In the Beginning s1
1979 – Goody Two Shoes
It all began in 1979 in the tiny kitchen of Renmore’s School Hall. The young curate, Sean O’Malley suggested to some of his fellow badminton players - including John Duggan, Liam Belton, Denis Quilty, John Benson and John Power- that Renmore should produce a Pantomime. Sean conceived the idea of a Panto at the Badminton Social that previous week when local talent abounded and Denis Quilty and John Duggan did an impromptu ice-cubed version of “The Hole in the Bucket”. So Joe McCarthy was called upon and the rest is history.
After 3 months of rehearsal “Goody Two Shoes” took to the boards in the Jesuit Hall, Sea Road, Galway on 6th January 1979 for a three-night run. Such was demand that the period was extended to five. Admission was Adults£1.50 (1.90) and Children 75p (0.95).
The late Sister Michael penned this review of “Goody” for the “Renmore Parish Newsletter”.
Each night an enthusiastic audience got three hours of hilarious laughter, music, song and dance. Producer Joe McCarthy, is already well known for his CIE “Tops of the Town” shows but “Goody Two Shoes “ is by far his best and most delightful production. Joe’s additions to the script were neatly fitted in or strung together. (Joe continued to produce Panto up to 1992).
The Orchestra – all Renmore talent- was superb all through. How excellently Triona Glynn tipped out her tunes on the keyboard! (Triona was MD and Chorus Mistress many times up to 1992). Paul Gaughan, lead guitar; Bernard Shapiro, bass guitar: Peter Gilroy, drums; Jimmy Higgins, trumpet; Mick O’Toole, saxophone and Doreen Sheridan, violin, all worked together and made a delightful ensemble.
The Backing Group-Phil Duggan, Maeve O’Neill and Mairéad Glynn-aptly described as the “Tuneful Trio” -made very pleasant harmony.
Individually each one of the cast gave a delightful performance, even though some were on stage for the first time.
Margaret Duggan was very attractive as the Gypsy Dancer with a marvellous voice. Her handsome Prince, Frank Gaughan, had many great songs to sing and sang them so well! Edel McFadden with her glorious voice together with her sailor boy, John Duggan were a delightful combination. Gerry Ferguson as Dame Murphy with Tom Duggan, as her son Wobbles, gave a brilliant performance. (Gerry continued in the Dame role up to 1992).
The late Liam Belton, as Willie the Weasel, was quite capable of doing anything but who would ever suspect he’d “fall” for the Dame! Nicholas King and Maeve Canavan as the Squire and Countess Mirabelle were both in fine pitch. The late Jim Holloway, as Maraka the evil Gypsy Leader played his part well, kept up his accent and even got the young folk to applaud when he was mortally wounded in a duel.
Fairylike, sweet and gentle Stephanie O’Boyle appeared and disappeared in true fairylike fashion. Peter Gilroy was chorus master and the singing of both male and female choruses was marvellous. Dancers with their great action and movement obviously enjoyed themselves. The unpredictable Liam Glynn as John Joe and his partner Eamonn Carr as Festi, the two local rogues had everyone in “stitches”. The very glint in John Joe’s eyes and the utter clownish-looking attitude of Festi made things so hilarious that occasionally tit bits got lost through prolonged laughter.
The ghost scene with set painter Valerie Wright as the Ghost was one of my favourite scenes. It was novel and cleverly thought out. The wild screams of the children greatly enhanced the scene and the lighting was particularly effective. The expert on the lights was Tom Kelleher, formerly of Renmore whose return on this occasion was a marvellous help to the group. High praise to the local seamstresses (under the late Ita Lynch) who decked out the cast in gorgeous colourful costumes.
Great credit for simple, yet effective, stage sets goes to Len Wright (still involved in 2008) and John Rowbottom. The Scoil Caithríona Senior Band rates very high on the list of top priorities-guided and directed by Enda Kilbane and Virginia O’Mahony. The band is in its infancy-scarcely 8 months old- and we witnessed the great progress made in that short space of time. The Principal, Padraig O’Grady conducted the band on this auspicious occasion.
