“Rathkenny Revels” 2016 show finished a fantastic run in TLT last weekend with supreme variety, high standards and something for all musical tastes. The talents of young new comedy stars such as Charlie Cullen, and Sean Weldon needs special mention as future stars working with the comedy team. Celtic Moves was a lovely new type dance with a mix of Irish and contemporary and incorporated some really nice footwork with artistic movement. The 1916 tribute was a fascinating drama of the exact events of 1916 with a focus on the wedding of Joseph Plunkett and Grace Gilbert, and it included recitation, rhyme, songs of 1916, fairyhouse races, and the 7 signatories dressed in their army best. Bernie Price gave a lovely version of “The Mother” by Padraig Pearse with Ann Marie Crilly (“Foogy Dew”), Aoife Traynor “All Around My Hat”, Ollie Weldon “Grace”, Adrian Gosling “Meet Me At The Pillar”, and Martin Donoghue “James Connolly”. Tom Kerrigan was at his very best reciting “Easter 1916” and Dick Murphy and Conor Hunter both did lovely versions of “I See His Blood Upon The Rose”. Martin Donoghue, Pat Monaghan, Oliver Weldon, Adrian Goslin, Mark Reilly,Dick Murphy and Ronnie Owens were the 7 signatories with Ronnie giving a very staunch performance of the Proclamation. The piece was produced, written and directed by Mary Crilly. Emma White gave an outstanding performance with “Jar of Hearts” and was one of the new stars of Revels 2016. Rachel Groome, Eva Hunter and Emer Morgan, did a great job on “Baby Talk”. Ann Marie Crillys version of “Vittiria Mio Core” was a classical piece that might often only be heard on a London stage, but it was truly divine. Kieran Weldon Michael Conlon and Liz McElarney stole the show with their comedy sketch of “Divine Inspiration”. The children in “Dig A Little Deeper” with soloists Aoibheann Sheehy, Sean Davis, Danny McCabe, Lorcan Lawlor, Eibhlin McKeever, Aoife Conlon, Dearbhla Hunter, Amy Maguire, Blaithnead Farrelly, Lucy Mae Reilly, Grace Kerr, Hannah Mongey, Maeve Sheehy, Lyndsey Kealy, and Saoirse enthralled the audience with their versions of Disney which was magic to watch, with colour, class, outfits to outdo Hollywood and powerful music, dance and song.

The second half opened with “Revolting Children” a very powerful performance of well known songs, including “I Dont Like Mondays and “Revolting Children” with soloists Sean Weldon, Charlie Cullen, Ellie Moore, Ellen O Reilly Smyth, Emma White, Saoirse Timmons, Clodagh Matthews, Sarah Crilly, and Caoimhe Stanley. A ”Medical Agenda” comedy sketch was witty, and entertaining with Kieran Weldon, Michael Conlon, Oliver Reilly, Emer Morgan and Dick Murphy and Ronnie Owens. Grainne and Shauna Gordan gave a top class performance of a medley of Adele songs. Kieran Weldon and Michael Conlons “Cross Talk” gave us their very best of quick exchanges with comedy lines that was a laugh per second, and the talent of these two experienced performers shone through the whole show. “Il Diva” was a simply magical piece of vocal excellence that provided simply the best entertainment value for the audience with perfect harmonies and the coaching talents of Tina Price Lynch which almost lifted the roof of TLT and was one to remember. The “Mime” with Kieran Weldon, Charlie Cullen and Mark Reilly was sheer class with up to date and older material mixed to give the audience laughs, fun and the best entertainment. The “Boat To Liverpool” included soloists Jade Johnson, Fern Kelly, Adrian Goslin and Oliver Reilly and it was the supreme end to the show, with Nathan Carter songs galore and it was the scene that brought many of our returning adult “emigrants” back to the Revels.

Revels 2016 was led by the production team of JJ Price (Chairperson), Kieran Weldon, Audrey Norris, Enda Nugent, Henry Byrne, Gerry McDonnell, Olive Sheehy, Ann Crilly and Mary Crilly. Musical Director was Kieran Weldon and Cheoreographers Audrey Norris, Grainne Gordon and Niamh Donnelly with Shauna Gordon and Jennifer Downey assisting. Stage Manager was Gerry McDonnell and Stage Crew Richie Hunter and Oliver Weldon. Costumes were arranged by Ann Crilly, Rita Monaghan Carmel Mongey and Dorothy McGuinness. Lighting and Sound was by Henry Byrne Enda Nugent and Anne Groome. Background slides for 1916 were by Mary Crilly and other slides by Adele Crilly and Shane McElhinney. The PRO Team were Mary Crilly, Ann Crilly, Anne Groome, Mary Matthews, Kay McCabe, Bernie Price, Tina Reilly, Olive Sheehy and Maree White. Revels would like to sincerely thank all our generous sponsors, all newspapers, LMFM, Navan Town Council and Louth Meath Education and Training Board and a special mention for our loyal audience who came to our show.