Athlone Musical Society reviewed a memorable year and looked to the future at its recently hosted AGM in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel.
Outgoing chairperson, Joan Larkin, gave an overview of the Society’s year - its 120th - and what a great year it was. Joan thanked the production team, cast, crew, and committee for putting in the hard work that was required to bring ‘All Shook Up’ to the stage over the June Bank Holiday weekend. It was a bold decision to stage the musical outside its normal March dates, but it proved to be a great one. The show played to full houses and the quality of the production was recognised in a record-breaking 10 AIMS nominations. The Society won five awards and were runners-up in the prestigious ‘Best Show’ category. Joan acknowledged the immense support from local businesses and the community, which is vital to the Society continued success.
Following on from the outstanding success of the 2022 production of ‘All Shook up’, the committee was tasked with the difficult job of choosing a show for 2023. After much deliberation it has been decided that the Society will stage ‘Chess’ in March 2023.
With music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of the pop group ABBA and lyrics by Ulvaeus and Tim Rice, the musical is set in 1984 - the height of the Cold War. Two chess masters meet in Bangkok to battle for the world championship, but their greatest contest is for the love of one woman. ‘Chess’ has been a much-loved musical since its very first staging and people will instantly recognise songs such as ‘One night in Bangkok’, and ‘I know him so well’, which became international hits.
“We wanted to bring something a bit different to the Athlone audience and we feel we have done this in choosing ‘Chess’ for our next production. We are delighted to bring back our award-winning production team of Alfie Kilduff (Director ), Ger Madden (Musical Director ) and Jay Molyneux (Choreographer ) who will put their unique stamp on the musical. We are sure audiences will love the production and we cannot wait to cast the show and get into rehearsals,” chairperson, Joan Larkin, enthused.
A new committee was elected for the upcoming season with Joan Larkin being re-elected as chairperson. Benny Irwin was re-elected as President of the Society. Joan is joined on the committee by Cherise O’Moore (vice-chairperson ), Lisa-Ann Roche (secretary ) and Veronica Dalton (treasurer ). Mike Keena was nominated as Business Manager. The PRO team comprises Laura Hannon (social media ), Emer Kilroy (print ), and Celine Slevin (programme ). Caoimhe Crosadell, Hannah Dowling and Eunan Keyes make up the committee team.
The new committee are wasting no time in getting to work on the 2023 production. Auditions will be held shortly to cast the show and details will be announced once finalised. The production will run in the Dean Crowe Theatre in early March 2023.