The 15 Tiny Tots (the original Smurfs!) fittingly dressed in green and yellow elf suits won the hearts of all. A great credit to Joan Ray and the late Eileen McCarthy. The little group from Celine Hession’s School of Dancing were perfect. Ray McBride was choreographer but with what precision and excellence he and his sister Margaret tapped out the “Sailors Hornpipe”. Betty Quirke achieved wonders with make-up. (Her daughter Anne Power now continues the make-up tradition). Kevin Belton looked after sound.
Whatever the expense, all must admit that this Pantomime was a fantastic community effort of team work, people together, singing, dancing and entertaining while getting-to-know-each other.
The Original Smurfs were Nicholas O’Toole, Nessa Cawley, Orla Sands, Maria McMahon, Lisa Mitchell, Gearóid Leen, Robert Gander, Paul Gaughan, Maura Fenton, Adrienne Smith, Kevin Carr, Lorraine Hughes, Emer McCarthy, Cliona Breathnach, Michelle Gallagher.
Ladies Chorus were Joan Ray, Phil Duggan, Lily Hughes, Carmel Rowbottom, Mary Molloy, Helga Junold, Annette Nugent, Carmel Dunleavy, Clodagh McNamara.
Mens Chorus were J.P.Bohan, Paul Holloway, Kieran Browne, Michael Fitzgerald, Denis Quilty, Michael Holian, Michael Hassett, Vincent McNeilis, Noel Costello (the Yank), Richard Ridge (Barman).
Dancers were Ann Sands, the late Ita Lynch (Parisian Lady), Eveleen Sheridan, Maeve O’Neill, Máire Stankard (who doubled as Hon. Secretary up to 1989). Karen Burke, Teresa O’Hara, Máire Canavan, Florrie Maloney, Geraldine Scully, Noreen Molloy, Caroline Cawley, Mary Leahy.
Irish Dancers were Jim O’Connor, Joseph Wall, Eamonn Hughes, Jim Kelly, the late Tommy Barrett, Tommy Ryder, Carmel Clabby, Mary Ryder, Catherine Clabby, Andrea Pender, Olga Lynch, Aisling McCarthy.
The following year’s Panto was“Jack & the Beanstalk” for 5 nights in the Jesuit Hall. In 1981 it was“Aladdin” for 9 nights. Then in 1982 the Panto moved to Leisureland for “Olde King Cole” where it continued until the Town Hall Theatre was refurbished in time for“Robin Hood & Babes in the Wood” in 1996.
After Sean O’Malley (1979-81), Jim Naughton took over as Chairperson (1982-86), Lily Hughes (1987-88), John Benson (1989) and Mary Barrett (1990-2006) and Anne McElwain (since 2007).
VIEW PHOTOS BELOW
Panto Programme
Joe McCarthy (Producer/Director)
Tom Duggan (Wobbles)
Eamonn Carr and Liam Glynn
Nicholas King and Maeve Canavan
Stephanie O'Boyle
Frank Gaughan &
Margaret Duggan
Edel McFadden and John Duggan
Dancers (from left) -
Geraldine Scully, Florrie Maloney, Mary Stankard, Caroline Cawley, Teresa O'Hara and Karen Burke
Smurfs (from left) –
Nessa Cawley, Nicholas O'Toole & Maura Fenton
Dancers (from left) -
Máire Canavan, Noreen Molloy, Maeve O'Neill, Ann Sands, Ita Lynch and Eveleen Sheridan.
Sean O'Malley (Founder)
Valerie Wright (Ghost)
Scoil Chaitríona Senior School Band
1979 Cast at 25-Year Presentation in 2004 (from left): Joe McCarthy, Len Wright, Valerie Wright, John Duggan, Maeve Canavan, Frank Gaughan, Stephanie O’Boyle.
Renmore Smurfs:
(Front): Lorraine Hughes, Cliona Breathnach, Emer McCarthy,
(Back): Adrienne Smith, Kevin Carr.
1979 Cast at 25-Year Presentation in 2004 (from left): Liam Glynn, Eamonn Carr, Tom Duggan, Gerry Ferguson, Margaret Duggan, Liam Belton and Mary Barrett (MC).