Mullingar Arts Centre 20th Anniversary

TOPIC • 15 November, 2018

FEATURE

Mullingar Arts Centre

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TOPIC • 15 November, 2018

FEATURE

20 YEARS MULLINGAR ARTS CENTRE

MULLINGAR ARTS CENTRE CELEBRATES TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY! “20 years together!”

On Monday, 19 November, the Mullingar Arts Centre will remember and celebrate twenty years to the day since its establishment and continuing development of youth, their abilities in the performing arts and necessary life skills to help them along their way in life.

While many would think that an arts centre exists solely to teach younger people how to sing, or act, or dance, what really happens is a much subtler yet more rewarding experience, granting skills that ensure a child can grow into their best self.

Skills such as creativity, motor skills, critical thinking, collaboration, self confidence, focus, accountability, and perseverance are far and above some of the most valuable life lessons a young mind can absorb; all of which are part and parcel of the world of performing arts - all of which are right on ones doorstep at the Mullingar Arts Centre.

Centre Director Sean Lynch has been with the Centre since the very beginning and he says that its primary goal is to promote youth development.

“We’re the leading centre in the country for arts education,” he told Topic when we caught up with him recently.

“We have the most youth groups in the country, and I am so proud of the involvement of each and every one of them.”

Sean and his personnel currently cater for over 3,000 students across Mullingar and surrounds each week.

The Centre’s famous outreach programmes travel to schools all over the midlands to spread performing arts to rural areas ensuring that no child is left behind. “We just want to give the kids the opportunity to see the arts - all arts.”

Since day one, the Arts Centre has accomplished precisely that.

Every week is a new beginning for the facility which sees audiences travel from across the country to catch up with their favourite characters from plays and books; performances from beloved musicians, bands, and singers; comedians, storytellers, and entertainers of all description have taken to the Mullingar Arts Centre Stage since a cold November night in 1998.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER The opening gala night celebrating an entirely new chapter in Mullingar attracted a capacity attendance, which included a performance of the musical ‘Chess’ by Lakeland Productions, one of the midlands first official performing arts troupes.

Locals donned their tuxedos and gowns for an event that had been looked forward to since sprinklings of rumours of an Arts Centre began in the 1980s.

Opening the ‘Mullingar Integrated Arts Centre’, as it was known in its formative years, were then Minister for Public Enterprise Mary O’Rourke and Michael D Higgins, a TD at the time.

Joining the ceremonies were prominent local figures, some of whom had much involvement in the fruition of the Arts Centre, including Willie Penrose TD, Cllr Michael Dollard, County Managers Ciaran McGrath and Jack

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Mullingar’s £1.4m Integrated Arts Centre was officially opened by (then) Minister for Public Enterprise, Mrs Mary O’Rourke TD on Thursday night, 19 November, 1998. The gala opening night included a performance of the musical Chess by Lakeland Productions, and pictured following the unveiling of a plaque to mark the opening in the foyer of the new Centre on the night were Michael D Higgins TD, Sen. Camillus Glynn, Cllr Kieran Molloy, Chairman of Westmeath County Council; Minister O’Rourke TD, Paul McGrath TD, and Willie Penrose TD. Taaffe, and Cllr Keiran Molloy, who bestowed a key symbolising the old County Hall, to Mr Taaffe, Chairman of the Centre’s Board of Directors.

Former Minister Mary O’Rourke said that she was honoured to have been asked to perform the opening of the beautifully refurbished building as the new Arts Centre, and

expressed special thanks to Ciaran McGrath for his role in making the dream a reality. As she concluded her duties for the evening, Mrs O’Rourke stated her surety that “the combination of old and new in the refurbished Centre would be very much a part of the life of Mullingar, Westmeath, and the adjoining coun-

Success has certainly followed, and twenty years later, the Arts Centre is more dedicated than ever to bringing the performing arts to as many minds - young and old as possible.

Minister Mary O’Rourke and Michael D Higgins, both with big parts to play in the opening of the Mullingar Arts Centre in 1998, pictured at the ceremony.

