Birr Community Online

Gwalia Singers
hosted by Birr Stage Guild

The Gwalia Singers are a Welsh male voice choir, founded in 1966 who quickly gained the reputation of being a small, successful choir with a strong sense of ‘belonging’. Although the years since have seen some big changes in the choir’s circumstances, the essentials remain. They are still (and will remain) a small choir of around 45 voices, draw it’s members from a wide range of backgrounds and geographical locations, and are still successful in local, national and international competitions. They like to feel that a Gwalia has three main priorities in life - his family, his work and the choir (in that order). Join us for an evening of song. € 18/16 8pm

Birr Stage Guild Autumn Play

Birr Stage Guild, in it’s 50th Anniversary Year, will present the Play “The Field” by John B Keane. It will be staged on 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th November 2008 and will be directed by Mr Eamon O’Donoghue.

A reading for the play will be held in The Birr Theatre and Arts Centre on 11th September at 8 p.m. We would love to see anyone who is interested in reading for a part in this superb play. Everyone is welcome and we always love to see new faces. If anyone has any queries, you can give them my mobile number as a contact number.

Birr Stage Guild One Act Festival

Birr Stage Guild are hosting their Annual One Act Festival, which this year runs on 24th, 25th & 26th October. The official adjudicator is Mr. Dara Carolan, Director of services at the DLI (Drama League of Ireland). Dara will also be running a workshop for actors/directors on the Saturday, and on the Sunday, he will be performing part of his one man show followed by a question and answer session. Entries to the festival must be in by 20th September 2008. Please send your applications to Lisa Byrne, Secretary Birr Stage Guild, “Brinwood”, Croghan Road, Birr. If you have any queries then please contact Lisa on 087 7977059 or email ljwbyrne@gmail.com

Legitimate Bodies Dance Company - Offaly Youth Dance - Open Workshop/Audition

This is an excellent opportunity for Boys and Girls age 12 - 16 to explore contemporary dance in County Offaly. Don’t miss this chance to have fun, stay fit, nurture your creativity and meet new friends! There will be an Open Workshop/Audition on Saturday 20th Sept. from 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. at the Birr Theatre and Arts Centre. Birr Stage Guild is offering SEVERAL SCHOLARSHIPS this year to promising new members joining the Youth Dance Group. So don’t let money get in the way of a great opportunity to take your dancing to another level and join like minded teenagers for fun, a great laugh and great dancing. Come to the Open Workshop and give it a go.

To book any of the classes please call Birr Theatre and Arts Centre Box Office between 1 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. or email legitimatebodies@eircom.net

Will be held in Dooly’s Hotel Birr, Friday 9th of November at 8:00pm,
All are Welcome, Do come along and bring a Friend!

At Birr Theatre & Arts Centre - Fri 26 to Sun 28 October 2007

Friday 26 October
8 pm Tungsten Theatre Group, Galway, The Wayfarer

9 pm Crooked Wheel Productions, Leitrim, What shall we do with the body?

10 pm St. Patrick’s Dramatic Society, Glenageary, Death of a Dummy

Saturday 27 October
8 pm Bradán Players Leixlip, Pillow Talk

9 pm Camross Drama Group, A Cliff Hanger

10 pm Sanity Clause Theatre Company, Kilbarrack, Dublin, The Wooden Pear

Sunday 28 October
8 pm Haulbowline Theatre Group, Cork, The Little Gentleman

9 pm Moate Dramatic Society, Snowangel

10 pm La Touche Players, Sundays

Adjudicator: Garry Lombard

Tickets: €10/8. (3 night rate: €20/18. Group rates available.
Tel. 057 912 2911. Box Office open Mon.-Fri. 1 to 5.30 pm.

In association with Amateur Drama Council of Ireland & Drama League of Ireland

A play by Campbell Black

LUNCHTIME PLAY presented by Birr Stage Guild
Campbell Black’s surreal comedy reunites three former Disney superstars: Micky, Minnie and Donald, 30 years after their world famous celebrity days. Then, their images adorned everything form t-shirts to schoolbags, as they raked in millions for the Walt Disney Studios. Now they recall past glories, failures and embarrassments dreaming of a comeback in this hilarious comedy set in a seedy Los Angeles bar. A top-ranking writer of modern thrillers with over thirty-five novels published, Campbell Black’s 50-minute satire was a sell-out success at Dublin’s Theatre Fringe Festival in 2006.
Director Campbell Black
Supported by Offaly County Council

Tues 14 – Thurs 16 August
1.05 pm SHARP
€14/12 (including a sandwich – on your lap!)

