Tag Archives: AIMS

THEY may had to cut this year’s show short due to Covid-19, but the Ennis Musical Society still managed to hit the high notes at this year’s AIMS awards. The local group, who had to cancel this year’s production of Seussical the Musical just days into its run, took home the title of Best Programme at the annual awards which Rachael Culligan, chairperson of Ennis Musical Society has described as the “equivalent of the Tony Awards” in amateur musical society circles. The society had a total of three nominations in the competition, also coming in runners up in the Best Actor category for Brian Roche and Best Singer for Hazel Park. “We were delighted with the win, and we were delighted to get nominated in three categories because it’s not easy to get an AIMS nomination. The AIMS amongst the musical creative circles is quite highly regarded, it’s the amateur equivalent to the Tony Awards.” She paid tribute to all …

FOUNDED in 1953, Ennis Musical Society has been responsible for bringing the most popular Broadway and West End shows to a County Clare audience and this year is no different, as it embarks on a milestone performance. Ennis Musical Society’s 60th show is the dark comedy, Little Shop of Horror. The Franciscan Order is the foundation on which the Ennis Muscial Society breathed its first life and, in 1953, the society, then known as the Friary Choral, took its first steps onto the amateur stage. Under the dedicated direction of its founder, the late Fr Eunan OFM, it held its début performance of The Country Girl at the New Hall, which was known locally as Paddy Con’s/The Jet Club and is now home to Madden’s Furniture. It took six years before it staged its next production, Wild Violets, in May 1959. The revived society was by then known as the Franciscan Musical Society. Someone who has been involved since the …

Shannon Musical Society took home two of the three awards they were nominated for at the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) annual music theatre awards, which were held in Killarney at the weekend. The society, which staged Legally Blonde this year, scooped the Spirit of AIMS award, the Jan Canavan Trophy, for the Delta Nu sextet as well as the Mary Kitt Trophy for Best House Management. Commenting on the portrayal of the Delta Nus, the judges said the “the joint effort from the director, the choreographer and the stage manager saw six highly talented young performers not only act, sing and dance brilliantly as a team but their choreographed scene changes were a superbly original and creative feature of the show”. Karen Barrett of the society was also nominated for the Mary Kelly Award, which is a special award for the great contribution a person has given to a society. There were 11 nominees in this award category and unfortunately Karen lost out on the overall award. The society have recently announced that their show for next year will …

Shannon Musical Society  is still celebrating its most successful haul of trophies in 21 years, after capturing six awards at the “musical Oscars”. Members came home from the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) with awards, with arms full of trophies last weekend. More than 1,100 people attended the glittering awards ceremony in Killarney’s INEC at the weekend. The most coveted award is for Best Overall Show and Shannon were delighted to receive second place, against stiff competition. The last time they were nominated for this award was in 2006, for The Wiz. Prior to that, it was for The Hot Mikado in 2000. The society was nominated for six awards after its production of Jesus Christ Superstar, which was staged last February. These included nominations for Best Front of House, Best Ensemble, Best Director, Best Overall Show, Best Visuals and Best Technical. SMS has won many awards over the years but not since 1993 has it been nominated for …