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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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This year so Far!
Click here for Photos
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'BUG OFF'
In partnership with Opera
Theatre Company, St. Brendans National School and Mercy Primary
School,
- Click here for Photos
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- Click here for photos
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- Childrens Theatre Summer Camp
- Click here for photos
- Click here for photos
One Act Drama
Festival
Click here for more
Music of the Night
the Magic of Christmas III
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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
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To commerate the year we have designed a
special 50th Anniversary Logo.
From the Past
At the
inaugural meeting on October 23rd 1957 chaired by Dr John
Lucey, with Mr. J.I Fanning as Director of Productions, Birr Stage
Guild was charged with responsibility for the maintenance of
cultural activities in the town, sponsoring plays, pantomimes,
operas, educational films, lectures and other subjects of cultural
interest to the town and region.
While
our calendar of productions is impressive it does not include the
many educational and artistic initiatives which BSG has facilitated,
organised and funded such as Youth Dance, Childrens Theatre Summer
Camps, Choral Festivals, and training courses in performance,
technical expertise and directing.



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