New Pirates ready to set sail

East Clare Musical Society will this year present The New Pirates of Penzance, the hilarious Australian version of the original Gilbert and Sullivan production.
This comical, pumped-up version has been in production since September with the local cast and crew working hard to make it a cracker of a show. Performances will be held at Scariff Community College Hall each night from Thursday December 13 to Sunday, December 16. Doors open at 7.15pm and curtain goes up at 8pm nightly.
Marie Bugler, PRO for the East Clare Musical Society outlines what the show is about and who will be involved.
“We have a huge cast this year and the ladies will be happy to know lots of pirate men as well as the usual troupe of elaborate ladies. The scene is set in Cornwall where the famous Pirates of Penzance are gathered to say farewell to Frederic, their apprentice who at midday will be out of his indenture.
“Frederic imagines he must be in love with Ruth, who is the only woman he has ever seen and is in fact his nursery maid who apprenticed him as a child to the pirates instead of to a pilot. Suddenly a crowd of beautiful girls arrive and he is smitten with the mellifluous Mabel. Danger is at hand, however, as the pirates return, grab a first rate opportunity and seize the damsels,” she said.
With a Major General, a Sergeant of Police, The Pirate King, three interesting lassies, a bunch of rogue pirates, policemen and dancing ladies, this show is full of exciting twists and turns with plenty of laughs.
“Since our first show in 2005, we have given many hours of fun and laughter and maybe even a few tears along the way. This year will be no exception. We strive every year to encourage, promote and present amateur musical theatre from within the East Clare region and make it accessible to all,” Marie added.
Directing this year’s production is Peter Kennedy who is acclaimed across the musical theatre scene in Ireland. Ulster born Peter is a writer and composer and he has been responsible for the creation of God Bless Archie Dean, which East Clare Musical Society staged in 2006.
Peter, who now resides in Galway, has worked on over 200 productions with numerous societies and has directed 82 different musicals. He has also won numerous awards for direction, choreography, comedy, straight acting and three special awards for his contribution to musical theatre in Ireland. He is also the director of the AIMS Summer Youth Workshop in Thurles and Encore Youth Theatre Company in Galway.
“We are indeed fortunate and delighted in East Clare to have him on board this year, though he has warned us of walking the plank should we not tow the line,” Marie said.
Musical director for The New Pirates of Penzance is Noel Lennon who returns to the society for a second year. Noel holds a BA Music in Performance and Composition and MA in Ethnomusicology and has a long list of impressive credentials for the job.
“Noel has also toured as pianist/musical director in the UK and Ireland and he formed Music Theatre West Professional Performance Company in 2007. We are thrilled to have Noel return to us this year after a very successful All Shook Up last year. He is assisted this year by our very own Johnnie O’Brien who had been our musical director for five years,” Marie outlined.
Rehearsals have been in full swing and the society is really looking forward to this production.
“We really appreciate the support of our families and friends and the East Clare community who come out in huge numbers every year, especially in the current times and climate,” Marie said.
This year, the society will have family tickets available from the box office on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Booking details will also be available from Treacy’s Service Station and Centra in Scariff and at Tuohys in Coose, Whitegate.