1974 was the year Ennis Franciscan Musical Society performed 'The Vagabond King'. Admission was 50p/60p with the programme being 10p to purchase. We once again performed in the Holy Family Auditorium to packed out audiences.
Gus Barrett took on the taxing role of the Vagabond King, Maura McMahon as Huguette his lower class lover, Maretta O'Hehir as Katherine the unattainable love. The cast was large and filled with familiar faces such as
Paddy Browne, Anna Monahan, Nigel Bridge, Cecil McDonagh among many other talented Ennis people.
Founding member Ita O'Shea took on the role of accompanist and chorus mistress. Ita was very involved in the society throughout her life. Kaye Gaynor was our chorus mistress to great acclaim as the costumes were complemented hugely in the articles in the newspapers and also at the Waterford Light Opera Festival.
The Vagabond King is a 1925 operetta (and later a film) based on Justin Huntly McCarthy’s play If I Were King. It tells the story of François Villon, a roguish poet in 15th-century France who is temporarily made king by Louis XI to help save Paris from invading forces. Villon wins battles and the heart of Katherine de Vaucelles, but when his time as ruler ends, he must return to his life as an outlaw.
Gus Barrett took on the taxing role of the Vagabond King, Maura McMahon as Huguette his lower class lover, Maretta O'Hehir as Katherine the unattainable love. The cast was large and filled with familiar faces such as
Paddy Browne, Anna Monahan, Nigel Bridge, Cecil McDonagh among many other talented Ennis people.
Founding member Ita O'Shea took on the role of accompanist and chorus mistress. Ita was very involved in the society throughout her life. Kaye Gaynor was our chorus mistress to great acclaim as the costumes were complemented hugely in the articles in the newspapers and also at the Waterford Light Opera Festival.
The Vagabond King is a 1925 operetta (and later a film) based on Justin Huntly McCarthy’s play If I Were King. It tells the story of François Villon, a roguish poet in 15th-century France who is temporarily made king by Louis XI to help save Paris from invading forces. Villon wins battles and the heart of Katherine de Vaucelles, but when his time as ruler ends, he must return to his life as an outlaw.
