Platinum Frolics – Celebrating 70 years of Frolics

A sense of anticipation is building ahead of a landmark year for Ballyjamesduff Musical Society as they stage their Platinum Frolics, promising a sparkling selection of music, comedy and dance.

In addition to their ever popular comedy sketches, the revue will feature music to cater for everyone’s tastes, from a selection of country songs, a Bee Gees medley and probably most challenging of all, an excerpt from the Phantom of the Opera.

“I guarantee people will enjoy the show,” says Ballyjamesduff Musical Society Chairperson, Michael Callaghan.

Michael’s guarantee was unnecessary as the Frolics audience will be confident of a quality production when booking - the revue has delivered year after year for the last seven decades.

“It was built on the foundations of a very strong amateur dramatics group in Ballyjamesduff in the 1940s,” explains Michael whose personal connection with the show is rooted as far back as 1968 when he was among the cast. “They were involved in producing drama, but they started doing musical items during the intervals of their plays. By including music alongside drama they found they had a wider appeal.”

The Society’s first ever revue show in 1952 was called ‘Rainbow Revels’ and the organisers landed on a formula which has stood the test of time.

“While many things may have changed greatly in society over the past 70 years, one thing that has not changed is the format of Frolics. Successive producers over the years have continued with the original format which is still proving as popular as ever.”

Of course a winning format alone won’t put bums on seats - that’s where the talent of the Society’s producers, directors and choreographers come in, aligned with the dedication of the regiment of voluntary cast and crew. Together they imbue the show with the unmistakable sheen of professionalism.

“There’s a hell of a lot of work and commitment goes into making it a very high class, professional show,” says Michael. “I wouldn’t describe it as a mere concert – it’s a full blown show, and I think it could be performed on any stage in the country.”

Anyone who has made the trip to St Joseph’s Hall down the years will confirm Frolics is a major undertaking. This year is no different.

“On stage between, music and comedy we have up to 60 people – it’s the biggest cast we’ve ever had. And for every one of those people on stage, there’s at least as many backstage between stage hands, set design and construction, ushers, booking office, make-up, ticket office, publicity and advertising, lighting, sound, rehearsal co-ordination, costumes and wardrobe etc. It’s a huge community effort in that respect.

“And we are very lucky to have a great secretary, Patricia Greene and treasurer Rosemary Galligan.”

The sheer scale of the production demands preparation galore. The seeds of this year’s Frolics were sown at a committee meeting last February. Given the landmark anniversary they were eager to host a show, but were also mindful of the havoc Covid could wreak.

“We took the decision, yes we will go – we’ll start planning and just have to make our minds up as we go along and adhere to any guidelines or restrictions that may be put in place.”

Material was selected for the show over March and April, ahead of commencement of rehearsals in May. After a summer break they resumed mid-August, and as Michael says: “We have been rehearsing strong ever since.”

Ballyjamesduff Musical Society’s last Frolics outing was in February 2020, and cost “in the region of €30,000” to stage. The timing couldn’t have fallen any more fortuitously.

“We were blessed,” Michael recalls of their brush with the pandemic restrictions. “Literally the week after we finished the whole country shut down – we would have been ruined.”

2021 was the only year that Frolics fell foul of the pandemic, but the break has further whetted the appetite for all involved and those eager to head along.

“People have been even ringing up and booking even before the booking office was opened,” Michael enthused.

While everyone in the community are deeply proud of the Frolics, and its achievement in reaching its platinum anniversary, but when the curtain rises, the cast will be focussed purely on delivering top class entertainment.

“It’s another show for us,” remarks Michael, “it happens to be the 70th anniversary - but it’s another show. And hopefully it goes on for 70 more years!”