Triumph of Calvary – A Historic Production

In the early 1970’s A Passion Play was performed in the Holy Cross Church, Sligo which is still remembered with admiration by those who were privileged to see it. This year, the year of the Oberammagau, at the start of the 1980’s, Sligo Choral Society and Sligo Drama Circle will stage a presentation of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord entitled “Triumph of Calvary”. This promises to be an outstanding event in the theatrical and musical life of Sligo. The Choral work for the Passion and Crucifixion is “The Seven Last Words of Christ” by the noted French composer Theodore Dubois who first presented the work in the church of the Madeline in Paris in the early part of this century.

The music for the Resurrection is adapted from the works of Schubert and Handel, including the latter’s famous chorus “Halelujah Amen ” from Judas Macabaeus. Sligo Choral Society is well known for the quality and excellence of its performances. They have given concerts not alone in Sligo but also in Westport, Ballyshannon, Castlebar, Enniskillen and in Tallaght, Co. Dublin. The soloists, as on previous occasions are all members of the society. They include Deirdre Parle, Deirdre Folan, Brian Crummy, Paddy Somers, Tommy Mc Donagh, Frank Fox, Dermot Mc Dermott, J.J. Finan and Liam Finan.

The Musical Director is Mrs. Maura Butler who must take full credit for the whole concept of this joint performance. Mrs. Butler has resumed her role as conductor after a brief sojourn and the audience will thankfully again relish her expertise with a large choir. The guest organist is Mr. Martin White of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, who by now is a firm favourite with Sligo audiences. Martin White trained in music and organ at the Royal Academy and London University, has broadcast on RTE and BBC and has given organ recitals throughout Ireland, England and the continent.

The dramatic presentation of “Triumph of Calvary” id under the direction of Mr. Walter Mc Donagh who has vast experience in this field and who is so well known to international audiences especially for his fine productions of Yeats plays at the Yeats Summer School. He has assembled a very strong cast which includes Tom Mullaney, Ged Dobson, Eddie Watson, Joe Taylor, Dee Gallagher, Liam Mc Kinney and Robert Burnside among many others. The coming together of these talented and well known groups – Sligo Choral Society and Sligo Drama Circle – has resulted in what will be a unique performance not to be missed by those who value and appreciate excellent drama and superb choral work.. The total cast of over 100 persons is rehearsing with great enthusiasm which will ensure an experience to be remembered throughout the 1980’s.

“Triumph of Calvary” will be presented in Holy Cross Church, Sligo on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday of next week, March 26th, 28th and 30th commencing at 8.30pm. Admission is £1.50 with special reductions of £1 for students and 50p for senior citizens. The last passion play to be presented in Sligo was nearly ten years ago and was held to mark the closing of the old Friary. The play, which was held in 1971, was an overwhelming success, is to be staged again to herald the coming of the 1980’s. The “Seven Last Words” written by Francis Duvez will be staged in the new Friary, is a joint venture between the Sligo Drama Circle and the Sligo Choral Society and it is noticeable that all the main parts are being filled by members of either side of the venture.

The play, which is a mammoth production, need both the Drama Circle and the Choral Society to stage, and the end production will show that they have been working closely to make the production a success and this marks what must be the beginning of a relationship between both societies and it is hoped that this relationship will bear fruit to Sligo’s advantage. The passion play is to be held in the Friary at the end of this month, that is Friday 28th, Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th and tickets will be going on sale very shortly.

from The Western Journal, March 21st, 1980