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A laugh a minute in Laragh

The high standard of talent by the Laragh Variety Group in this their 25th Gala Variety Show in Stradone Community Centre over four nights, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 7 to 10, was performed before capacity nightly attendances. Over the past quarter of a century, a number of people connected with the show have passed away. However there was a special tribute to one of the founding members of the variety group, the late Frank Leddy, who helped with the show's production, and who was sadly missed on what was a special year for the group. As in previous years, there was no shortage of songs, comedy sketches and colourful stage presentations by a group of dedicated local people. The contribution from Laragh Foroige Club and Laragh Camogie Club was acknowledged, as well as the production team led by Patsy Smith. The comedy was provided by such notables as Simon Sexton, Cathy McKeon, Benny Sexton, Rosemarie Mullen, Noel Smith and David Clarke in a sketch entitled An optical illusion; An instant cure with Martin Smith, Benny Sexton, Simon Sexton, Fionnuala Farrelly, Oliver Tynan, Josephine Collins and Noel Smith. The Nagging Wife featured Sean Brady, Cathy McKeon, David Clarke and Fionnuala Farrelly. Musical items included a tribute to Johnny Cash from Oliver Tynan and Friends. The Foroige Club performed a colourful piece on Michael Jackson. There were songs from Charlie Clerkin, Catherine McEntee and Eugene Smith. The cast included: Cian O'Rourke, Conor O'Rourke, Shane O'Rourke, Ryan O'Donnell, Eoin Sexton, Ciaran O'Reilly, Fiachra Donohoe, Conal Donohoe, Joseph O'Donoghue, Eoin Donohoe, Raymond Lackey, Ciaran Cooney, Colm Kelly, Gene O'Rourke, Sean Tierney, Paul King, Jason Rahill, Jason Walsh, Declan Brady, Darragh Smith, Declan Smith, Aaron Dowd, Martin Farrelly. Darren Fitzpatrick, Philip Smith, John Denning, Kieran O'Donoghue, Kevin O'Rourke, Michael Cusack, Eugene Smith, Seamus Quinn, PJ Hand, Charlie Reilly, Charlie Clerkin, Benny Sexton, Simon Sexton, Sean Brady, Noel Smith, Oliver Tynan, Martin Smith, David Clarke, Terry Smith, Declan King, John McEntee, Amanda Collins, Aideen Coyle, Megan Denning, Emma Denning, Nicola Collins, Shannon O'Reilly, Aoife O'Rourke, Lorraine O'Rourke, Vanessa Brady, Grainne Power, Katie Smith, Theola Collins, Nicola Tierney, Ciara Fitzpatrick, Aimee Smith, Edel Sexton, Aoife Brady, Katie Brady, Orla Daly, Natasha Reilly, Eimear Brady, Ita Smith, Fran Reilly, Mairead Kelly, Deirdre Kelly, Grainne Kelly, Catriona Heaslip, Deidre Reilly. Margaret Plunkett, Helen McKeon, Kathleen Smith, Edna Smith, Maisie Smith, Agnes Reilly, Beatrice Rudden, Rosemarie Mullen, Cathy McKeon, Fionnuala Farrelly, Josephine Collins, Catherine McEntee and Paula McEntee. Production: Production, Patsy Smith; musical director, Mary Fitzpatrick/Declan Smith; choreography, Aimee Smith, Emma Denning, Nicola Collins, Louise Reilly, Natasha Reilly and Catherine Traynor; set design, Pat Smith and Michael Farrelly; scenic artist, Jimmy O'Donoghue; stage manager, Pat Smith; comedy direction, Pat Smith and Patsy Smith; make-up, Bernie Power, Mary Denning and Bernie O'Rourke; sound, Michael and Kevin Callery; electrical, James McKeon; lighting, Norbert Harte, Darragh Brady and Paddy Daly; stage staff, Andy Kelly, Philip Devine and Michael Leddy; and flower arrangements, Rose Smith. Orchestra: Keyboard, Mary Fitzpatrick; keyboard/accordion, Declan Smith; bass guitar, Padraig Smith and drums, Padraig Farrelly.