Variety and fun promised by new ‘MAD’

A night of glitz, glam and sparkle got Mullingar's newest musical offering, MAD Musical Society, off to a great start on Saturday night in the Greville Arms Hotel.

The launch of MAD Musical Society, the new AIMS (Association of Irish Musical Societies) affiliated outlet for musical theatre in Mullingar and the surrounding areas, got underway with two hours of talented performances, a taste of what is in store in the future.

The group's main aim, says Chris Corroon, is to put on "a very high standard of musical theatre" in Mullingar, one that can cater to the adults of the town and its surrounding areas.

"We want everyone to be involved and have fun, but one of our biggest aims is to put on a very high standard of musical theatre in Mullingar because the talent here and across the surrounding areas is immense," chairperson Chris Corroon, explains.

"The idea for MAD Musical Society started a while ago. There's so many fantastic societies in Mullingar like the Charity Variety Group, Mullingar Arts Centre, there was a lot of outlets for the youth.

"But the idea to bring a new musical society on an annual basis to Mullingar was for the adults, because they have a lot of talent to share, there's so much talent far and wide," he continues.

And the depth of talent was on display on the night, with Shane Barkey promising "You're in for a treat tonight" introducing fabulous performers from Mullingar and the surroundings areas." Michaela Hogg got things underway with Good Morning Baltimore from Hairspray; followed by Cherise O’Moore with Journey To The Past from Anastasia. Linda Murray performed A New Life from Jekyll and Hyde, while Jay Origan sang In Short from Edges. Daniel Egerton wowed the audience with Waving Through A Window from Dear Evan Hansen, while James Craig sang I Believe from Book Of Mormon, before Chris Corroon took to the stage with Bring Him Home from Les Miserables.

Amanda Cunningham and Paul Doolin did Suddenly Seymour from Little Shop Of Horrors, John Conroy did a fabulous rendition of Why, God, Why? From Miss Saigon, and Amanda Cunningham sang Fabulous, Baby! From Sister Act. Sinead Handy performed Legally Blonde, while Eleanor MacDonagh and Paul Doolin dueted Master Of The House from Les Miserables. Conor Leavy performed Who I’d Be from Shrek The Musical, Joanne MacDonagh - 'With Your' from Ghost The Musical, James Craig and Laura Allen - The Point Of No Return from The Phantom of the Opera, Maedhbh Hughes - Somewhere That Green from Little Shop Of Horrors, before the ensemble performed Can’t Help Falling In Love from All Shook Up and Eleanor MacDonagh finished with Cabaret.

The name, MAD Musical Society stands for Mullingar and District, and Chris says the title was purposely crafted so that the group is open to everyone, not just those in Mullingar.

"We called ourselves Mullingar And District because we do want to involve the surrounding areas of Mullingar, we don't want to keep it solely to Mullingar We want the likes of Kinnegad, Castlepollard, Delvin, Killucan, all the surrounding areas to join the society and be part of our family."

Both he and Shane Barkey "put the feelers out" to see what people would think of a new musical society, and "the interest was huge". A committee was subsequently formed, with Chris as chair of the group, Shane Barkey as PRO, Andrina Finch as president of MAD Musical Society, Marie Brennan and Claire Egan as secretaries, Amanda Cunningham as treasurer, and Fionnuala Conroy, Rita Gilmartin and Jill McGurran.

"MAD Musical Society is for everybody, we want everybody no matter who you are, where you're from, whether you think you're the strongest singer, dancer, actor or not," continues Chris, who says musical theatre does amazing things for people's confidence, their wellbeing, and their mental health.

"We are encouraging people to get out of the house, come down and join us because it's done wonders for us and I've made some absolutely brilliant friends over the years," he says.

Chris also points out that if you've two left feet, can't sing, dance or act, there's is still a job for you behind the scenes.

"We will be totally transparent with you all, everyone that's involved in MAD Musical Society will have a say in how the society is run and where we will go in the future."

High calibre musical shows are expensive to stage however and so over the next six months, the committee plans to run a series of fundraisers, starting with a Bingo Bongo night in the Greville on October 12.

Meanwhile, MAD Musical Society's first show is scheduled to take to the stage this time next year.