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Frank McDermott and wife Anne pictured at the opening of the Mullingar Arts Centre on 19 November, 1998

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TOPIC • 15 November, 2018

FEATURE

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20 YEARS MULLINGAR ARTS CENTRE

HOW IT ALL BEGAN? Plans for a local Arts Centre had been discussed since the 80s when former County Manager Ciaran McGrath discussed the possibilities with Jack Taaffe, another former County Manager, who suggested a feasibility study. Mr McGrath met with the Irish Arts Council and a study was undertaken, but subsequently progress was

suspended, due to lack of finance.

Years later, in 1993, a National Arts Plan showed something of a ‘black hole’ for arts development in the midlands, which led to the establishment of the Department of Arts, Culture, and the Gaeltacht.

The feasibility study was approved by the Westmeath County Council, and then

Minister Michael D Higgins was approached for funding. Mr Higgins saw a design that the County Managers had in mind for the Centre, and personally arrived in Mullingar to inspect the premises, indicating he was favorably disposed to it, and approved a £750,000 grant.

BREAKING GROUND Work on the Mullingar Arts Centre began in October, 1997, when the County Hall was closed. The main area of the County Hall was converted into an attractive 407 seat theatre, including a 162 seat retractable unit to the front, which allowed for floor space for dancing or other events.

The theatre also doubled as a conference centre with state of the art audio/visual and lighting systems built into the audito-

rium.

Features installed in Mullingar, which Centre Director Sean Lynch are particularly proud of, are the raked stage, which slopes to offer viewers a better view, and the stage curtains. While most theatre curtains open by raising up, or split in the middle to separate horizontally, the Mullingar Arts Centre curtains raise diagonally, which is known as French action, a rarity in stage curtains, with only one or two

instances in the British Isles.

The remainder of the building was completely transformed, an attractive new entrance and a fine exhibition established in the former supper room and kitchen area of the County Hall.

The upper floor housed two workshops, anticipated to be used by community arts groups for classes and meetings, along with office space.

Mullingar man, ‘Banjo’ Quinn got a big break with the Mullingar Arts Centre and now stars in national adverts and programmes.

SHOWRUNNERS Management of the Arts Centre in its formative years was undertaken by former member of the County Council staff and today a celebrated local author - Patricia Gibney, who was joined by Sean Lynch, Technical Manager at

the time.

The two embarked on a journey advancing one of the town’s most impressive and admired projects with support from the Board of Directors at the time, comprising Chairman Jack Taaffe, Vice Chairper-

son Lis Osbourne, Paddy Whitelaw, Gearoid O’Bradaigh, Rhona Kelly, Annette Clancy, Paul McGrath TD, Willie Penrose TD, Senator Camillus Glynn, and Cllr Henry Abbott.

Lorcan Daly brings music to the classroom in schools across the county.

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FEATURE

CHESS - OPENING MOVE ON OPENING NIGHT

Head of Dance at Moore details the TOPIC • 15 November, 2018

20 YEARS MULLINGAR ARTS CENTRE • 20 YEARS MULLINGAR ARTS CENTRE •

The gala opening for the Mullingar Arts Centre was enjoyed by all attendees, especially considering that the evening’s events were augmented by the Centre’s first ever show, ‘Chess’, by Lakeland Productions.

Running from opening night and for the following ten evenings straight, the performance was Lakeland Production’s fourteenth of the year, and they chose what is widely considered to be one of the most difficult and demanding of modern musicals, to celebrate a new chapter in Mullingar life.

Attendees at the musical were loud in their

praise of the performances given by the Mullingar group. Difficult roles were said to be handled expertly by the cast members, and with singing and music of a very high standard from all participants.

Leading roles for the Arts Centre’s maiden voyage went to wellknown midlands denizens Colette Dunning, John Smith, Finbar Coady, Liam Gilleran, Bibi Cahill, Joe O’Hehir, and Murt Ennis.

A review of the performance (from a publication which shall remain nameless) stated, “The audiences seem to revel in the new plush surroundings of the Mullingar Arts Centre plus the colour enthusi-

asm, and talent on display on stage. The colour is added to by some visually stunning costumes, the likes of which have never been seen before, and some of the performances just have to be seen to be appreciated.”

The musical ‘Chess’ is known for its many scene changes, which make great demands on all concerned, thus it was critical that all went perfectly on the night, paving the way for future thespians and performers in the years to come.

