Baldoyle Musical Society is in rehearsals for next show

BALDOYLE Musical Society’s 2016/17 season is already in full swing with rehearsals for the group’s January 2017 pantomime, ‘enTangled’, having commenced in September. 

Both members and audiences alike are eagerly anticipating this show, particularly after the phenomenal success of last January’s panto, ‘Frozen Solid’.

Damien Hurley returns as director for ‘enTangled’ which tells the well-known story of long-haired beauty Rapunzel, made popular by the recent Disney movie. 

With Baldoyle’s own Richie Smith as scriptwriter once again, audiences can look forward to some quirky plot twists along with the customary hilarious one-liners, loveable panto characters, and evil baddies (Boo! Hiss!). To add to this wonderful family entertainment there is the usual excellent selection of song and dance numbers, and plenty of audience participation.

These are busy times for Baldoyle Musical Society (BMS) as preparations have also already begun for next April’s production of ‘Seussical’, a favourite with kids and adults alike.

‘enTangled’ will be performed at St Mary’s Secondary School, Baldoyle, on January 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 8pm, with matinees at 3pm on January 7, 8, 14 and 15. 

For ticket booking and further information visit www.baldoylemusicalsociety.ie. Group bookings are also welcome.

Successful shows have been a feature of BMS’s history over the last four decades. The society was established in 1973 when a group of people met and decided to establish a musical society to cater for the large number of young people who had settled in Baldoyle in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The first production was ‘The Gondoliers’, which was followed by The Mikado in 1974. It was quickly realised that the Northside of Dublin had no pantomime and that there was a potential audience for this traditional entertainment.

January 1975 saw the first panto, ‘Dick Whittington and His Cat’, staged at St Mary’s Hall in the village, and the large numbers seeking tickets warranted the staging of an additional performance.

Since then BMS has produced a panto every January and this entertainment has become firmly established as the premier, not to mention longest running, pantomime in North Dublin.

One of the oldest sayings in showbusiness is that the ‘show must go on’, and it’s an adage that sits well with BMS. They have overcome many difficulties in their illustrious history such as power cuts, severe freezing, petrol strikes and bus strikes but have always managed to make it to the stage. 

In addition to the annual January panto, which is seen by some 3,000 patrons every year, they produce a musical in late April. The high quality of these productions has been rewarded with successes in various competitions down through the years. 

One of the major factors contributing to the longevity and success of BMS has been the availability of a permanent home in which to rehearse, store props and costumes, and to perform. For this, the society is indebted to the Principal and the Board of Management of St Mary’s Secondary School, the owners of St Mary’s Hall.

They have also benefitted greatly from the freely given skills of many craftsmen who have provided top-class sets and props. Their workmanship has become a hallmark of Baldoyle, often envied by fellow groups.

Recent new housing developments in the Baldoyle, Clongriffin, Belmayne, Clare Hall, and other areas have brought many new residents into what might be termed the hinterland of Baldoyle.
The group feels that there are people now living in the area who may like to get involved with a fun pastime like song and dance while using the opportunity to meet people in their adopted locality.

New members (over the age of 16) are very welcome to join the society, either to perform or to help out either backstage or front of house.

For further details on joining email [email protected] or visit www.baldoylemusicalsociety.ie