AIMS-ASSOCIATION OF IRISH MUSICAL THEATRE AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

19th of September 2020 by Kate Furlong

  The setting of the stage is might be different but AIMS zoomed in on the virtual to bring you a very different AIMS Awards 2020 from the Lock Up Live in Kilcoole and not from our usual home of the INEC in Killarney.

The season 2019/2020 was so different for so many with the stages going dark since early March but our wonderful adjudicators Tony McCleane-Fay ( Gilbert) and Billy Rea (Sullivan) took to the road and saw some wonderful, diverse and magical shows.

This season though shorter than planned, shows through the winners tonight the creativity that is so bright amongst all of the fantastically talented societies around Ireland, and we celebrate that all from a distance but all from a place of joy.

Go Go Go on Athlone Musical Society as they scooped 4 awards for their fantastic production of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat with Best Director for Alfie Kilduff, Best Musical Director for Ger Madden, Best Choreographer for Lea Carroll and the Best Overall Show in the Sullivan section.

The sunny South Eastern Theatre Group were also celebrating as CATS got the cream and will live long in their memory as they took home 3 awards for Best Musical Director for David Hayes, Best Choreography and Best Overall Show in the Gilbert section.

Throughout the country there was plenty of cheering to be heard from a distance but still as loud as ever for winners including Encore Preforming Arts Academy for Hairspray, New Ross Musical Society for Ghost, Portloaise Musical Society for Ragtime.

Speaking at the Awards AIMS National President Rob Donnelly said:

‘The awards presented tonight are a testament to the immense time, talent and tenacity each society put into producing each of these shows, both those awarded and nominated tonight and those who’s curtain never got to rise. In a time when the Arts is gone dark and musicals aren’t hitting any notes, AIMS as an organisation and the presentation of these awards tonight are a timely reminder of all the things we miss so much, the fun, the joy and the laughter. The fight will keep going and soon we will be back to all the things and people we miss so much. Please keep supporting the Arts and keep fighting for the survival of this wonderful world we all so desperately miss. It’s more than musicals, it’s a community’ For further details or any information please contact AIMS National PRO Kate Furlong 086-3332823.

Website: www.aims.ie

Twitter: @aimspro

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