Set designs were built for exotic locations such as Merano, Italy, and Bangkok, Thailand.

Colourful characters from across the globe were flawlessly channelled through song,

dance, and intimate performances.

Joining the individual performers for their time on stage were cameo appearances from the Town Band, Army, and Choral Society, all adding up to a magnificent night’s entertainment.

The show was over and all that was left was a uproarious standing ovation; that and packed performances for all remaining shows.

One satisfied patron was heard saying as they left: “The most professional piece of quality theatre I’ve ever seen”; a statement that applies as much today as it did on that memorable night twenty years ago.

THE MULLINGAR ARTS CENTRE MUSIC DEPARTMENT - by Angie Lynch, Head of Music

Here in the Mullingar Arts Centre, we cater for all styles of music and for all age ranges.

We offer private individual instrumental lessons, and also group lessons, in flute, piano, guitar and drum. Students can participate in the Royal Academy School of Music’s examination process if they choose to, or they may just wish to learn an instrument but not partake in the examination system. We also offer private singing lessons to all age groups.

Music is offered as a core subject in each of our three Stage Schools: Our Kinder School, which caters for children aged three to six years; our Junior Stage School, which caters for children aged seven to twelve; and our Senior Stage School, which caters for teenagers aged thirteen to eighteen years old.

We have four in-house

choirs: Our Gospel Choir, which grows from strength to strength year on year, has many awards and certifications to its name – the latest accolade being awarded first place in the Navan Choral Competition’s Best Gospel Choir section. The choir sing regularly in the Cathedral of Christ the King and also appear at many local functions.

Our Junior Stage School Choir is in its infancy and is currently working on a repertoire.

The Junior Choir will participate in the Naval Choral Competition in 2019.

The Senior Stage School choir, like its younger sibling – the Junior Choir – is also in its infancy and they too are working on a repertoire and will compete in Naval Choral Competition in 2019 also.

Our fourth choir is the Sweet Tunes Active

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Retired Choir, now in its sixth year has grown from a membership of ten to its current number of 61. The choir participate at many local functions and events and also take trips abroad as a group. They will be joining the other three choirs in the Naval Choral Competition next year.

The Music Department also caters for the staging of many Musicals in the Centre. Apart from our annual Christmas and end of year shows, the Music Department has facilitated in the Junior Stage Schools’ Production of: ‘The Wizard of Oz’, ‘Jungle Book’, and most recently ‘Aladdin’.

Post-Christmas, the Junior Stage School will begin their preparation for the next production: Peter Pan. The Senior Stage School recently hosted their first and very successful production: ‘High School Musical’ and they

“We dance for laughter - We dance for tears - We dance for madness - We dance for fears - We dance for hopes We dance for screams - We are the dancers - We create the dreams”... Poem by: Albert Einstein

The benefits of dance to the human body, physically, emotionally, and mentally are well documented: Flexibility • balance • posture • muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness • mental stimulation • aerobic fitness • muscle tone • creativity • musicality • confidence • coordination • spatial awareness • muscle memory • weight management • stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis • improved condition of your heart and lungs.

The Mullingar Arts Centre provides all the outlets your little dancer needs.

DIONYSUS SCHOOL OF DANCE Dionysus school of dance is directed

by Siobhan Moore (B.A Honours Degree in Dance and Theatre studies at London Studio Centre) who is also dance tutor for the Mullingar Youth academy and Head of Dance for the Mullingar Arts Centre.

Dionysus dance classes consist of jazz, ballet, contemporary, musical theatre, hip hop, commercial and lyrical styles of dance.

Acro classes are also

availible . The classes are taught by qualified/established dance tutors who encourage a fun and energetic atmosphere and concentrate on dance technique, fitness, musicality, creativity, flexibility, solo work, group work, street performances, stage performances, competition work and choreography. The students get the opportunity to travel to the Board Gais to enjoy a touring musical/dance performance . They are often involved in street performances and competitions and each year they showcase their dance routines on the Mullingar Arts Centre stage.

