Carrick-on-Suir Musical Society celebrated its proud history and its members in gala show

Carrick-on-Suir Musical Society’s Melodies & Memories show celebrated its proud history of bringing top class amateur musical theatre to the public for 82 years and honoured members who contributed to building that legacy.

The sell-out show at the Strand Theatre last Friday night was a special evening of celebration but also one of nostalgia and some poignancy with the Society honouring those cherished members who passed away in recent years but also celebrating the achievements of current members who have made their mark on the Society both on stage and back stage.

Many of the Society’s top singers past and present gathered on stage to perform well known songs from some of its most memorable shows over the past five decades ranging from the Pirates of Penzance, My Fair Lady and Oklahoma to Jesus Christ Super Star, Evita, Phantom of the Opera and Chess.

You Will Never Walk Alone from Carousel, Elvis Presley's Can’t Help Falling in Love from All Shook Up, I Know Him So Well from Chess, The Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera and The Lambeth Walk from Me and My Girl were among the uplifting, gorgeous songs performed to the audience’s delight during the concert.

Interspersed with the performances were slide shows of photographs showing casts and members from past musicals and pantomimes from the Society's early days in the 1940s to the present. There was also a slide show tribute to members who have died in recent years.

Ray Nolan of Carrick Musical Society (second from right) presents Yvonne Boland, Evin Boland, David Boland are presented with the Paddy Bolan Workshop plaque naming the Strand Theatre’s workshop after the late Paddy Power by Ray Nolan. Ashley Lonergan of Carrick Musical Society is on far right.

The first presentation of the night was made to the family of the late Paddy Boland, who was Carrick Musical Society’s stage manager for many years and won an AIMS award in 1993 for his work on West Side Story.

The Society has named its stage workshop – the Paddy Boland Workshop in his memory. A handcrafted wooden plaque inscribed with the workshop’s name was presented to relatives of Mr Boland, who passed away in 2010. The plaque, made by Liam Gleeson from Fethard, will be erected at the workshop in the Strand Theatre.

Lisa Kelly accepts the Fergus Power Perpetual Trophy on behalf of Keith Dwyer Greene who stepped in as understudy for Caolan at short notice at last yea’'s pantomime, following the passing of Caolan's father Fergus Power. Pictured from left: Cathal Deehy Power, Lisa Kelly, Caolan Deehy Power and Sorcha Deehy Power.

A special tribute was also paid to the late Fergus Power, the Society’s former president and chairman and father of its current chairman Caolan Deehy-Power, who passed away in March.

MC Fiona Hennessy recalled how Fergus had been a member of the Society since 1982 and as well as his roles on the committee, he was a member of the Strand Theatre’s front of house team and noted stage performer who received an AIMS nomination for Comedy for his role in Mikado with a Swing and performed the role of the dame in Society pantos for over a dozen years.

“Fergus Power was one of those rare people who seemed to hold up the walls of the Society,” she said recalling his humour and unforgettable smile.

A slide show of pictures and videos of some of Fergus’ hilarious antics on stage as the panto dame was shown to the audience.

The tribute concluded with members of his family including his widow Annamaria, sons Caolan, Cathal and daughter Sorcha coming on stage to award the new Fergus Power Spirit of Carrick Musical Society Perpetual Trophy to its first recipient – Keith Dwyer Greene.

Keith stepped in at short notice to take over the role of Fester in Carrick Musical Society’s annual Show The Addams Family from Fergus’ son Caolan after the death of his father.

His friend Lisa Kelly accepted the trophy on his behalf as he was unable to attend the Melodies & Memories concert due to performing in Legally Blonde at Cork Opera House.

She read a message from Keith stating he was “honoured” to be the first recipient of the trophy and thanking Carrick Musical Society for choosing him for the award. “I was glad to help my friend at that time because I knew he would do the same for me.”

He said Carrick-on-Suir Musical Society fostered community support and kindness and Fergus perfectly embodied these attributes.

In the second half of the show, Honorary Life Membership was bestowed on nine members of the Society for their huge contribution on stage and back stage.

They included Pat O’Regan, Marion Sheehan, Sylvia Cooney-Sheehan, Helen Hahessy, Catherine Ahern, Audie Murphy, Mala Raggett, Liam Butler and Seamus Power.

Carrick-on-Suir Musical Society’s current musical director Fergal Carroll and his father Danny Carroll holding the wooden plaque naming the Strand Theatre’s orchestra pit after Danny, who was Society’s musical director for over 25 years.

Carrick Musical Society also honoured its former musical director Danny Carroll, whose son Fergal is the Society’s current musical director and led the orchestra at the show.

The Society has named the Strand Theatre’s orchestra pit after the acclaimed musical maestro.

Danny first became involved with the Musical Society playing the trumpet in 1957 and served as its musical director for over 25 years from 1976 to 2002.

A Liam Gleeson made wooden plaque bearing the inscription, the Danny Carroll Orchestra Pit, was presented to him and will be erected at the theatre’s pit in front of the stage.

Danny donned his signature white jacket and took over the conductor’s baton from Fergal after the presentation to conduct performances of Hello Dolly and the Merry Widow Waltz.

Pianist and composer Marion Ingoldsby, whose late father Michael was the Society’s pianist and chorus master for many years, joined him on stage to play the piano for the two songs.

Before Michael Raggett led the Musical Society choir in the final song – Anthem from Chess, AIMS Vice President and MC Seamus Power spoke on stage of how Carrick Musical Society has “stood the test of time through wars, recessions and Covid because of the people who gave their hearts” to the group.

Fellow MC Padraig Sheehan said they owed a debt of gratitude to all who went before them and urged current members to “keep bringing us laughter and keeping sharing the joy”.

“The show must go on and as (the late) Dick Meany said before every production ‘we are the best’, he declared.

The show ended with a well-deserved standing ovation from an appreciative audience.

Check out more photos from Carrick-on-Suir Musical Society's Melodies & Memories concert in the two-page feature on the event published in this week's edition of The Nationalist now on sale in local shops. 

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