No escaping Clonvicts this Christmas

CLONVICTS: The Musical, an original Christmas musical variety show, is the latest production from Clonlara’s award-winning Underdog Theatre Group.
With live onstage acts combined with short films, Clonvicts tells the fairy tale story of Nancy Clancy, a sad and lonely woman who gets in trouble with the law. While in court, she meets a group of misfits like herself, all of whom are sentenced to put on a musical variety show for charity in Clonlara. 
The “show within a show” means there are plenty of chances for singing, dancing, and laughs galore, featuring actors from the Clonlara, Truagh, Ardnacrusha and Corbally areas.
“After the success of last year’s show, Clondog Millionaire, we definitely wanted to put on another show at Christmas,” says Patricia Galvin, Underdog Theatre Group committee member, who portrays the evil Judge Judy Moody in Clonvicts. 
“We decided to write our own show again this year and to use as many kids and adults from Clonlara as we can in the film and live parts,” Patricia adds. Consequently, the show will feature 15 young actors, four adults and the 42-member choir from Clonlara National school will perform, along with the St Senan Gospel Youth Choir under the direction of Martina Meskil.
But what motivates the all-volunteer Underdog Theatre Group?
“For a small village, Clonlara has loads of talent,” says Jill Haskett Dilmac, who plays lead character Nancy Clancy. “Underdog Theatre is a chance for people to come out, put on a show, have some fun and raise much-needed funds for our school and our local community. It’s a great way to entertain people as well and to get everyone involved,” she explained.
Last year, the Clonlara amateur theatre group raised over €3,500 for Clonlara Community Centre and Clonlara National School. Both will benefit from this year’s production also.
There has been a great buzz in the village since rehearsals for the production, which is being directed by Ronan O’Boyle, who has directed a number of short films, started last September. There are between 30 and 40 members who are involved in the film, which is introduced in the middle of the live part of the show.
Jennifer Stritch said the group expectS a large turnout for the show as it provides families and individuals with an ideal opportunity to enjoy themselves for a night in the midst of all the doom and gloom.
Performances of Clonvicts will take place at the Clonlara Sports Centre on December 19 at 4pm and on  December 20 and 21 at 8pm. Tickets are available by calling 087 6624109 or 087 9450179.