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SPIRIT PERFORMANCE OF DANCE TECHNIQUE Director Sarah Corrigan has taken part in numerous musicals and pantomimes in both student and adult productions. She studied at Sallynoggin College of Further Education, Bray Institute of Further Educa-

Angie Lynch. will present another show next year.

The Student Players have been performing musicals for over twelve years now – some of their very successful productions include: ‘Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Les Miserables’ and ‘Miss Saigon’, to name but a few.

Mullingar Musical Society is another inhouse production group and they have staged many community based musicals including: ‘Singing in the ‘Rain, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘Annie and The Producers’.

David O’Malley

Dionisus School of Dance.

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the Arts Centre Siobhan benefits of dance TOPIC • 15 November, 2018

FEATURE

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• 20 YEARS MULLINGAR ARTS CENTRE • 20 YEARS MULLINGAR ARTS CENTRE

tion and continued on to Edinburgh College where she obtained a BA (Hons) in Dance.

Spirit dance classes take place in the Mullingar Arts Centre on Mondays 5.45pm7.45pm and Tuesdays 4pm-7pm. Classes cover a variety of techniques such as jazz, classical, contemporary and lyrical along with street and tap, they cater for all ages and aim to train dancers to be rounded creative performers, while enjoying fun filled dance classes. www.facebook.com/spiritperformanceofdancetechnique/

ELEVATE ACADEMY OF DANCE Elevate Academy of Dance is the new and inspiring dance academy of the midlands.

The artistic director is Aimee MacManus (BA Honours , Dance Studies & ISTD Diploma in Dance Education) who also choreographs and teaches within the academy. Elevate offers many dance styles from ballet/lyrical,

jazz/musical theatre to commercial as well as offers dance examination opportunities in the style of modern theatre, acro dance and contemporary dance.

Elevate provides a fun but technical dance programme where dancers are given the opportunity to perform, compete and take dance examinations up to vocational level. All information on Elevate classes are on the website www.elevatedance.ie Classes are from age 3 years to 19 years. www.facebook.com/elevatedanceclasses/

MULLINGAR SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL BALLET The Mullingar Arts Centre School Of Ballet is a Royal Academy of Dance registered classical ballet school in Mullingar Co.Westmeath. Classes are held in Mullingar Arts Centre weekly for ages three and up. The school is run by Trisha

Elevate Academy of Dance.

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Trisha trained at the Royal Academy of Dance in London and has a BA in Ballet Education and years of ballet teaching experience. The school offers RAD examinations and stage productions to students and all are encouraged to find their own passion for classical ballet as well as learning the technique, grace and performance skills required by a classical dancer.

To book contact Mullingar Art Centre 044 934 7777 or visit our Facebook page: https://m.facebook.c om/macballetschool/ Siobhan Moore, Aimee Mac Manus, Sarah Corrigan, Patricia McDermott, Eadaoin Mc Kenna and Samantha O’ Byrne are among some of the

many talented dance tutors that teach for the Mullingar and rural stage schools and outreach dance classes.

The same talented crew also choreograph for the Mullingar Panto the Mullingar Students players, the Mullingar Musical Society and the junior / senior stage school productions .

No matter where the dance is taking place, there is one thing that unites all dancers and that’s the love and feeling that one gets when they are set free by movement and music.

For more information on all things dance please visit the Mullingar Arts centres website http:// www.mullingarartscentre.ie

RURAL STAGE SCHOOLS CASTLEPOLLARD Thursdays from 4.30pm to 6pm RATHWIRE Wednesdays 3.30pm to 6pm Junior: 3.30pm to 4.30pm (3 to 6 Years) Senior: 4.30pm to 6pm (7+ Years) DELVIN Thursdays 3.30pm to 6pm Junior: 3.30pm to 4.30pm (3 to 6 Years) Senior: 4.30pm to 6pm (7+ Years) ROCHFORTBRIDGE Fridays 3.30pm to 6pm Junior: 3.30pm to 4.30pm (3 to 6 Years) Senior: 4.30pm to 6pm (7+ Years) KILBEGGAN Saturdays 10.30am to 1pm Junior: 10.30am to 11.30am (3 to 6 Years) Senior: 11.30am to 1pm (7+ Years) RATHOWEN Saturdays 3.30pm -5.30pm (4+ Years) BALLYMAHON Thursdays 3.30pm to 6pm Junior: 3.30pm to 4.30pm (3 to 6 Years) Senior: 4.30pm to 6pm (7+ Years) CASTLETOWN GEOGHEGAN Tuesdays 3.30pm to 5pm (4 + Years) LONGWOOD Fridays 3.30pm to 5pm (4 + Years) LOUGHEGAR Tuesdays 3.30pm to 5pm (4 + Years) BALLYNACARGY Mondays 3.30pm to 5pm (4 + Years)

