STAINER’S ‘CRUCIFIXION’ IN LISMORE

The Lismore and St Carthage’s Cathedral Choirs combine for a liturgical performance of ‘The Crucifixion’ subtitled ‘A Meditation On the Sacred Passion of The Holy Redeemer’ by John Stainer on this coming Sunday (Palm Sunday), March 16th, 2008 in St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore at 3p.m.

‘The Crucifixion’ had its first performance in February, 1877. ‘The Crucifixion’ maintains its popularity all over the world as a meditation for Good Friday. Stainer composed this work to facilitate a need for Passion music.

The work is famous for its hymns, in which the congregation is intended to join. Recitatives, solos and choruses make up the other parts. Robert Beare tenor, a renowned teacher of vocal technique has performed this work many times before with his brother the Very Rev’d William Beare, bass, Dean of St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore who has also sung Stainer’s cantata in many Cork churches and further afield.

Colin Nicholls will be the organist and Carmel O’Shea of Lismore Choir will conduct. It should be a fitting introduction to meditation for Holy Week.

FREDDIE WHITE BOOKED IN FOR KILWORTH GIG

Freddie White, who has long been synonymous with music of the highest quality, plays a very special gig in Kilworth’s Village Arts Centre on Monday night, April 14. Whether interpreting songs by his favourite writers, such as Randy Newman, Tom Waits, John Hiatt and Guy Clark, or performing his own classy compositions, Freddie’s live performances are nothing short of legendary.

Freddie has been part of the fabric of the live music scene in Ireland since the 1970s and his albums continue to sell well, amongst his loyal and new-found fan base. Born in Cobh, County Cork into a musical family, by age thirteen Freddie was playing in school bands and by seventeen playing professionally.

At nineteen, he moved to London, where he busked in subways, and developed his unique voice and guitar style. In 1974, he was a founding member of ‘Scullion’, together with Philip King and Sonny Condell. His first album, ‘Live on Tour’, recorded by Nicky Ryan while touring with Clannad, brought him national attention.

His second album, ‘Do You Do’, was the biggest selling Mulligan Label album of 1981. With these early albums, Freddie introduced an eclectic repertoire of music, which spanned musical genres and eras, to an Irish audience. Freddie’s new album, Stormy Lullaby marks the first album to be released by the Cork musician for 3 years. ‘Stormy Lullaby’ showcases what Freddie does best – that is ‘get inside’ and deliver heartrending, troubled love songs in a manner guaranteed to stop you in your tracks.

It is often said of Freddie that he does not merely ‘cover’ great songs; more often than not he improves on the originals. Indeed, if this were not the case, he would surely be more highly revered for his own songwriting accomplishments. His keen ear for quality songs, undisputed talent for interpretation and exemplary songwriting skills, stand out in this, the newest and most intimate offering from Freddie White, to date.

‘Stormy Lullaby’ is a collection of eleven songs. Some tracks are newly written, while others (not previously recorded by Freddie) have proven their worth by becoming firm favourites with his live audiences.

A BIG WEEKEND OF DRAMA RESULTS

This weekend will bring results from a number of drama festivals which hopefully will mean good news for local groups. Ballyduff Drama Group has already recorded a win with ‘Caught In The Net’ at the Dublin Drama Festival at the weekend and look forward to playing their own festival this Thursday.

With a second place each, Brideview Players Tallow (‘The Glass Menagerie’) and The Palace Players (‘The Band’) will be hopeful of adding to their tally. West Cork group, Kilmeen (‘The Cripple Of Inishmaan’) have two third places recorded and, having lifted the All-Ireland trophy two years ago, will be anxious to make it back to Athlone later this year. Charleville’s Shoestring Theatre Group (‘Philadelphia, Here I Come’) have a win to their credit from the Castleisland festival (keeping Brideview Players out of first place) and, judging by reports, may well add another win or two to their tally.

Their near neighbours, Anvil (‘The Importance Of Being Earnest’) also have points on the board with a third place recorded. The Co Wexford group, Bunclody/Kilmishall, who took first place from The Palace Players in Kilmuckridge with ‘Crystal And Fox’, head the league table with two wins out of three festivals. Last year’s All-Ireland winners, Silken Thomas (‘Philadelphia, Here I Come’), who played the Ballyduff festival on Tuesday night, have one win and a second place from three festivals.

Congratulations to Vanessa Hyde on taking the ‘best actress’ award in Castleisland and to Kevin McCormack who took the ‘best actor’ award in Dublin. As the saying goes, watch this space!

WELL DONE, BRIDEVIEW PLAYERS

Well done to all at Brideview Drama who are starting to pick up major awards as they tour with their production of ‘The Glass Menagerie’ by Tennessee Williams, around Ireland’s annual series of drama competitions for best full-length play.

Jack Aherne, the director, picked up second place at Castleisland, Co Kerry last week, for his interpretation of the play, while Vanessa Hyde won ‘best actress’ in her portrayal of the character Amanda.

This week sees a slew of performances in competition by Brideview, with shows in Gorey, Co Wexford; Doonbeg, Co Clare and Ballyduff, Co Waterford (at the West Waterford Drama Festival). Next week sees the last two competitions at Rossmore, Co Cork and New Ross, Co Wexford. Everyone in Tallow and the surrounding area is wishing the group all the best with the production.

Hopefully, the production will win enough points to make it to the All-Ireland finals in Athlone in May, and we’ll see the entire group strut their stuff at a national level!

ALL TO PLAY FOR AT WEST WATERFORD DRAMA FESTIVAL

The curtain went up on the 27th West Waterford Drama Festival in Ballyduff on Thursday night last with recently appointed Waterford City manager and Ballyduff native, Michael Walsh performing the official opening.

Conna Dramatic Society got the competition underway with their presentation of ‘Sharon’s Grave’ by John B Keane which was very well received by a mainly local audience. The Palace Players staged ‘The Band’ by Liam Howard on Friday night and despite having to go on without one of the cast who was ill, gave a credible performance with Noelle Clarke, who plays the part of Susan, going on to read the part of Lydia. Well done Noelle!

Two of the heavyweights, Dundalk Theatre Workshop (‘Dangerous Liaisons’ by Christopher Hampton) and Kilmeen (Martin McDonagh’s ‘The Cripple Of Innishmaan’) brought the first weekend to a highly satisfactory conclusion. Co Limerick group, Anvil Players took to the stage on Monday night with Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Importance Of Being Earnest’ followed on Tuesday night by last year’s All-Ireland winners, Silken Thomas with Brian Friel’s ‘Philadelphia, Here I Come’.

With no performance on Wednesday night, patrons will have had a chance to recharge the batteries and be keenly anticipating the final four productions.

On this Thursday night (13th) it’s the turn of the local Ballyduff Drama Group with the hugely enjoyable farce, ‘Caught In The Net’ by Ray Cooney. Friday sees the second confined group (Ferns) with ‘By The Bog Of Cats’; Saturday features the last of the open groups - Brideview Drama Group with ‘The Glass Menagerie’ by Tennessee Williams and the final night will bring Holycross/Ballycahill with ‘Love In The Title’ by Hugh Leonard.

So, still some great drama to come over the weekend with the final decision regarding placings and awards to be taken by adjudicator, Mr Colin Dolly on Sunday night. Enquiries re tickets, etc to 058-60456 (2-8pm).