If there is any lingering perception of scouts as spending their time learning to tie knots and start campfires by rubbing sticks together, it was completely changed for those who were at last Thursday night’s Variety Concert in the Town Hall Theatre,
writes Brian Byrne.
The 9th Kilcullen Troop delivered a professional grade evening of music, song and drama, devised by Rani Grennell of the Kings & Clowns Drama School and with contributions from adult musical groups.
The Concert was in aid of the families who lost their homes in the recent Millfield Manor fire, and it raised €858 for the fund.
The event revealed some major young talent, with sketches, mime and music presentations from the Cubs, Beavers and Ventures of the Troop, along with performances by Leaders. Young dancers from the Jennifer Landers School also showed their prowess.
The adult performances were by the Saxophone Quartet from the Ballymore Brass Band, the harmony singing group Maca, and the Ann Daly Trad Band. Actor and singer Michael Grennell led an ensemble opening and closing of the show, for which Stephen Biddulph did a masterful job as MC, and accompaniment where required was by Owen Doyle.
Standout performances from the cast included the ‘Rat it Up’ choral verse from the Cubs, an intriguing mime presentation by the Beavers, and ‘The Army’ and ‘Giovanni’s Cafe’ sketches by the Ventures.
Young Sadbh Neville’s renditions of ‘Where is Love?’ and ‘Is this Home?’ showed a level of musical promise which could lead her to professional heights if she wants to, while the contemporary songs performed by Abigail Dunne to her own guitar accompaniment were delivered with a level of smoky and sensual maturity that caught everyone by surprise.
A wonderfully entertaining evening, and great credit is due to all concerned, but especially to Rani Grennell for managing a range of performers and performances that would have taxed the abilities of directors of many professional theatrical companies.
Raffle prizes were donated by Kings & Clowns, Kilashee Leisure Club, Stella & Dot, B&Q, Ballymore Inn, Raymound Boucheron, Barker & Jones, Charles Camping, Pretty & Polished, and Lily O'Briens.
All the pictures from the evening are
here.