Presented by Birr Stage Guild
Monday 9th July – Friday 13th July 2007
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre,
Oxmantown Hall, Birr
Information & Booking: 057 9122911

Age 7 – 9 years: 10am – 1pm
Age 10 – 12 years: 2pm – 5pm
Course Fee: €60
The Children’s Theatre Summer Camp is presented by Birr Stage Guild, which most recently staged a very successful production of “Some Enchanted Evening”. Upcoming events include Vintage Week Lunchtime Concerts and a one-act play “And They Used To Act In Movies”, (written and directed by Campbell Black).
For nearly 50 years Birr Stage Guild has presented theatre in all its forms from drama and musical to pantomime and pageant. Many outstanding performers, directors, musicians, designers, technicians, both professional and amateur have worked with the Guild over the years, enriching young and not so young with their expertise!
The Children’s Theatre Summer Camp will run daily from 10am – 1pm for 7 – 9 year olds, and from 2pm – 5pm for 10 – 12 year olds.

Birr Stage Guild presents
OPERA GALA ‘07
Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 May

Showcasing young emerging singers from our region, and guest graduates from the Royal Northern College of Music Manchester, is a highlight of our theatrical year.

John Molloy (bass baritone), Anne Hogan (mezzo-soprano), Michele Sheridan (soprano) and Christopher Turner (tenor), whose careers are taking them onto national and international stages, will present a scintillating programme of arias duets and scenes from operas by Mozart Puccini, Verdi Tchaikovsky and Barber. The second half of the programme includes excerpts from Gilbert and Sullivan’s much loved, ‘Mikado, Pirates of Penzance and Patience’, Lehars “Land of Smiles” Johann Strauss’ ‘Die Fledermaus,” Gershwins “Porgy and Bess” and others. We are delighted to have Mairéad Hurley, one of Irelands leading repétitéurs as musical director for the event.

A brief introduction to our four soloists;

John Molloy (bass-baritone) Birr

‘His crystal clear cavernous tone and passionate delivery mark him out for a big time opera career’ Business Post. Numerous Concert Hall performances, roles with Lyric Opera, Co-Opera, Opera Ireland and has just returned from a trip to China. John is currently rehearsing for ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ in the title role, with Opera Theatre Company.

Ann Hogan(mezzo-soprano) Birr

Ann completes her performance degree with a recital at the R.N.C.M next month. She sang Olga in their production of ‘Eugene Onegin’ and toured with the Leeds Philharmonic Society in April, to Vienna, Budapest and Bratislavia as mezzo soloist. Future engagements include ‘The Magic Flute’ with London Opera Studio.

Christopher Turner (tenor) Leeds

He is described as ‘a young tenor of exceptional vocal and dramatic ability,’ Opera Magazine. Making his first appearance in Ireland, Christopher is a graduate of R.N.C.M. He performes frequently with Scottish Opera and English Touring Opera.

Michele Sheridan (soprano) Longford

Needing no introduction to Irish opera lovers, Michele has toured with many O.T.C and Co-Opera productions, and won many fans with her radiant voice and superb dramatic ability. Her roles include Suzanna in “Marriage of Figaro”, Despina in “Cosi Fan Tutte”, Hyacinthus, The Sandman, The Dew Fairy and Mimi in “La Boheme”

To avoid disappointment – book now

Birr Theatre & Arts Centre
Tickets: €22.50/€18 (incl interval wine)
Box-Office 057 9122911 open Mon-Fri 1-5.30pm.
Credit Card booking accepted

On Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May 2007, Birr Stage Guild is proud to present our third annual opera Gala at Birr theatre & Arts Centre, Oxmantown Hall. This event, which showcases young emerging singers from our region, and guest graduates from the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, is a highlight of our theatrical year.

We are delighted to have Mairead Hurley, one of Ireland’s leading répétiteurs as musical director for the event. John Molloy (Bass Baritone), Ann Hogan (mezzo-soprano), Michelle Sheridan (soprano) and Chris Turner (tenor), whose careers are taking them onto national and international stages, will present a scintillating programme of arias, duets and scenes from operas by Mozart, Puccini, Verdi and more.

The second half of the programme includes excerpts from Gilberts and Sullivan operettas: The Mikado, Patience, Iolanthe, The Pirates of Penzance; also from Lehar’s “Land of Smiles” and Johann Strauss “Die Fledermaus”.

An evening such as this is one in a million! This event expects to sell out so book now at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre 05791-22911.

Maureen de Forge (Opera Gala Co-ordinator)

Birr Stage Guild will shortly announce details of there one act Festival 2007 to be held in Birr Theatre & Arts Centre in autumn 2007. Please check back in the coming days for more details

On Wednesday March 28th - March 31st, Birr Stage Guild will be performing Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s “Some Enchanted Evening” at the Birr Theatre & Arts Centre. Performances are at 8pm and tickets can be bought at the Theatre box office (phone 057 9122911). On March 31st they will be holding a Patron’s Gala, don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to enjoy the show and mingle with the cast afterwards. Early booking is essential.

Visit their website to learn more about this production.