Design: gerry watters 07929131753 Newry Musical Society was formed in 1945, evolving from a choir formed in 1943 by Tommy Kelly, Tony McAlinden and Brendan Cranny. The early works of the Society focused on the works of Gilbert and Sullivan and the first show, The Mikado, played to packed houses in Newry Town Hall in January 1946. Further successful productions of the Savoy operas with well-known cast members such as George McKee, Wesley Livingstone, Michael Mathers and Heather Caldwell enhanced the Society’s reputation for high standards of performance. A radical change of policy in 1951 saw the Society branch out into the field of musical comedy for the first time. The production of The Maid of the Mountains was a huge success and paved the way for future productions. During rehearsals for the 1952 production of Rose Marie, Musical Director Tommy Kelly left to take up a post in Dublin. After a period of uncertainty, Patrick Carey, Headmaster of Mourne Grange School became Producer and August Toremans agreed to be Musical Director. Doreen Whitten, who would go on to be chorus mistress for over forty years, made her one and only appearance on stage. The Mikado, 1946. Produced by Patrick Donnelly, assisted by Jimmy Canavan who also played the part of ‘Ko-Ko’. Tommy Kelly was the Musical Director, and the Newry Light Orchestra were led by Sheila Devenish Meares (later Cronin). Newry and Mourne Museum Collection The Gondoliers, 1947. The cast included Michael Mathers, Kevin Neary, Nuala Neary, Lillian McArdle Trodden, Tony McAlinden and Livy Armstrong. Smaller roles and chorus included Matt McAteer, Arthur Burns, Patsy Ruddy, Tommy Byrne and Heather Caldwell. Courtesy of Eleanor Darbyshire The Yeomen of the Guard, 1948. Staring Livy Armstrong as ‘Jack Point’ and Nuala Neary as ‘Elsie Maynard’. Kathleen Bell had her first major part in this production playing ‘Phoebe’ as did Wesley Livingstone playing ‘Leonard Meryll’. Courtesy of Charlie Smyth The Maid of the Mountains, 1951. The production was the first musical comedy produced by Newry Musical Society. Courtesy of Charlie Smyth Organist and choirmaster at St. Catherine’s Church, Newry, Tommy Kelly was one of the founder members, and the first Musical Director of Newry Musical Society. Newry and Mourne Museum Collection August Toremans’ success as Musical Director has been recognised throughout Ireland. He was the Society’s Musical Director for over four decades. Courtesy of Gerry McNulty The Desert Song, 1953. Produced by Patrick Carey of Mourne Grange School, Kilkeel. Major roles were sung by George McKee, Nuala Neary and Nancie Murphy. Newry and Mourne Museum Collection
Transcript
Design: gerry w
atters 07929131753
Newry Musical Society was formed in 1945, evolving from a choir formed in 1943 by Tommy Kelly, Tony McAlinden and Brendan Cranny.
The early works of the Society focused on the works of Gilbert and Sullivan and the first show, The Mikado, played to packed houses in Newry Town Hall in January 1946. Further successful productions of the Savoy operas with well-known cast members such as George McKee, Wesley Livingstone, Michael Mathers and Heather Caldwell enhanced the Society’s reputation for high standards of performance.
A radical change of policy in 1951 saw the Society branch out into the field of musical comedy for the first time. The production of The Maid of the Mountains was a huge success and paved the way for future productions.
During rehearsals for the 1952 production of Rose Marie, Musical Director Tommy Kelly left to take up a post in Dublin. After a period of uncertainty, Patrick Carey, Headmaster of Mourne Grange School became Producer and August Toremans agreed to be Musical Director. Doreen Whitten, who would go on to be chorus mistress for over forty years, made her one and only appearance on stage.
The Mikado, 1946. Produced by Patrick Donnelly, assisted by Jimmy Canavan who also played the part of ‘Ko-Ko’. Tommy Kelly was the Musical Director, and the Newry Light Orchestra were led by Sheila Devenish Meares (later Cronin).Newry and Mourne Museum Collection
The Gondoliers, 1947. The cast included Michael Mathers, Kevin Neary, Nuala Neary, Lillian McArdle Trodden, Tony McAlinden and Livy Armstrong. Smaller roles and chorus included Matt McAteer, Arthur Burns, Patsy Ruddy, Tommy Byrne and Heather Caldwell.Courtesy of Eleanor Darbyshire
The Yeomen of the Guard, 1948. Staring Livy Armstrong as ‘Jack Point’ and Nuala Neary as ‘Elsie Maynard’. Kathleen Bell had her first major part in this production playing ‘Phoebe’ as did Wesley Livingstone playing ‘Leonard Meryll’.Courtesy of Charlie Smyth
The Maid of the Mountains, 1951. The production was the first musical comedy produced by Newry Musical Society.Courtesy of Charlie Smyth
Organist and choirmaster at St. Catherine’s Church, Newry, Tommy Kelly was one of the founder members, and the first Musical Director of Newry Musical Society.Newry and Mourne Museum Collection
August Toremans’ success as Musical Director has been recognised throughout Ireland. He was the Society’s Musical Director for over four decades.Courtesy of Gerry McNulty
The Desert Song, 1953. Produced by Patrick Carey of Mourne Grange School, Kilkeel. Major roles were sung by George McKee, Nuala Neary and Nancie Murphy.Newry and Mourne Museum Collection
In 1964 the newly named Newry Musical and Orchestral Society staged The Gipsy Baron. That same year they accepted an invitation to compete at the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera, winning numerous awards in the following decade.
