With the Musical Society run a little earlier than usual this year - from Sun 18th of Feb ( Matinee at 6.00 p.m ) to Sat. 24th , Committee members, cast , crew and supporters are nervous that the calendar change may cause their usual audiences to miss out - consequently the early launch.

This is the first time ever that the Society are performing this well known Broadway Musical made famous when it transferred to screen and Gene Kelly' s singing and splashing.

Announcing the run Society Chairperson Gerry Sweeney provided the details of the run in the Town Hall theatre which commences with curtain up at 8.00 p.m. and alluded to the fact that the Society would have over 70 individuals on stage and off involved in keeping alive the Musical / Light Opera tradition of some 103 years in the locality.

He paid tribute to cast and crew for the long hours of dedication and commitment in the rehearsals, the Director. Choreographer Mary Mc Donagh, Associate Director Steffen Jorgensen, Musical Director John Gilligan and Chorus Mistress Clare Brennan Feehily for their involvement. He also singled out the wonderful support and patronage the Society receives from the towns and locality sponsors ,donors and patrons who each year practically cover 55% of the running costs associated with the event.

Two committed and synonymous characters of the Town Hall Theatre whether off stage and on and indeed past Officers of the Musical Society Committee - Pat Mc Govern and Pat Joe Guinnessy were conferred with the noble distinction of honourary life membership of the Society at the launch .

The Show promises to be fast, funny and will no doubt be of the usual high standard that audiences and supporters of the Society have come to expect over the past few years.

The principals this year are again drawn from the locality in the main with Kenneth Kennedy paying the lead Don Lockwood and Bernie Dudgeon as Lisa Lamont , James O' Hagan makes a welcome return playing RF Simpson and Mike O' Reilly plays Roscoe Dexter. Eoin Croffy takes the part this year of Cosmo Brown while Frances Leahey plays Dora Bailey. Other parts involve Jacinta Keane as Zelda Zanders, Vrid Walsh as Olga Maria, Eoin quinn as Rod, and Maria Griffin as Miss Dinsmore with Michael Kelly as the Production singer / Tenor and Michael Walsh playing Sid Philips.

With Rehearsals in final swing and many late nights ahead in the Town Hal Theatre the group are still looking for those who can lend a hand backstage, in front of house or with make up - just give the Chairperson a call - on 087 6928236 - I f you have the time and an interest in something different.

The Booking Office is again being facilitated in the Credit Union Offices in Main St. from Monday the 12th and can be contacted by calling 086 1221123.

Pictured at the launch of Ballinasloe Musical Society's forthcoming production of ?Singin' in the Rain' in Gullanes Hotel on Monday Feb 5th.
Cast members:
Back Row (Left to Right): Philip Blake, Patrick Kenirons, Eoin Quinn, Michael Walsh & Mark O'Connell.
Middle Row: Jessica Holland, Nicola Ward, Emma Renehan
Front Row (Left to Right): Siobhan O'Connor, Hannah Kelly, Rachel Goode (Katy Selden) Amy Monaghan & Brid Walsh.

Click here for more images from the launch