Tag Archives: theatre royal

Here is the moving opening to Stage Fright’s production of Bryan Flynns Pentimenti.

Here is a lovely video from ‘A Night For Billy’ featuring the great Des Manahan and the equally great Vicki Graham performing ‘I Won’t Send Roses’ from Mack & Mabel.

Todays video from ‘The Flying Pigs Ball’ – it is Do Wa Diddy and Officer Krupke featuring a young cast of superstars way back in 1995…

This is from Spotlight Productions version of Godspell, staged in 1994 in the Theatre Royal, Waterford.

Here is the title song from ‘Hamilton’. Extracts of this were staged by Ignite Productions in their ‘Best of Broadway’ show in 2016.

Ahead of our live stream tomorrow (Sunday 5th) night, have a browse of the show programme from ‘Roast’. This show was staged in 2015 and again in 2016 by huge demand in the Theatre Royal by Ignite Productions. 2015 – Show Programme – ‘Roast’

From their brilliant production of Sweeney Todd here is ‘The Ballad Of Sweeney Todd’ from Bowler Hat.

Here is the show stopping ‘Fall of Saigon’ from ‘Miss Saigon’ staged by the South Eastern Theatre Group in the Theatre Royal in 2013.

Here is the Crooners scene from 2011’s variety show featuring Tobie Hickey, Lynsey Penkert, Trish Orpen, Michelle Quilty and the legendary Billy McCarthy.

Here is Niamh Fennessy giving us the beautiful ‘Far From The Home I Love’ from ‘Fiddler On The Roof’ from WMS.

Here is the beautiful finale to Act 1 of ‘The Sound Of Music’ delivered in style by the wonderful Lynsey Penkert as Reverend Mother.

For today, here is the video of the brilliant ‘Herod’s Song’ from The South Eastern Theatre Groups production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’.

From the 2015 inaugural production of ‘Carousel’ by WMS, here is the iconic ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ – for Thursday June 25th 2020 – the year that Liverpool won the League after a 30 year wait… but who’s counting?

A clip from Theatrebox’s 2018 production of ‘Hairspray’ with Jack McGrath leading the troops.

Here’s the huge opening from Ignite Productions version of ‘In The Heights’, directed by Vicki Graham and fronted by Brian Tuohy as Usnavi.

Here is the 1991 Season Brochure from the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera. No Waterford entry that particular year, but worth including for completeness. Click below to have a browse. 1991 – WIFLO – Season Brochure

The opening number to Stage Frights 1993 production of ‘Grease’ staged in the Theatre Royal, directed by Bryan Flynn.

Back in 1997 Stage Fright produced a concert to celebrate 121 years of the Theatre Royals existence and called it ‘Gala 121’. Here is the show programme to take a look… Click below. 1997 – Gala 121 – Show Programme

Here is the show programme from the 1996 WDS production of ‘Stags and Hens’. Click below to have a look. 1996 – Stags And Hens – Show Programme

The wonderful Des Manahan in the performance that he later told us all was his final performance on stage. Des plays Gus the Theatre Cat in the South Eastern Theatre Groups ‘Cats’. Well worth a look – Des is simply wonderful in the part.

Here is the epic opening to Act II of Chess – ‘One Night In Bangkok’ as produced by Stage Fright in 1996. Paul Kavanagh takes the lead as Freddie Trumper.

Another very popular item from our stream last Sunday was this one – a fine scene from Bowler Hat’s Sweeney Todd, a show we don’t get to see enough of. Have a look – with stand out performances from Ray Collins and Michael Quinlan.

A Jim Nolan play in Waterford is a red letter day. This is the show programme from the 2007 Theatre Royal produced ‘Sky Road’, directed by Ben Barnes. Click below to have a browse. 2007 – Sky Road – Show Programme

The hilarious duet ‘Agony’ from Imagine Theatre Group’s version of ‘Into The Woods’, produced in 2008.

From way back in 1983 here is the show programme from De La Salle Musical Society’s production of ‘The Gypsy Baron’ which was directed by the legendary Ray Jeffery. 1983 – The Gypsy Baron – Show Programme

This is the emotional finale act 1 from Bryan Flynn’s epic Pentimenti staged in the Theatre Royal in 1998.

A classic moment from the past with Petey, Leo and Nicky in fine form – from the Raytext 1981 Tops of the Town show.

From the opening of the 1989 Tramore Tops Of The Town Show.

1994 was the year that De La Salle entered with ‘The King And I’ after scooping the AIMS best show award. We had 2 productions of Chess – Playback Productions and eventual winners Carrick On Suir. Here is the Season brochure for a browse. 1994 – WIFLO Season Brochure

From the show that changed the Theatre Scene in Waterford – Greased Lightning. In 1991 Stage Fright burst onto the scene becoming the first Youth society in Waterford and paving the way for many more to follow their lead in the following years.

