kate
Civilian
Posts: 5
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Post by kate on Nov 8, 2009 10:52:13 GMT
Does anyone remember "Song of Glory" a production in the gym in the curragh. It is 30 years old this weekend. It opened on the 7th November 1979 for 3 nights. It was produced by Con O Sullivan, Musical Director Denis Mellick , It was about Padraig Pearse, Frank Patterson ( Irish Tenor ) sang, and was attended by President Hillary. Do anyone have any photos of this or know where I can find any ?
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Post by Matt McNamara on Nov 8, 2009 14:36:08 GMT
Hi Kate
I remember the Song of Glory very well. I should do as my Mother Maureen McNamara looked after the wardrobe department. For six months before the show my Mother worked every night creating costumes for the various scenes. The show producer Con O Sullivan was a regular visitor with his wife to my house to check on the progress and various changes to the show and costumes needed. When time for the show came around my Mother and Father both worked backstage, my Mother in the Wardrobe Department and my Father Peter McNamara in the small mini armoury below the stage. From here he issued rifles and revolvers to the various actors and extras as required in the various scenes. He was armed with a 9mm Pistol in case anybody decided to make off with the weapons. As with army regulations all weapons once leaving his possession had to be signed for and on return signed back in and after the show each night returned to Pearse stores.
Meanwhile my Mother was on standby in the wings of the stage and had the various costume changes for the female actresses as them moved through the scenes. This was second nature for my Mother as she had worked with The Curragh Musical Society during their previous shows in the 1950’s and 60’s. She will admit it was hard work, but was worth it in the end when a show came together.
I remember the late Frank Patterson coming down to where my Father and I were under the stage and going through various singing notes and warming up his voice before going on stage.
After the Song of Glory was over My Mother was presented with a photograph album of the show. I will dig it out and scan in some of the photographs for the site.
All the best
Matt McNamara
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Post by afcmoore on Nov 8, 2009 16:10:52 GMT
Hello Matt. What a wonderful story and how proud you must be .Your Mother must be a very talented dressmaker . Cheers Anthony.
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kate
Civilian
Posts: 5
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Post by kate on Nov 8, 2009 16:36:49 GMT
thanks Matt for the reply, My whole family were in the show, my dad was the stage manager, Gerry Mulrooney, my mum and brother played the young Padraig Pearse and his mother and myself and my two sisters were in chorus. We had such a great time can't believe its 30 years ago ! Look forward to seeing the photos.
Kate
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Post by Matt McNamara on Nov 8, 2009 16:38:19 GMT
Hi Anthony To be quite honest as a twelve year old boy, I didn’t think much of the show at that time, I was more interested in been 2i/c to my father below the stage and looking after the weapons. But looking back, yes I am very proud and for all my mother got for doing the dressmaking and working in the wardrobe would not be worth talking about, she just loved a challenge and always managed to have the costumes on time. As for my Father I think he was happy with a few days in lieu for his time below the stage. Matt
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Post by carolinemul on Nov 10, 2009 13:16:04 GMT
Hi All, Kate (my sister) beat me to it - I was going to post about Song of Glory. I have a copy of the programme which was given to me recently by Lt Col Joe Mulligan, it's in immaculate condition and what I loved about it was all the Ads were typed!! So old fashioned now. Its a treasure as a lot of the people including my Dad who were part of the show are now gone.
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Post by shamtheman on Nov 10, 2009 20:02:40 GMT
Hi Caroline, and all, Long time no see. We got the same bus in and out to Newbridge and school for a few years. Hope you're well.
I have no recollection of 'Song of Glory', but was only a visitor home in 78.
Can anyone remember the 'fit ups' that came for a couple of nights in the early 70s. It may have been from either the Gate or the Abbey. They played in the Gym. I remember Godfrey Quuigley played a drunk, and he was absolutely hilarious. It always stuck with me, and engendered such a fascination for theatre that I ended up on stage many times as player and director with Clonmel Theatre Guild.
I also remember as a very young boy in Pearse hearing my parents raving on about a production of South Pacific in the 60s, again in the Gym. Cammy Gray and her brother Jimmy came in for great praise!
