The Merry Widow promises laughs in Lahinch

MEMBERS of Ennistymon Choral Society will tread the boards next week bringing The Merry Widow to the stage in Lahinch. They began work on the musical back in October with full rehearsals beginning in January for the four-night run, which kicks off next Thursday.

MEMBERS of Ennistymon Choral Society will tread the boards next week bringing The Merry Widow to the stage in Lahinch. They began work on the musical back in October with full rehearsals beginning in January for the four-night run, which kicks off next Thursday.
“The Merry Widow is one of the most beautiful musicals ever written. It is very well known and very famous in musical circles. The music is so fantastic and romantic, it is just so enjoyable. The Merry Widow is often called the queen of operettas and is a real classic,” explains Emma Jane Brown, secretary, Ennistymon Choral Society.
“Another reason we chose The Merry Widow is that the storyline is quite fanciful and is funny. Judging from rehearsals so far, nearly all the principal parts are very funny. Michael McCormack, one of our long-standing leading men, is playing a romantically inclined French man called Camille and his part is particularly funny. The eight principal men also have a show-stopping number called Women, Women and it is definitely worth a viewing I think,” she continues.
According to Emma Jane, the musical is one with broad appeal, especially in the current climate.
“These days, most musical societies need to choose something funny and light-hearted and give people a little escapism for the night, that is what people need everywhere in Ireland not just here in North Clare. The Merry Widow ticks all those boxes for a wonderful evening’s entertainment,” Emma Jane adds.
Caroline Kennedy will play Anna, the titular character, while Danilo will be played by Fergus Cronin. Peter Kennedy will direct the performances while Mary Madigan-O’Callaghan is the musical director.
“We are very lucky to have Caroline Kennedy as Anna, the Merry Widow. It is a very big and demanding part and she is a beautiful soprano. She has had a lot of lead roles both in school with the society ourselves over the past 10 years or so. Opposite her, our leading man is playing Danilo, and his name is Fergus Cronin. Peter Kennedy, the director, has been with us for four or five years now and is a wonderful director to have. He is very prolific in Ireland. He is from the north originally but is based in Galway now. He has won many awards in the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS). We are very lucky to have him, he is great. Mary Madigan O’Callaghan has been with us for over 10 years and she is wonderful. She always puts us through our paces,” Emma Jane continues.
Michael O’Loughlin is the stage manager for this production and he and his wife, Mary, have designed the set and the props.  
The Merry Widow will be held in the Sluagh Hall, Lahinch from March 29 to April 1. Tickets are available from the booking office in the Square, Ennistymon from 2pm to 5pm Tuesday, March 27 and Wednesday, March 28. It will also be open from Thursday, March 29 to Saturday, March 31 inclusive from 11am to 4.30pm. Bookings can also be made by telephone to 065 7071828.