Choral Society prepares to stage new production

Choral Society prepares to stage new production

21 March 2012 - by Joanne Fleming

SAINT Patrick’s Choral Society opens its anticipated 50th anniversary production of Fiddler on the Roof this evening.

In this new production of the old time classic audiences will be transported back to 1905 Russia and the little village of Anatevka by Tevye and his family.

Old Jewish customs will be explored through the show’s lively story and hit songs such as Matchmaker, If I were a Rich Man, and Sunrise, Sunset.

With a top cast and production team, this year’s show is being directed by Gary Warnock, musically directed by Denise Kelly and choreographed by Pauline McCarthy.

St. Patrick’s Choral Society was founded in 1962 by Mr. Declan McGrady who, along with members of St. Patrick’s Choir, met with Canon Connolly in the vestry of St. Patrick’s Church to discuss forming a choral group to perform concerts and musicals.

Canon Connolly agreed it would be a great opportunity for the people of Downpatrick; thus began St Patrick’s Choral Society under the musical direction of Mr. McGrady.

The first concert was performed in the Canon’s Hall on December 18, 1962. A number of concerts followed featuring guests including Brendan O’Dowd, Mary Gilmore (a native of Downpatrick) and Joseph Locke.

In 1964 the Society performed a full stage performance of The Bohemian Girl, followed in 1965 by Maritana.

During the next 10 years St. Patrick’s Choral Society performed a selection of the Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas including The Gondoliers, The Mikado, HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s St. Patrick’s Choral Society enjoyed packed houses for musicals by Strauss, Franz Lehar and the Rodgers & Hammerstein all time favourite, The Sound of Music, which was played to packed audiences in Down Leisure Centre in March 1990 and returned in December of that year by popular demand.

In more recent years St. Patrick’s Youth Theatre has gone from strength to strength performing a variety of musicals including Grease, High School Musical, and The Boyfriend with an outstanding performance of Les Miserables in 2010. Their latest success was Oliver in November 2011.

“Those of us who have been associated with St. Patrick’s Choral Society for many of its 50 years, and indeed those who have recently joined us, hope you enjoy our show tonight as much as we have enjoyed putting it together,” said Bronagh Gilchrist, publicity officer for St. Patrick’s Choral Society.

“Fiddler on the Roof is another very popular musical, which we performed for our 25th Anniversary in 1987. Today it is still one of the all time favourites.

“We in St. Patrick’s Choral Society will continue to enjoy the enthusiasm for the musicals and four part choruses instilled in us by Mr. Declan Mc Grady and hope to continue performing for many years to come.”

Fiddler on the Roof runs every evening at 7.30pm until Saturday at the Downshire Estate’s Great Hall.

Tickets at £10 are available from Gordon’s Chemist Downpatrick, or by telephoning Bronagh on 07855 775634.