*Aoife Ní Ghormáin and Fearghal Kearney.
ENNIS MUSICAL SOCIETY return to the stage for their sixty seventh production next month.
Taking on the family favourite, Beauty and The Beast: A Broadway Musical will run for six shows. It arrives to the glór stage from Wednesday, April 1, to Saturday, April 4, 2026 with two matinees and four evening shows.
Live theatre’s magic has been brought to life by Ennis Musical Society for over seventy years. Since their first curtain call in 1953, the society has been dedicated to showcasing local talent, creating unforgettable performances, and providing a vibrant, inclusive creative space for all.
From beloved classics like Oklahoma! and Fiddler on the Roof, to recent hits like Legally Blonde and The Witches of Eastwick, those involved in Ennis Musical Society have, each year, shared laughter, music, and drama with packed out audiences.
Along the way, the society has been honoured with many Association of Irish Musical Society (AIMS) nominations and wins, including most recently: Best Comedy Actress, Best Chorus, and won Front of House for the second time in the Gilbert section of AIMS. This is testament to the dedication and talent of the incredible members and the steadfast support of our community.
Over sixty performers feature in this year’s show with a mix of seasoned society favourites and fresh new faces.
Aoife Ní Ghormáin stars as Belle, a seasoned performer and well known to Ennis audiences from EMS productions of Annie, The Wizard of Oz, Sister Act, as well as playing Gina in The Witches of Eastwick, Aoife was also a member of MIDAS during her time in college, playing Cinderella in the group’s production of Into The Woods, and was recently involved in a production of Sweeney Todd with Irish Youth Musical Theatre.
“This has always been a dream role of mine because of the story, the gorgeous music, and such iconic characters,” Aoife admitted. “I’ve absolutely loved every second of working on this show with such a talented and supportive cast. We’ve been very busy rehearsing since January and I’m so looking forward to putting the show on stage”.
Tulla native Feargal Kearney takes on the role of The Beast. He is also no stranger to the Glór stage, having played Glen Guglia in The Wedding Singer and Michael in The Witches of Eastwick with EMS. Like Aoife, Feargal was also part of MIDAS, playing Don in A Chorus Line during his time with the group.
Gaston will be played by Rhys McNamara with Newmarket-on-Fergus’ James Cullinan cast as Le Fou, they team up with Monsieur D’Arque (Jack Previllon). Des Sullivan will play Maurice, Belle’s father.
Castle favourites Lumière (Lorcan McAuliffe), Cogsworth (Ruan Kent), Mrs Potts (Ruth Fogarty), Madame de la Grande Bouche (Claire Curtin), and Babette (Sarah Alley) are set to delight audiences, with their witty one-liners, emotional ballads, and entertaining dance numbers.
Mrs Potts’ little boy, Chip, has been triple cast, and will be played by Aibhílín Brooks on Wednesday night and Friday night, Tristan Vaughan on Thursday night and in the Saturday matinee, and Kate Murphy in the Thursday matinee and on Saturday night.
Finally, Les Filles de la Vie, a group of Gaston’s fanatical followers who energetically pursue him in the hopes of winning his affections, are played by Rachel Hunt, Karina Lek Houlihan, Keelin Clune, Elle Naughton, Zoë Halpin, and Molly Cantwell.
Making up the production team are Jessica Bray (Director), Stephen O’Ríain (Choreographer), Eilís O’Neill (Choral Director), and Carmel Griffin (Musical Director).
Claire Curtin, Ennis Musical Society’s Chairperson, who also plays Madame de la Grande Bouche, said this year’s production has brought together an “unforgettable cast”. She added, “Ennis Musical Society’s utmost priority is its focus on inclusion and community, and with such a dedicated society that has fostered and nurtured generations of musical theatre over the 70 plus years of its existence, we’re certainly blessed by our members, friends, patrons, sponsors and volunteers who join us each year, new and old, and continue to help make these wonderful productions possible”.
“We welcome new members every year, young and old. There’s a great friendship between our neighbouring musical societies too, with cast members from neighbouring societies and groups like Shannon, Muse, East Clare, Limerick, Cecilians, Bravo, and Ballinasloe – to name just a few,” Claire outlined.
Tickets for this year’s Ennis Musical Society production, Beauty and The Beast: A Broadway Musical, can be purchased through glór’s website now – https://glor.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173668753