Another classic ‘Tops’ Programme – this time from 1982 and featuring Raytex vs Clover. 1982 – Tops Of The Town Local – Raytex vs Clover

Here is the brilliant opening to Act 2 of Oklahoma from Waterford Musical Society – ‘The Farmer And The Cowman’.

This from De La Salle musical Society’s 2007 production of Annie Get Your Gun.

This from Waterford Musical Society’s 2018 production of ‘Fiddler On The Roof’

Here’s the title song from De La Salle Musical Society’s 2000 production of ‘Guys and Dolls’ – fronted by David Condon and Tobie Hickey.

One of the First Ladies of Waterford Musical Theatre – Martina Flynn – in a brilliant performance of ‘Lost In His Arms’ from the 1992 Edmund Rice Choral And Musical Society’s production of Annie Get Your Gun.

Here is the brilliant finale to Act 1 of the Hot Mikado. Taken from their 2004 production.

This is the epic finale of Les Miserables taken from the South Eastern Theatre Groups first production in 2011.

This from Spotlight Productions 1993 production of ‘The Little Shop Of Horrors’ directed by Denny Corcoran.

This is from Stage Fright’s 1996 production of ‘Chess’ featuring Paul Kavanagh as Freddie Trumper.

This from the final of the 1987 Nokia ‘Tops’ show produced by Denny Corcoran featuring Enda Jackman and John Corcoran.

Here’s the Egyptian Comedy Scene / Do The Bartman from Ray Ban 1993 as featured on our recent stream.

This from Waterford Musical Society’s 2019 production of South Pacific!

This from Premier Productions 2003 production of ‘Crazy For You’ in the Theatre Royal, Waterford.

This from Waterford Musical Society’s production of ‘Man Of La Mancha’ 2017 with Keith Flanaghan and Tobie Hickey.

This from De La Salle Musical Society’s production of ‘Some Like It Hot’ – the finale to the show.

This from the South Eastern Theatre Groups 2016 production of Starlight Express – another highlight from one of our previous streams.

This from the 1992 Port and Docks Tops of the Town show – The Dockendales!

Here is the brilliant finale to the Ray Ban ‘For Your Eyes Only’ 1993 Tops entry.

From Ignite Productions 2015 production of ‘Sister Act’ here is the rousing end to Act 1 – ‘Take Me To Heaven’ led by the wonderful Trishauna Archer.

Another request from last Sundays live streamed event… this time it’s Greased Lightning from Stage Frights debut production of ‘Grease’ way back almost 30 years ago now – 1991. Keith Dunphy leads the charge with support from Brian Collins , Dan Walsh, Damien Walsh and Fionnan ‘Fatz’ Dunphy in support.

Today I’m adding in the 1995 WIFLO Season Brochure to the archive. In 1995 the Waterford entry was ‘Oliver’ by Stage Fright under the direction of Bryan Flynn. It was to finish as runner up in the festival as well as scooping a number of individual awards. Added to the WIFLO archive here. 1995 – WIFLO – Season Brochure

Here is the epic opening to Bryan Flynns world premier of his first musical – Pentimenti. This recording is from the opening night.

Today it’s a short jump back to Christmas just gone and ‘A Cover Is Not A Book’ led by Brian and Aisling… [AdStream-A] https://player.vimeo.com/video/411009035 [AdStream-A]

Today we have ‘Little People’ from our production of ‘Ali Baba’ in 2001 featuring David Flynn on main vocals. https://player.vimeo.com/video/409746200

Today’s highlight is the opening from our 1999 production of ‘Beauty And The Beast’ https://player.vimeo.com/video/408502951

Today we have ‘Defying Gravity’ from Aladdin starring David Condon, Freda Quinlan, Hazel Kelly and a young Nathan Carey https://player.vimeo.com/video/407571819

The opening from Mother Goose in 1990 is an apt song for another beautiful day where the sun definitely has it’s hat on. https://player.vimeo.com/video/407135661

If you want to see Liam Murphy as Friar Tuck devouring a leg of chicken – this is your video! Enjoy! https://player.vimeo.com/video/406812088

Todays highlight is ‘Tale As Old As Time’ from Little Red Riding Hood, 1998 https://player.vimeo.com/video/406529498

Todays Highlight is from our 30th anniversary production of ‘Jack And The Beanstalk’ from 2015. This is an upbeat song from ‘The Lord Of The Rings’ musical. https://player.vimeo.com/video/405976703