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TOPIC • 15 November, 2018

FEATURE

A LOOK AT DRAMA AT THE ARTS CENTRE

20 YEARS MULLINGAR ARTS CENTRE

UPCOMING EVENTS THE MATCHMAKER 21/11/2018 Starring Mary McEvoy & Jon Kenny, the play follows the efforts of Dicky Mick Dicky O’Connor to make matches for the lonely and lovelorn.

ALL FOR ME GROG 24/11/2018 Presented by Marty Walsh All For Me Grog, is the show that brings you the songs and story of Ireland’s most internationally famous folk band of all time -THE DUBLINERS VLADIMIR & ANTON 'THE VIOLINISTS' 01/12/2018 Presented by Vladimir Brothers by birth and joined together by a passion for music, the boys were born to follow in their ancestors' footsteps. Vladimir & Anton are the 4th generation of musical maestros.

JACK & THE BEANSTALK 5/12/2018 - 22/12/2018 Presented by Mullingar Pantomime Group Mullingar Pantomime Group are proud to present their 2018 production Jack & The Beanstalk following the huge success of Peter Pan ABBA FOREVER - THE CHRISTMAS SHOW 16/12/2018 Presented by Tommy Swarbrigg Mamma Mia! ABBA Forever are back in Mullingar for the ultimate Christmas night out!

A NIGHT OF MUSIC WITH MARK IRWIN 27/12/2018 Presented by Mark Irwin A chilled night of music to wind down after the Christmas madness, more details to follow.

ROCK N ROLL YEARS & DANCE HALL DAYS 28/12/2018 Presented by David Hull Promotions The show will transport you back to the nostalgic days and incredible music and artistes of 50s and 60s.

Combining evocative love ballads with the greatest Rock‘n’Roll hit songs of the era FLASH HARRY 30/12/2018 Presented by David Hull Promotions The Show Must Go On. Since the sad passing of Freddie Mercury in 1991, Flash Harry have been living that sentiment.

BOTHERED & BEWILDERED 10/01/2019 - 12/01/2019 Presented by Little Brother Productions A comedy drama about one woman's struggle with Alzheimer's. The play follows Irene and her two daughters Louise and Beth as the girls lose their mum in spirit but not in body.

NEIL DELAMERE 25/01/2019 Presented by Mullingar Arts Centre

Neil Delamere, returns to tour with a brand new show.

This time he thinks he has that whole "illusion of control" idea sussed.

DEREK RYAN 03/02/2019 Presented by Rising Country music superstar Derek Ryan returns to Mullingar in February 2019!

TENORS UNLIMITED 08/02/2019 Presented by Upbeat Management The number one selling operatic trio Tenors Un Limited, the ‘Rat Pack of Opera’, is proud to present their newest touring show celebrating 15 years.

BOSCO - 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR 10/02/2019 Presented by Lambert Puppet Theatre Bosco is Bosco, not a boy, not a girl, just a Bosco: a cheeky, lovely, funny, slightly-cracked, irrepressible, eternal five-year-old who lives in a box!

VIENNESE STRAUSS GALA 16/02/2019 Presented by Viennese Strauss Gala Recreating the romance of the Viennese Festive season, reminding you of a bygone age of glamorous soirees and Strauss waltzes.

THE MAN IN BLACK 22/02/2019 Presented by Tommy Swarbrigg The No. 1 Johnny Cash Tribute right across America “The Man In Black” returns to Ireland for a short tour.

ALISON SPITTLE 23/02/2019 Presented by Colm McCabe Promotions Tatler comedian of the year and the star and writer of RTE's 'Nowhere Fast' and 'Culchie Club'.

