Gala Night of play had amazing turnout
Those attending last evening's Gala Night of A Skull in Connemara were told they were an 'amazing turnout for an amazing play', writes Brian Byrne. Esther Reddy, on behalf of the Kilcullen Gospel Choir thanked them for supporting the choir's fundraising for the summer Kildare Relay for Life event to be held at the Curragh Racecourse on 6 July.
Last night's proceeds from the Kilcullen Drama Group's presentation of the Martin McDonagh play had been designated for the choir's Relay for Life effort, and Esther described that event as a 'weekend of celebration of those who are fighting cancer, and those loved ones we have lost to cancer'. "Relay for Life is held all around the country and all around the world, and it's not so much about fundraising on the day as it is for families getting together," she said."But in the middle of all that there is the very serious 24-hour circular walk by relays of people, to mark the fact that while cancer doesn't give up, we won't give up until we have beaten cancer."
She reminded her audience that memorial candle bags can be bought from the Gospel Choir in advance of the July event which will be lit in commemoration of individuals during the Relay for Life.
Speaking about the play which they were about to see, she asked for applause for all those backstage who were supporting the four actors on stage. She paid tribute to the director, Eilis Phillips, who 'kept so many balls in the air' during the course of getting the production to stage. "She could be bellowing you out of it, or she could be calming you down — whatever is needed, Eilis will do it." Among too many people involved to mention, she singled out Letitia Hanratty for producing an extraordinary set 'designed to the last centimetre'.
At the end of the show, which was also the end of the week-long run, Eilis Phillips thanked everyone who had supported the group, and the group themselves for the work which they had put in during the months of rehearsal. A presentation was made to actor Maurice O'Mahony, to mark his 'amazing' contributions to the group's productions down the years.
All the Diary's photos from the play can be seen here.
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