New book on local musical societies

Writer Joe Connolly has just published his latest book on local musical societies, this time a look at 60 years of the societies in Newbridge and the Curragh Camp.

'Musical Theatre from Behind the Spotlight' is in three parts. Part 1 looks at the early days in Newbridge and includes reviews from the late 1800s up to and including the Newbridge Community Band, Patrician Boys School shows — including the Bi-Centenary show 1808 to 2008 — and the Dominican College Operatic Society 1938 to 1948.

Part 2 concentrates on the Droichead Nua Musical Society that formed in 1952 and was forced out of the town because of lack of facilities and moved to the Curragh Camp and became the Curragh Musical Society. This society is review, year by year, from 1956 to 1979.

Part 3 takes up when the Curragh Musical Society was forced to close due to the demands on security within the Curragh Camp. A musical society was reformed in Newbridge in 1980 — the Newbridge Musical Society. It has just completed its 35th production. Joe reviews this Society up to and including 2002.

The book is 244 pages, with over 700 photographs. It is available for €15 in Farrell’s Book Shop, Main Street, Newbridge or email playlight@eircom.net.