THE LEGEND OF LUKE KELLY 02/03/2019 Presented by Mullingar Arts Centre Chris and his amazing band will perform amazing renditions of the songs of Luke Kelly and The Dubliners, plus many other famous Irish ballads JASON BYRNE 07/03/2019 Presented by Mullingar Arts Centre The star of ‘Irelands Got Talent’, Jason Byrne is one the most exciting live comedy performers in the world.

FAT CHANCERS 23/03/2019 Presented by Colm McCabe Promotions Irish comedy fans can enjoy a double dose of laughs over the coming months with top Irish stand-ups Bernard O’Shea and Karl Spain in their show, Fat Chancers.

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Is it….

A person consistently overreacting i.e. making a big deal over something unnecessarily A word of Greek origin meaning ‘action’ that refers to a performance on the stage in which actors act out the events and characters of a story.

There are different types of drama: comedy, naturalism, tragedy etc.

There is usually an audience There are different types of drama: comedy, naturalism, tragedy etc.

There is usually an audience.

For us in the Arts Centre so many words come to mind when we think about drama: games, friends, self-esteem, well-being, acting, being creative and innovative, problem solving, the stage, theatre, stepping into someone else’s shoes, engaging, invigorating.

And as many of you know (because your children attend one of our Stage Schools) drama can fast become the love of somebody’s life. Ask students of our stage schools what they think about drama and they’ll say: fun, challenging, using my imagination, pretending, making up stories, acting on stage. For some students it isn’t all about the stage but the process and the taking part, and that is sometimes where the richest learning takes place.

Children in our stage schools are encouraged to experiment with acting, singing and dancing. Our drama curriculum encourages using the voice, body, exploring emotions, creating stories, working with others, trying on costumes, drama genres, acting styles, learning about stage makeup, performing on stage etc. It really is a lot of fun.

We are very proud to enable children, young people and adults to experience an enriching drama programme in a safe and exciting way. We are exceptionally lucky to have a team of tutors who pride themselves on their craft as arts practitioners, and also teachers – seeing confidence grow, moments of happiness, developing talent and sharing achievements with those in attendance at our stage schools is very rewarding. …

Drama isn’t just what we do in stage schools though. The Arts Centre prides itself on running outreach programmes in schools, working with young adults to put on plays and musicals (Student Players), hosting local theatre companies plays, hosting workshops with acting professionals, and of course a rich programme of events that invites national and international theatre companies to play on our stage. From children’s theatre to comedy to hard-hitting drama to Shakespeare there really is something for everyone! Ask the audiences of our many plays and theatrical performances and they’ll say: invigorating, an escape, mind-blowing etc.

Everyone leaves with a smile on their face after visiting the Arts Centre, whether it was a class, a show, a meeting with like-minded friends, a chat with reception, there is an overwhelming sense of community spirit when you become a member of the Arts Centre and it really is a joy to be a part of.

Best wishes to Mullingar Arts Centre from all at the

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- by Sarah Nally, Head of Drama

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Congratulations to

Mullingar Arts Centre on 20 years

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TOPIC • 15 November, 2018

FEATURE

35

20 YEARS MULLINGAR ARTS CENTRE

RURAL STAGE SCHOOLS BRINGING THE ARTS TO EVERYONE One of the Arts Centre’s proudest achievements of M ullingar Arts Centre to date, is the establishment of the very successful Rural Stage Scho ols, making the Arts accessible to our rural communities.

In November 2014, it was decided that rather than parents having commute to Mullingar on a Saturday to attend the stage schools in the Arts Centre, it would be hugely beneficial if children had a stage school in their own community.

The first rural stage school opened in St Joseph's Parish Hall, Rochfortbridge in January 2015. It is still thriving to date with 70 students from Rochfortbridge and surrounding areas in current classes.

Catering for children aged three to seventeen, classes take place on Fridays for ages three to six from 3:30pm to 4:30pm, and ages seven plus is from 4:30pm to 6pm. The children enjoy the classes and through the Arts learn to develop their confidence, social, and communication skills, while making new friends and memories.

