New musical society for Mullingar

A new AIMS(Association of Irish Musical Societies)-affiliated musical society is about to launch in Mullingar and is already planning to stage what will be its debut musical production in 2020.

Mullingar and District Musical Society, or MAD for short, is hosting a launch party in The Greville Arms Hotel this Saturday September 14 at 7.30pm.

On the night MAD will showcase some exciting live performances from the likes of Joanne MacDonagh, Michaela Hogg, Laura Allen and James Craig, along with offering refreshments and information on the society and how those interested can become a part of this exciting new venture.

“We are a brand new musical society which will cater to all adults 18 plus in Mullingar and the surrounding areas on an annual basis,” says chairperson Chris Corroon, who earlier this year won an AIMS award in the Gilbert section – the highest section of the AIMS Awards – for Best Male Singer in Tullamore Musical Society’s production of Jekyll and Hyde.

“Our ethos with this new society is fun, inclusion and high standard musical theatre productions within the Irish amateur circuit,” he said.

“We will be affiliated with AIMS – the Association of Irish Musical Societies – whose awards take place in Killarney each year. This is a great, fun and rewarding weekend for anyone who has a passion or is enthusiastic about musical theatre.”

PRO Shane Barkey says the idea to have a musical society in Mullingar was born out of the fact that so many talented local people travel to the likes of Clara, Tullamore and Athlone to take part in musical productions.

“There’s some fantastic musical societies in the midlands – Clara, Tullamore and Athlone – and some of us have been travelling the last few years to go and do shows in those societies and they are all AIMS affiliated,” said Shane.

“There hasn’t been a musical society that’s affiliated with AIMS in Mullingar for a number of years. The AIMS affiliation is the exciting thing, it will be an incentive for people to want to work hard and do well,” he said.

“There’s so much talent in Mullingar, we’re very well known throughout the country as the musical capital of Ireland... We hope to welcome people from all over the midlands to Mullingar to participate in our productions.”

A committee has already been formed and consists of Chris Corroon as chairperson; Andrina Finch as president; secretaries Clare Egan and Marie Brennan; Shane Barkey as PRO; treasurer Amanda Cunningham; and committee members Fionnuala Conroy, Rita Gilmartin, Gill McGurran.

Shane admits that they are in the early stages of choosing a show for 2020 and fundraising will commence shortly as it can cost upwards €20,000 to stage a musical production of merit.

“We’re looking forward to this new venture and we’re hoping that people in the community and budding performers, will come and join us and give us their support.”

So, whether you are a performer or have never been on stage before, Mullingar and District Musical Society are inviting you along to the launch party this Saturday.