Performing Arts in local schools

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: Dympna Tumilty/ Newry and Mourne Museum; Category: HISTORY; Published: 01 September 2022

Liam O’Callaghan and Billy Turkington from Newpoint Players rehearsing with girls and two boys from Mourne Grange School Newry and Mourne Museum Collection

As the summer holidays draw to a close, attention turns to going back to the classroom. Schools are often a child’s first introduction to performing for others, playing an important role in the development of their abilities. Many of us are accustomed to being entertained through school concerts, nativity plays and through participation at feisanna, be it speech and drama, music or dance.

Chris Kent 30 October and Blondie Tribute 28 December @ Canal Court Hotel

Many local schools have a strong history of drama. Patrick Carey became Head Master of Mourne Grange Preparatory School after the Second World War, bringing with him a wealth of experience, having worked with the famous theatre director Max Reinhardt. He formed Mourne Grange Society and for many years produced plays for Newpoint Players, who would often rehearse at the school and perform for the pupils. The school competed and were successful at Drama Festivals in Newry and Portadown and even produced their own drama festival in the school.

In the summer of 1956 they travelled to the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin to enjoy Androcles and the Lion produced by Cyril Cusack who also had the lead role, meeting him after the show. Coincidently, he had been the adjudicator when the school had performed Julius Caesar at Newry Drama Festival in 1950.

Pupils from St. Colman’s Abbey Primary School who took part in The Conceited Pirate at the Rice Memorial Fund concert in 1945. Back row, left to right, Frank Gray, John Mc Millan, John Haughey, Pedar Cowan, Frank McArdle, Noel Marron, Willy O’Hare. Front row, left to right, Eugene McKevitt, Sean Cunningham, Pat Heaney, John Kearns, Brian O’Callaghan, Bernard McGuinness Newry and Mourne Museum Collection

In the 1950s, Newry Grammar School often performed plays and concerts in Newry Town Hall. In November 1950 their Dramatic Society performed The Rose and the Ring, a light-hearted Victorian pantomime by W. M. Thackeray. The highly entertaining performance was presented over two nights and was a great success. In 1956 they presented Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Various schools were invited to the Tuesday matinee and the Town Hall was filled to capacity.

In charge of music for productions was Mr Harry Heather, a popular musician and secretary of Newry Musical Feis. He was also involved in productions in Sea View College, Warrenpoint, such as Miss Bath’s Dancing Display in 1930.

In 1960, Mr. Irwin Major formed the Dramatic Society of Ashgrove Secondary Intermediate School, pictured here in their production of Under the Skull and Bones, Easter 1962 Newry and Mourne Museum Collection

From its inception in 1928, Newry Musical Feis has given many children their first opportunity to perform on stage. The inaugural Feis also saw schools competing in choral singing, with sections for infant choirs (under eight years), singing games, sight singing and school choirs for both large and small schools. Over the years classes have also included action songs, fireside singing, hymn singing, plain song (sung in Latin) and songs in Irish.

As well as singing, the range of musical instruments has expanded from piano and violin to encompass brass, strings, woodwind, percussion and various ensembles and orchestras.

Local schools continue to excel in the performing arts, turning out excellent productions throughout the district and beyond.

The Museum is currently offering free tours of the exhibition galleries on Wednesdays at 2.00 pm. These must be booked in advance by calling our Education Officer at 0330 137 4422.

Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Please call 0330 137 4422 or email museums@nmandd.org for further information.

Please visit our website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/museums/newry-and-mourne-museum