IT’S certainly good ‘nudes’ for four local charities following the amazing success of the Ennis Players production of Calendar Girls. A fantastic €31,000 has been raised over the play’s four-night run in Glór, with the amount expected to rise even further.

Ennis Players are the donating proceeds to Cahercalla Hospice, Sláinte an Chláir Cancer Centre; the West Clare Mini Marathon Cancer Centre and the Alzheimer’s Day Care Centre in Ennis.

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According to Ennis Players, the show was such a success that they have not ruled out returning their 40th anniversary production to the stage.  Chairperson Jackie Scanlan said, “The cast and crew need a much-deserved break but, who knows, we might just look at running it for two nights in October or November. In the meantime, we will be concentrating on our annual supper theatre in The Old Ground Hotel. To those lucky enough to get tickets for the Calendar Girls, we thank you for your continued support and helping us raise such an outstanding figure”.

Cormac O’Sullivan of Ennis Players added, “The reaction from the audience each night was simply incredible for those both onstage and offstage.”
The Clare Champion were media partners with Ennis Players on this charity production and, according to Cormac, “The Ennis Players, celebrating their 40th anniversary, could not have asked for a better media partner, The Clare Champion and their award-winning photographer John Kelly. To say the play was the talk of the town would be an understatement. National airwaves were alive with commentary of the Clare Champion front page photographs, messages of good wishes were received from all over the globe and requests have been received for autographed copies of the calendar.

“Of course, it wasn’t just about putting on a memorable play. Directed by Allen Flynn, he wanted to ensure the amateur production was as good as you’d see on the professional stage and by doing so, with the help of our media partners, raise as much funds for the chosen charities.”

John Galvin, managing director of The Clare Champion, congratulated all involved in putting on a great show and raising vital funds for the four worthy causes.

“The Clare Champion was delighted to be associated with such a fantastic event. I would like to congratulate Ennis Players on their 40 years of existence in the town. It is great that four local charities are to benefit from the €31,000 raised and also I would like to congratulate the cast and crew, particularly the six brave ladies who bared all for their art.”

As well as performing in the show, the cast and crew also posed for their own fundraising calendar. High demand is already outstripping supply and additional calendars have gone to print, which will be available from next week at The Old Ground Hotel, the offices of DNG O’Sullivan Hurley and The Clare Champion.