Castlebar Musical and Dramatic Society held the launch of their upcoming production, ‘South Pacific', on Wednesday 9th Nov 2016. The classic Broadway musical will be performed on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of December 2016 in the Breaffy Arena, Castlebar, with a cast of over 50 performers. There will be an evening performance each night at 8pm with an additional matinee performance on the 3rd December at 2.30pm.

Cast members pictured at the launch of the musical 'South Pacific', which will be held in the Breaffy Arena, on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of December. The Honey bun dancers Front l-r; Denise Brown, Angela Gavin, Trina Hennelly, Cathy Coyne and Claire O’Grady. Back l-r; Mary McNicholas, Michelle Finnerty, Aishling Murphy, Joanne Feegan, Aoife Durkan, Natalie Byrne, Angeline Williams and Aileen Feeney. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2016.

This is the third production for the successful Castlebar Musical and Dramatic Society following their award-winning production of ‘Oklahoma!' in 2014 and the hugely enjoyable ‘Fiddler on the Roof' last year. The society continued their focus on large Broadway-style musicals for the third year as explained by director, Alanna Ní Mhíocháin: "We founded this society suspecting that there was a lot of top-class singing, dancing and acting talent in Castlebar and the surrounding area. We wanted to provide an outlet for that talent. For the last three years, we have chosen classic musicals that allow for a big cast so that we can get as many of those talented individuals as possible on stage for the show. We have been completely overwhelmed with the level of musical talent that exists in the area and we are set to put on another excellent show this year."
‘South Pacific' is set on a US Navy base on a small island during World War 2. It tells two love stories. One of a French planter who has settled on the island falling in love with a naïve and bubbly nurse from the USA. The other is the story of a young ambitious Lieutenant falling for a beautiful girl native to the island. The show, first produced on Broadway in 1949, was ahead of its time in how it deals with the themes of racism and war.

Cast members pictured at the launch of the musical 'South Pacific', which will be held in the Breaffy Arena, on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of December. The Bally Hi dancers Front l-r; Marie Moran, Bernadette Fraser, Joanne Feegan and Ann Cooley. Back l-r; Mary McAteer, Denise Brown, Mary McNicholas, Catherine Healy, Anna Marie Dowling, Angeline Williams and Aileen Feeney. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2016.

Some of the most well-loved songs from Broadway are found in this show including ‘Some Enchanted Evening', ‘I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair' and ‘Younger Than Springtime'. Rehearsals have been underway since the beginning of September and the show is well on its way to becoming another superb production delivered by this local award-winning group.

Cast members pictured at the launch of the musical 'South Pacific', which will be held in the Breaffy Arena, on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of December. The male Chorus l-r; Kevin Murphy, Eric Fitzgerald and Tony Cunningham. Back l-r; Jim Finan, Jimmy Feeney, Gerry Ryder, Daniel McNamara, Stephen Grady and Pat McHale. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2016.

More information about the show or the society can be found on their website www.cmds.ie or by following Castlebar Musical and Dramatic Society on facebook and Twitter. Enquiries can also be made to 086-1610652.

Cast members pictured at the launch of the musical 'South Pacific', which will be held in the Breaffy Arena, on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of December. The production team l-r; Deidre Leigh, musical director, Donna Ruane, producer and Alanna Ní Mhiochain, director. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2016.

Cast members pictured at the launch of the musical 'South Pacific', which will be held in the Breaffy Arena, on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of December 2016. Some of the principal cast members l-r; Deborah Kenny, Donna Ruane, Eric Fitzgerald, Vivienne Leigh and Stephanie Cassell. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2016.

Cast members pictured at the launch of the musical 'South Pacific', which will be held in the Breaffy Arena, on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of December, the runners l-r; Una Geraghty, Claire Guerin, Monica Conway, Marie Tuohy, Fiona Kennedy, Helen Halligan, Sandra Claxton and Emma Kilkelly. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2016.