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07 Sept 2025
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07 Sept 2025
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Portlaoise Musical Society cast team up for their final rehearsals ahead of the 2024 run which starts next weekend in the Dunamaise Arts Centre.
Portlaoise Musical Society celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year with the promise of its most spectacular show yet starting next weekend.
Portlaoise Musical Society who enjoyed a sell-out success, standing ovations and rave reviews for their most recent show Made in Dagenham last November, are really excited to bring one of the most beloved Broadway shows to the stage of the Dunamaise Arts Centre for its dazzling Portlaoise revival.
The Society's shows are always a huge draw on the arts and entertainment calendar each year in Laois and 2024 promises to deliver again and perhaps even better that ever.
Guys & Dolls takes audiences from the heart of Times Square in New York to the cafés of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of the Big Apple, but eventually, everyone ends up right where they belong.
The original production of Guys and Dolls got what might be the most unanimously ecstatic reviews in Broadway history. Set in Damon Runyon's mythical New York City, Guys & Dolls is an oddball romantic comedy that centres around Gambler Nathan Detroit (played by Andrew Docherty), his girlfriend, nightclub performer Miss Adelaide (played by Aishling Rohan), his fellow gambler Sky Masterson (played by Cormac Malone) and straight-laced missionary Sarah Brown (played by Ciara Finlay).
Guys & Dolls is set to be one of Portlaoise Musical Society’s most spectacular yet with a set built specially for the Dunamaise stage by Anthony Kirby and Broadway-like costumes accompanied by breath-taking singing and sensational dancing.
This year’s show is being directed by Art McGauran, choreographed by Stephanie Browne and musical direction by Mary Rose McNally, the same team that produced Made in Dagenham.
The production will be the perfect culmination of a year of celebration for a society which has blossomed into one of the most successful and innovative musical groups in Ireland.
JJ Tynan is the Chairman of Portlaoise Musical Society. MORE BELOW PICTURE.
The Portlaoise Musical Society gang on Culture Night in the Dunamaise Arts Centre.
“Over the past quarter century, Portlaoise Musical Society has grown from a small group with a big dream into a vibrant part of Laois' arts and cultural landscape. This year we celebrate more than just our past achievements, we look to the future with excitement and ambition, committed to nurturing musical theatre in Laois and continuing to provide a platform where local talent can shine.
“ In the years to come, we hope to bring even more people into the joy of performance, inspire the next generation of performers and keep the spirit of live theatre thriving in our community,” he said.
The group are making the most of their anniversary celebrations this year having recently held their glitzy Silver Anniversary Ball at the Midlands Park Hotel as well as a fantastic commemoration of their first ever production ‘Oklahoma!’ at Fossey Mountain Ranch.
In 1999, ‘Laois Musical Society’ (which later became ‘Portlaoise Musical Society’) was established after a small group of people including Timmy and Josie Keane, Catherine Scully and Joe O’Brien met up to devise a plan for the county’s first musical society.
The group first took to the stage with the show Oklahoma! under the helm of its inaugural committee including Chairperson Timmy Keane, Vice Chairperson Joan McEvoy, Secretary Joe O’Brien, Assistant Secretary Carmel McSweeney, Treasurer Ken McPherson, PRO Seán Ó’Domhnaill and members Liam Ahern, Josephine Keane, Yvonne Murphy and Catherine Scully.
The society immediately captivated the local community, its members and audiences and went on to present 22 more fabulous productions (becoming 23 productions following ‘Guys & Dolls’!).
Within the 25 years, the society went from strength to strength with high acclamations and winning a plethora of A.I.M.S. (Association of Irish Musical Societies) All-Ireland Musical Awards. The stand out moments being in 2019, when the society won ‘Best Overall Show’ with Titanic - The Musical and the following year winning ‘Best Overall Show’ (Runner-up), with Ragtime-The Musical!
Portlaoise Musical Society take to the stage of the Dunamaise Arts Centre with Guys & Dolls from Saturday 16th to Saturday 23rd November.
The Society promise another spectacular production for the society. Don’t miss out and book tickets (priced €25/€23) now at www.dunamaise.ie or Tel: 057 8663355.
Further information about the society can be seen at www.portlaoisemusicalsociety.ie
Shows over the years:
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