Todays Highlight is all the way back to 1986 and Robinson Caruso – here is Paul Corcoran belting out ‘Dancing In The Dark’. https://player.vimeo.com/video/405790410

In 2006 Flaggy Lane staged a Disney Extravaganza at Christmas in the Theatre Royal – here is the show programme from that show. Click below for the programme. 2006 – Disney Extravaganza – Flaggy Lane – Show Programme

Todays highlight is Hazel Kelly belting out the classic ‘Those Were The Days’ in our production of Goldilocks in 1993 https://player.vimeo.com/video/405384710

Today we have a clip from our 2017 production of ‘Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs’ https://player.vimeo.com/video/404981560

Todays highlight reel is from our 1989 production of ‘Sinbad’. https://player.vimeo.com/video/404746904

This is a nice piece of memorabilia to add to the archive – the show booklet from the 25th anniversary of Red Kettle. It features articles from Jim Nolan, Liam Murphy, Nichola Beresford and Brian Doherty amongst others. Have a glance, it will pass an hour for you 🙂 The link is below 2010 – Soldiers, Salvage, Alice & Puck …

From their 2018 production of ‘Fiddler On the Roof’ – here is Waterford Musical Societies programme of that same show… loads of reading in there – as you get with all WMS programmes. Click the link below to view. Enjoy! 2018 – Waterford Musical Society – Fiddler On The Roof – Programme

I had a request for this one – and am happy to oblige. From the 1995 production of Brigadoon at the Theatre Royal here is the opening number. The show was produced by the Edmund Rice Choral and Musical Society.

It’s hard to find anything from Avenue Q that isn’t going to offend somebody – but this is one that won’t for sure – unless you’re offended by quality vocals! Richie Hayes, Vicki Graham and Leon Sheehan in a great trio from Avenue Q way back in 2013! https://vimeo.com/397768646

An epic song from an epic show – the Quintet from West Side Story. This particular production took to the stage in 2015 in the Theatre Royal Waterford. Enjoy!

In 1996 Stage Fright were doing ‘Chess’, Edmund Rice Choral and Musical Society were presenting ‘The Mikado’ and Tramore Combined Schools were performing the premier of ‘Whistle Down The Wind’. It was the most Waterford societies ever to appear competitively in the same festival. Have a look at the season brochure below, or have a browse of the entire WIFLO archive …

The glorious opening to Act 2 from ‘Phantom’ is Masquerade. Here is the 2014 production from the Waterford based ‘South Eastern Theatre Group’. It is a stunning piece.

I’m very grateful to Hilary McCormack for sharing a special scrapbook with me this week – full of memories – from the late 1960’s and in particular De La Salle Musical Societies productions. I’ll share it in several parts over the coming weeks. Today I have the 1965 section with ‘The Desert Song’ with press clippings and rare photos including …

A bit of Panto today. Way way back 35 years ago – (and Waterford Panto are celebrating 35 years of entertaining the people of Waterford this year) – this was the opening and closing number of ‘Ol King Cole’ staged in the Theatre Royal. Keep your eyes open for very young familiar faces – including a very young face introducing …

Nothing like a pack of mad nuns on the stage to celebrate Easter Week in style – that’s exactly what Vicki Graham’s merry troupe from Ignite Productions did in 2015. Here is ‘Raise Your Voice’ from the production with Trishauna Archer playing the lead part of Delores.

Here is a throwback to 1996 and our production of ‘Aladdin’ with David Flynn in the lead role of Aladdin – this is ‘One Jump’ – the opening number… Enjoy! https://player.vimeo.com/video/403991388

Way back to 1965 and the silver jubilee production of De La Salle MS as they presented ‘The Merry Widow’ in the Theatre Royal. Many familiar names and faces, adverts from a long bygone era – it’s all in these pages. Thanks to Patrice Power for filling in this blank for me. 1965 – The Merry Widow Show Programme

This show in 2007 had the who’s who of Waterford Theatre in 2007. A frontline that boasted Greta Rochford, Andrew Holden, Vicki Graham, Megan Cassidy, Jamie Murphy, Pat Grant, Des Manahan, Michael Quinlan , Lynsey Penkert, Rory Walshe and Holly Browne – with an ensemble made up of people who could easily have played leading rolls – it stormed to …

From 2006 – The Finale of ‘Babes In The Wood’ – a mash up of Bat Out Of Hell and Holding Out For a Hero – complete with flying Fairy! https://vimeo.com/403775917

Jumping back 24 years today to 1996 and a piece of G&S. The Edmund Rice Choral And Musical Society presented ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ in the Theatre Royal and here is an extract. This featured Denny Corcoran as a Groucho Marx styled Chief of Police!