Following Rochfortbridge, the Centre opened schools in Delvin, Rathwire, Castlepollard, Kilbeg-

Congratulations to Mullingar Arts Centre on your 20th anniversary from all at DPL Mullingar

Mullingar Business Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath Email : mullingar@dpl.ie Phone : 044-9340759

Opening Hours Mon – Fri: 08:00 – 17:00 Closed for lunch: 13:00 – 14:00 Sat: 09:00 – 13:00

gan, Ballynacargy, Rathowen, CastletownGeoghegan, Ballymahon, Longwood, and Loughegar.

All schools participate in shows at Christmas and summer in Mullingar Arts Centre.

Some students have also performed in Arts Centre Pantomimes; some have just started rehearsals for this year's upcoming show, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’.

They have also made outstanding achievements in their Speech and Drama exams with the Royal Irish Academy of Music, receiving some of the highest marks in the country.

The Centre has lots of aspiring little actors and some have been lucky enough to audition for big productions with casting directors in Dublin.

“We are so proud of all of our students and thankful for the continued support of their families and the local community.”

There has been a great interest across the county in this great facility, and through word of mouth the Centre has expanded to eleven Rural Stage Schools and counting.

It has been a very exciting few years for all concerned and Arts Centre staff say they’re greatly enjoyed watch-

ing the stage schools and students flourish.

Classes are run in six week blocks but new students are welcome at any time. To enrol or for any enquiries please call Mullingar Arts Centre on 0449347777 or check out or website www.mullinga rartscentre.ie or our Facebook page: Mullingar Arts Centre Rural Stage Schools.

PANTO GROUP Mullingar Pantomime Group, which is an independent organisation, was originally set up to raise funds to assist in local youth development. In particular, after the student production in 2007 had lost money, it was then decided to stage an annual pantomime as a means of raising funds. Over the years, the Pantomime Group has contributed enormously to the Centre’s youth programme.

In 2015, Music In The Classrooms was cre-

ated, and a music teacher visited schools and introduced the students to the instruments of a concert band. After six weeks of classes, students came into the Arts Centre for a performance by the Army Band or Garda Band.

In 2016/2017, 59 schools throughout the county participated.

In 2017, a new initiative ‘Show In A School’ was introduced, where tutors from the Centre visited schools over a period of three months, after which a musical was then staged on their own school premises. The Centre provided lights, sound, sets, props and costumes for the performance at the schools, of which nineteen took part.

Currently, there are fourteen schools in the Mullingar area preparing to stage ‘A Jungle Story’ in the Arts Centre in the new year.

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE FUTURE 36

TOPIC • 15 November, 2018

FEATURE

20 YEARS MULLINGAR ARTS CENTRE HISTORY OF THE MULLINGAR ARTS CENTRE AND COUNTY HALL

The highly acclaimed Cats at the Mullingar Arts Centre. .

Chairman of the Board of Directors John McGrath says that youth development has always been and will continue to be the Centre’s primary focus.

“We are community based in and for youth development across all the arts. We have brought theatre, full productions, from Glasson to Ballymahon, Rathwire, Castlepollard, across Westmeath.

“We’re incredibly proud of the involvement of all the kids.

3,000 children have access to massive scale productions, and learning all about the arts.

The Arts Centre aims to develop an audience

and give Westmeath national quality productions, without the prices.

Mullingar Arts Centre hosts a number of initiatives which offer locals an introduction to the arts, a practice which John says is due to get stronger and further outreaching in years to come.

2018 saw eighteen major shows at the Art Centre and is set to culminate in this year’s highly anticipated panto, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’. The Centre’s panto is critical to making each year a success in Mullingar, with the entire production raising enormous amounts of funds contributing to the maintenance and

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continuation of Mullingar’s own performing arts hub.

“There are 85 rural schools,” continued John, “We’re bringing music to the classrooms with Lorcan Daly. There are the transition year programmes with CBS, Wilson’s, St Finian’s, the Community College, Columba - all of these are funded by the major productions, like our panto.”

“We have parents come in and say, ‘My child is shy, see what you can do,’ and then in a couple of weeks’ time they say, ‘can I have my old child back?’”

“The Centre also supports the local economy, providing jobs and opportunities for people to have a livelihood.

