Avonmore Musical Society are Killarney bound this weekend for the “Oscars” of Amateur Musical Theatre in Ireland, as a large number of society members travel to the INEC, Gleneagles Hotel, Killarney, Co. Kerry for the AIMS (Association of Irish Musical Societies) Awards. The Awards weekend will be attended by 1200 people representing the 32 counties of Ireland on Saturday 16th June where the cream of Irish Musical Talent across 41 categories will be announced.
Carrying the flag for Avonmore Musical Society will be: Chris Currid who has been nominated for Best Male Singer in the Gilbert Section for his role as “Judas” in the societies recent production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” where he will face competition from Ethan Haddock who played “Rusty” in Fusion Theatre, Lisburn’s, production of “Starlight Express” and Robert Kelly who played “Phantom” in Donegal Youth Musical Theatre production of “Phantom of the Opera.”
Society member Sean Hendley is nominated for Best Comedian in the Gilbert Section for his role as “Franz” in Teacher’s Musical Society, Dublin, in their production of “The Producers” with competition from Fionan O’ Carroll who played “Robbie” in “The Wedding Singer” staged by Newbridge Musical Society and Derek Shannon who played “Horace” in New Ross M.S. production of “Top Hat. Naoimh Penston, who was Musical Director for Avonmore Musical Society this year, has been nominated for the Spirt of AIMS/Adjudicator’s Special Award “for doing machine like work as an excellent Deloris Van Cartier, while also serving as Musical Director for the same production of “Sister Act” with Carnew Musical Society and will face competition from Fusion Theatre, Lisburn for their production of “Starlight Express” and James Dobbs and Eilish Coady from New Ross Musical Society’s production of “Top Hat”.
Another member of the Society Rob Vickers has also been nominated, in the Sullivan Section, for Best Male Singer with South Eastern Theatre Group, Waterford, where he played the role of “Jesus” in their production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” The other nominees in this section will see Kevin Fagan who played “Jesus” in St. Mary’s Musical Society, Navan of “Jesus Christ Superstar and John Murphy, Tipperary Musical Society who played the “Pirate King” in Tipperary Musical Society’s production of “Pirates of Penzance” provide the line-up. Robert also played the same lead role with Avonmore Musical Society in this year’s production of “Jesus Christ Superstar”.
The society are thrilled and delighted for all four and hoping that some of the “gongs” will make their way back to Arklow following the announcements on Saturday night. Congrats and best wishes to all. Wishing all our friends across the country and neighboring societies including Gorey Musical society who are up for Best Stage Management with Paul Doran as Stage Manager for their production of “The Wizard of Oz” and featured another two society members, Tomas Byrne and Brendan Kenny. Best of luck guys….
2019 sees the society celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the society and plans are underway to mark the occasion. The AGM of the society takes place on Tuesday 26th June in the Arklow Bay Hotel, at 8pm, where all paid up members can attend and elect a new committee for the 2018/2019 year.
Watch out for details and announcement of this year’s show.