The Land of Smiles was one of the biggest and most ambitious productions staged by the Society, who engaged professional producer, P.J. McKay, from Newry, in 1969.
Producer and choreographer Ray Jeffrey, from London was invited to produce South Pacific in 1974. He would go on to produce over twenty shows for the Society. In 1976 under his direction, the Society lifted the International Premier Award at the Waterford Festival with its production of The Desert Song. For the next four years the Society were never out of the top three places at Waterford, and won many other production, individual, choreography, scenery and stage management awards. In 1979, they took the Premier Award again with Fiddler on the Roof.
The Society also appeared on many occasions at the Northern Ireland Festival of Light Opera in Bangor, winning many individual awards from the 1960s to the 1980s.
In 1985 the Society celebrated its 40th Anniversary with the Northern Ireland premiere of Gigi and a 40th Anniversary Concert. A Golden Jubilee Gala, a production of The King and I and a civic reception marked the half century of the Society in 1995.
The Land of Smiles poster, 1969. With over 30 years’ experience, P.J. McKay had performed and produced in theatres throughout Britain and Ireland and had built a successful reputation as a producer of musicals and revue in the professional theatre.Newry and Mourne Museum Collection
The Society celebrated their Silver Jubilee in 1970 with The Geisha. The Society’s logo was designed by Mary McKee, wife of George McKee, Chairman in the 1960s.Newry and Mourne Museum Collection
Programme cover of the Premier Award winning production of The Desert Song, 1976, along with a photograph of cast members (below).Courtesy of John Cookson
Backstage staffPeter Curran, William McCaul, Gerry McNulty (Stage Décor and Director), Thomas Rushe, James Quinn (Stage Manager), Joseph Quinn and Sean Rice were all involved in the scenery construction for The Desert Song. The backstage crew had no permanent home and created sets in many cold and desolate venues around the town of Newry.Newry and Mourne Museum Collection
Programme cover of the Premier Award winning production of Fiddler on the Roof, 1979, along with a photograph of members of the cast (right).Courtesy of John Cookson
Photograph of the cast of Gigi, 1985.Courtesy of Charlie Smith
Photograph of performers who participated in the 40th Anniversary Concert, 1985.Courtesy of Mrs Heather Caldwell
Newry Musical Society has an ever growing repertoire, including shows as diverse as Hello, Dolly!, Carousel, 42nd Street, The Sound of Music, Godspell, West Side Story and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Many local people have been heavily involved in the Society over the years in various ways, including performing on stage, in the orchestra, in production, stage management and administration. Some have been members for over fifty years!
The Society has given great opportunities to young people in the area, many of whom have gone on to pursue musical careers.
After seven decades, Newry Musical Society is still a force to be reckoned with in the world of musical comedy, and look forward to entertaining Newry audiences for many more years.
Photographs courtesy of John Cookson, Jim McGuigan and Charlie Smyth
Presidents and Executive
of Newry Musical
Society Committee through the Years
Veronica BarrEithne Bell
Patrick BurkeKate CarragherBrendan Carroll
Jim CarrollHenry Collins
Desmond ConnollyFrancis ConnollyBrendan Cranny
David CunninghamPat CunninghamCatherine Farrell
Donal FeganJohn GreenW.V. Hogg
Garnett W. HoltAnne Keenan
Aidan KennedyWesley Livingstone
Tony McAlindenVery. Rev. Fr. J. McAnuff
Raymond McCourtJack McGeoughGeorge McKeeGerry McNultyKevin P. NearyRosemary NeillMargaret Nolan
Elizabeth O’ConnorJohn ReaV. Rennick
Charlie SmythCharles Smyth Senior
Jim SmythJoseph G. Smyth Bertie TroddenFergal White