Most of our tutors came here when they were younger, left for college, and have now come back to us to pass on their skills to the younger generation,” said John.

Shane Barkey, who handles public relations and marketing for the Arts Centre, also performs and has a hand in organising a majority of the productions, is one of these who benefitted from the Centre at a young age.

“I started when I was fifteen, went to college, and now I’m back. It’s an extremely unique experience: the camaraderie, friends, family, and forging special relationships over the years. There’s always something happening here. We have over 40 people in work experience now, and they’re gaining an education in the arts, as well as learning what it is like in a work environment.”

Shane explains that even if a student at the Arts Centre is not performing in an upcoming show, they are encouraged to come

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The opening of the Mullingar Arts Centre in November 1998 marked a new chapter in the history of the building long known as the County Hall. The theatre in the Arts Centre first opened in 1913, and many of the leading figures in the world of Irish theatre and music have appeared on its stage over the last 105 years.

At the beginning of the 20th century, a number of local businessmen and politicians dreamed of providing Mullingar with a town hall which would be able to stage plays, concerts, and other artistic events. Robert Downes, Joseph Dowdall and PJ Cleary were among these men.

There was some opposition from some who sneered at the idea what they called “Downe’s Dance Den” yet he persisted and the new Hall was ready to open by the spring of 1913, although a row over ticket prices meant that the planned official opening by Gaelic League President Douglas Hyde never happened.

The first event was the Westmeath Hunt Ball on 28 March.

Music was provided by the band of the Highland Light Infantry Regiment - then stationed in the military barracks.

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Best wishes to Mullingar Arts Centre

Over the next weeks, a number of short plays by local authors were produced by a local drama group, and during the Easter period, the Hall showed French film ‘From the Manger to the Cross’, which caused some outrage and picketing outside the Hall due to the portrayal of the Virgin Mary by a divorcee.

RICH HISTORY In the early 20s, the Mullingar Choral Society staged a production of ‘The Mikado’, memorable because on opening night the County Hall was taken over by Republican Forces, resulting in the relocation of cast and crew to St Mary’s Hall on Bishopsgate St. From the late 1930s, local theatre companies put on productions, and in the 50s, future Nobel Prize winner Harold Pinter appeared on Mullingar’s stage before becoming famous as a playwright.

In the second half of the 20th century, the County Hall was also the venue for performances by many of the showbands of the era, including some of the earliest shows by Joe Dolan and the Drifters.

The County Council even imposed a brief ban on ‘jitterbugging’ in the mid 50s, as the rock and roll era began.

As well as dances and theatre productions, the County Hall hosted pet shows, Missions’ sales, and general and local election counts,

which provided their own drama as political careers often began and ended in the Hall.

Among the politicians who learned of their fate in the County Hall were future Taoiseach Albert Reynolds and future President Erskine Childers.

THE CENTRE TODAY The County Hall closed in 1997 for major renovations, and was reopened as the Mullingar Integrated Arts Centre in November 1998.

Over the last twenty years, the Mullingar Arts Centre has continued to build on earlier traditions, and have helped nurture a new generation of Irish acting talent including Mark Irwin and Daniel Egerton.

As the Arts Centre enters its third decade and the theatre begins its second century, it can be clearly seen that Robert Downes’s vision has come to pass.

As he told one of his critics, the Mullingar Hall “shall be better and bigger than is dreamt of in your philosophy.”

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along on the night, and help out in other ways, such as ushering or to shadow technicians so they can still enjoy the production.

“It’s incredibly valuable for students to get as much out of this as they can. I found it great because I had no interest in sports, so it’s a great opportunity for children who have other interests,” continued Shane.

Over twenty years, The Mullingar Arts Centre has dedicated itself to enhancing and developing youth interest in the performing arts. Those in charge say they have no plans to slow down, and only want to increase their outreach.

The future lies wide open for the Centre, and all that is necessary for them to succeed in their goals is for the community at large to take full advantage of productions at the Arts Centre. By investing in the Arts Centre and its many wonderful shows, performances, productions, plays, musicals, and much, much more, each audience member is directly investing in their own community and the development of arts for children across the midlands.

BY RUTH ILLINGWORTH

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Wishing the team at Mullingar Arts Centre continued success

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