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Post by carolinemul on Nov 12, 2009 13:58:43 GMT
Hi Shamtheman, Well now you've got me thinking - the bus to school?? 1972 to 1974. I need more info!!!!!! I was in the production of South Pacific because yet again Dad was stage manager, I was a "native" - I wore a grass skirt and a lei and did some sort of dance and thought I was the bees knees. I remember Cammy, wasn't she just beautiful in that show. And Jimmy Jordan, who looked the part, all tanned and french looking! I was in South Pacific yet again with Newbridge Musical Society in 1983 ('84?) with Adrienne and Kate and my husband and we were - yet again dancing!!! Are you still on stage in Clonmel? Have friends down there, ever come across Greg Price - he is a former student of Con O'Sullivan and has produced and directed many shows - not sure if he did any in Clonmel. Good to make a connection - this is a great site, always loved the Curragh and always will. Was told about the site by Martina O'Hora (Dr Cahill's daughter) and Helen O'Brien (Gilman ) Best wishes
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Post by shamtheman on Nov 12, 2009 23:21:25 GMT
Hi Caroline, Firstly, Shamtheman is Seams Moore, and I got that bus between autumn '71 and Summer '77. I remember your parents well, and last met your mother and Adrienne at my brother Sean's wedding to Christine O'Grady in or around '94 or '95. I haven't set eyes on you, I'd say, since '77.
Yes, I know Greg well, and his wife Mary, since they came to Clonmel in the 90s I'd say.
I've taken a break from acting and directing: time consuming, work pressures and getting fed up. I'm nearly due a career comeback!
Was it Jimmy Jordan, and not Jimmy Gray, I was thinking of? You were great friends with Jimmy's sister, Carmel, weren't you?
Anyway, will tell Greg we're in communicado; never know, he might be next to sign on (although not quite qualified). Any message for him?
Sham.
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Post by carolinemul on Nov 14, 2009 21:58:00 GMT
Well hello Seamus!!! How wonderful to hear from you, I'm delighted you unveiled yourself! I was only just talking to Christine last Saturday in Newbridge with Adrienne and she was telling us they will be heading down to Clonmel to you for Christmas. Yes it was Jimmy Jordan in South Pacific, and Carmel was my best buddy in the Curragh and I am still in contact with her, old friends are best. I am often in Clonmel to visit Greg and Mary so we could bump into one another on the street sometime - you had better be wearing a carnation for the next six months so that I will recognise you! Yes I have a message for Greg - HE IS 50!!!!!!! ( he tried to tell me he was younger then me!) My best wishes to you, and glad we have made a connection Caroline
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Post by shamtheman on Nov 14, 2009 23:58:54 GMT
Nice one Caroline!
You'd be welcome to Clonmel anytime!
Would love to meet you again, so if you're ever in these here parts, let me know, we'll meet up for a look back!
As for Mr. Price, we'll have to work on him to lower his stress levels.
Sham
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Post by shamtheman on Nov 15, 2009 0:03:30 GMT
OOps, I forgot:
Caroline, I'm 50 and I guess you are too.
I know Greg is, him being a few weeks younger than me. It's time we got him to accept life as the rest of us know it; getting older happens, getting old is a state of mind.
Sham.
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Post by Matt McNamara on Nov 16, 2009 18:09:56 GMT
As promised, I am sorry about the quality of the photographs, but I do hope they bring back good memories to all who remember the “Song Of Glory” Matt Song Of Glory
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Post by maryfarrell6 on Nov 16, 2009 22:23:13 GMT
Hi Everyone, Wow Matt and Olive you must be so proud to have that album which shows the huge job your mother took on with the costumes. My God she must have worked non stop for months to make all of them and probably for no payment whats so ever!! An unsung Heroine, because she designed and made the costumes for all of the productions on Curragh. Not to forget the part your da played in that particular show guarding the weapons what a legacy they have given you and your families. The photo's are going to be of interest to so many people the youngsters in the choir! the band members who I presume are the band of the Curragh! and the rest of the cast. Is there any way the photo's can be tagged as people log on and recognise and or put names to the faces? Regards to all MaryF Now Kate and Caroline as you started the thread and most of your family were involved in the production I'm hoping you can put names to
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Post by maryfarrell6 on Nov 16, 2009 22:37:05 GMT
Hi All, Don't know what happened to the last part of my last message but it was basically directed to Kate and Caroline saying as your whole family played a big part in The Song Of Glory I'm hoping ye can put names to the faces in the pictures. Also the children in the chorus, and the military band plus the rest of the cast will I'm certain be added to in the forthcoming years as new members join and recognise themselves or family or friends in the various shots. Bye for now MaryF
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