Wow!! what a year as our special 50th anniversary year comes to an end and we close another historical chapter in the life of Birr Stage Guild. We would like to thank all the member of Birr Stage Guild past and present, Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls all who supported us through out this remarkable milestone year for Birr Stage Guild. in the coming days as we prepare for the Festive Season we at Birr Stage Guild would like to extend to you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous New Year and look forward to seeing you again in 2009.     

 

Birr Stage Guild would like to say a big thank you to all who helped to make the recent 50th Anniversary Celebrations such a memorable and enjoyable occasion.

To patrons, sponsors and advertisers, both on this occasion and through the years, who enable the Guild to meet the high costs of productions. To committee members, sub-committees, past and present members, friends and well-wishers, who gave their time and talents to the celebratory mass, the exhibition, and the G&S production. To all who contributed to the 50th Anniversary Magazine, in particular Tony Hogan, editor, and Sean Hanniffy, photoarchivest. To all from near and far who attended the events of the weekend. To the special guests of the 50th Anniversary year, Annie Noonan, Gerry Dolan and Frank McNamara for celebrating with us and passing the legacy of BIRR STAGE GUILD on to the next generation.

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BIRR STAGE GUILD -

OPEN WORKSHOP 29TH DECEMBER 2008

The Likes of Us is a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, and is Birr Stage Guild's choice for their spring production, which will be staged in Birr Theatre & Arts Centre from Tuesday March 24th to Saturday March 28th.

On the 29th December at 8 p.m. we are holding an open workshop at Birr Theatre and Arts Centre for adults interested in joining the production. Come along on 29th to hear the songs from the show, try some improvisation, meet the production team and get a feel of the format of the musical. Rehearsals will commence in early January, taking place every Monday and Thursday night. With an all sung musical, we need our usual strong cast. Also with the numerous male leads, we are looking for MEN, MEN, MEN with a strong singing voice.

Composed in 1965 by the famous partnership, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber (in the style of their “Joseph & His Amazing Technicolor Dream coat” and “Jesus Christ Superstar”), 'The Likes Of Us' is a musical based on the true-life story of Dr. Thomas Barnardo, whose 19th-century crusade to rescue abandoned or orphaned children living on the streets of London, led him to set up homes to house them. The first "Home for Destitute Boys" opened in 1870, with a sign on the door saying, "No destitute child ever refused admission – Open All Night." Birr Stage Guild has been fortunate to be the first amateur dramatic company in Ireland to be given the licence to perform this show, therefore, the cast will have the honour of being involved in the Irish Premier of the musical. Full of original and wonderful musical numbers, this all sung musical was Rice and Lloyd Webber’s first collaboration, but was not performed until 2005, when a one off production was staged at Lloyd Webber's Sydmonton Festival.

So, please join us on 29th. By the way, did we mention that we also need good strong male singers?? Well, we would hate you to miss your opportunity to be famous!! As an Irish Premier production, it promises to be a very popular production with the audiences. For further information you can contact us on 087 2836675

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Photo Courtesy of John Moriarty