutelage and imagination of Jay Molyneux with his fresh choreography in heels and brogues. This was especially true of the featured dancers who played Lola’s Angels."
Molyneaux's creativity joining forces with directors Alan Greaney and Shane Farrell, has, according to the organisation's statement seen the society go from strength to strength since the trio began working together for 2022's Little Shop of Horror, which was named as 'Best Overall Show' at the 2022 AIM awards.
Bringing stories to life
The true value of a production is not just in its performers, but also in how it is staged and visualised to audiences. Named as a runner up for this year's Best Visuals award, the society said that to be nominated was a 'tribute' to director Alan Greaney, set designers Marsha Fleming and Eugene Finnegan, and the work of John Wright alongside Indigo Lighting, who worked together to 'seamlessly transform' the Town Hall Theatre into a shoe factory in Northampton, a night club in London and a runway in Milan.
Buoyed by last weekend's awards, 9 Arch Claregalway Musical Society are now looking towards their next production, Rock of Ages which will be performed in the Town Hall Theatre from November 20 to 23. Auditions for Rock of Ages will take place this weekend.