Thank you to Patrice Power for sharing these vintage photos from 1958 and ‘The White Horse Inn’. 3 photos – in the first one is her Dad Paddy Doyle and the legendary Musical Director Stanley Bowyer. Then we have in costume Joyce Conway, Betty and Aileen Cooney. Finally in the third one we have Angela Quilty, John Hauxvell and Betty …

Huge thanks to Alleyn Pheasy for sharing this video of me of Panto back in the 1980’s and the old Waterford Pantomime Society. There’s a rogues gallery of Dwarfs on display including Ritchie Collins, Padraig O’Grīofa, Noel Keating, Denis Grant, Jimmy Kelly,Liam Molloy and Alleyn Pheasy himself. Enjoy 🙂

These season brochures are so important to archive. This year our sole Waterford representative was the Edmund Rice Choral And Musical Society with Iolanthe. Mind you our near neighbours from Carrick On Suir were down with an excellent Me And My Girl. Other outstanding shows that year included Some Like It Hot – Dublin Musical Theatre Players and a brilliant …

Who can remember the red incarnation of the Theatre Royal? The one that lasted from the late 1990s to the Late 2000’s? Here is a gallery of photos once again from Dermot Powers collection that brings back memories of an ‘in between’ time when the Theatre basked in a red velvet finish. Notice the Foyer was almost completely wooden and …

Just a short jump back today – 4 years to 2016 and WMS staged ‘Oklahoma’. The award winning part of that production was the Ballet – winning at the AIMS awards in 2016. Have a look and enjoy – it’s a great piece.

In 2014 the cream of Waterford (and indeed the collective countrywide) talent gathered in the Theatre Royal for a special night in memory of the legendary Bryan Flynn. It was a wonderful night of variety. The show programme contains many memories and other articles that are of huge interest including some musings from Bryan himself. Click on the link below …

A huge thanks again to Dermot Power for these photos. I’m only too delighted to add them to the archive. This time it’s a collection of external photos, renovation photos and some featuring Flaggy Lane and the legendary Larry Fanning who did so much for the Theatre Royal in his day. Enjoy browsing – some great photos here. Vintage Theatre …

The opening from the Royal Variety Show of 2011 – featuring Anything Goes performed by Julie Power and the Lullaby of Broadway performed by Ursula Hauck – along with a host of dancers. https://vimeo.com/384367956

I’m very grateful to Dermot Power who shared a veritable treasure trove of material with me during the week. I will share this out gradually over the next few weeks / months, but there are some great images there and articles and videos about the Theatre. To kick off have a look at this vintage photo gallery of images from …

Some absolute gems here. Too many people to mention, too much strange carry-on! Some young faces, some older faces and some that are not with us anymore. It’s made of of rehearsal footage a little backstage on the night of the performance. https://vimeo.com/382938668

With the week that is in it the first post of the year can only be a tribute to the late great Dick Hayes – the finest singer of his generation. This is taken from a tribute night to the great Denny Corcoran in 2003 – and Denny also appears in the video, and the eagle eyed will also spot …

Happy Bank Holiday Weekend! Heres another one of the lovely vintage videos taken backstage and around the Theatre during the John Player Tops. I’m not 100% on it’s origin, but there’s loads of familiar young faces in there. Have a look!

Way back to our first video from 1981 today and the central ‘Xanadu’ scene from the 1981 Glass tops. It was a long 10 minute pivotal scene in the middle of the production.

I’m delighted to share this with the kind permission of Mary Roche, the Coughlan family and Jim Nolan. This is a rare scene from the Gods are Angry Miss Kerr, Jim Nolans first play, as performed in Gala 121 by Stage Fright in honour of the 121st birthday of the Theatre Royal. It’s full of nostalgia and well worth a …

Back 58 years to 1961 and the show programme from the De La Salle Musical Society production of Die Fledermaus. 1961 – Die Fledermaus – Show Programme

Hope everybody had a nice August break. Coming to our own Theatre Royal next week is a double dose of Waterford plays – Rigor Mortis by Pat Daly and Ghosting by Anne O’Riordan and Jamie Beamish. Joining me to talk all things Rigor and Ghosting are Mick Quinlan and Anne O’Riodran. We had a laugh! Enjoy…

Featuring the legendary Ritchie Collins leading the troops is the 1984 Clover Tops opening which started with “No Business Like Show Business’.

Loads of familiar faces here from Ray Ban, Tramore and Port and Docks. Have a look and see how many young faces you recognise! There’s quite a few! Originally from the News & Star. 1992 – Tops Press Photos

Todays video comes from the Ray Ban Tops show of 1992 and its an extract from Little Shop Of Horrors featuring Skid Row (led by Billy McCarthy), Little Shop Of Horrors and Mean Green Mother from Outer Space.