Murphy’s Town Hall Athenry 37 17th & 18th March 1945 – Athenry Dramatic Club performed Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops To Conquer in the Hall, a 1773 comedy in Five Acts (source the Hall Journal, see also Connacht Tribune 17th March 1945, page 7): “Almost on the 172nd anniversary of its first production at Covent Garden on March 15th 1773, Oliver Goldsmith's delightful romantic comedy, She Stoops To Conquer, will be presented in Athenry by the Athenry Productions. They will put the play on the stage on St Patrick's Night and the following night. This play, colourfully costumed and bearing an air of old world graciousness, provides a striking contrast to the last production by the Company and should test their ability to maintain a high standard in production and acting.” 30th April to 6th May 1945 – The Unity Players performed their Drama & Variety in the Hall for 7 nights (source: Hall Journal). Plays performed including the following: Robert Emmett The Bat Let Erin Remember Irish Emigrant Love on the Dole The Longford Leader 26th May 1945, page 4, carries the following background info on the Unity Players: On Monday, 28th May, in the Hall, Edgeworthstown, Unity Players present their first class Dramatic and Variety Company direct from their successful Dublin season, in repertoire of modern plays. The plays include; Forbidden Love, Let Erin Remember, the Tragic Love Story of Sarah Currran and Robert Emmett, Love on the Dole, the Bat etc. The cast includes Harry Jackson, late of Geraldo’s famous orchestra; Joe Lennon, Eire’s ace accordionist; Liam Heffernan, bright comedian and compere; Patricia Lindsay, golden voice soprano direct from the Empire Belfast; Joan Cronin, late of Cork Operatic Society; Christopher Martin, Radio Baritone; Mick Dalton, Dublin’s comedian; Valerie Crawford, accompanist. Each play will be preceded by a star studded variety programme, including song scenes. 5th, 10th & 17th June 1945 – 3 Short Dances in the Hall on these nights (source: Hall Journal). 23rd July 1945 – Clann na Talmhan Dance with Music by Leo Gannon’s Dance Band, Admission 3s & 9d (source: the Hall Journal, see also Connacht Tribune 21st July 1945, page 7). 69 31st August 1945 – Three Hearts for Julia, a 1943 Comedy starring Ann Sothern and Melvyn Douglas was screened in the Hall by Daniel Ryan’s Travelling Picture Show (source: the Hall Journal). 19th September 1945 – Sweet Rosie O'Grady, a 1943 Musical starring Betty Grable and Robert Young (see pic opposite) was screened in the Hall by Daniel Ryan’s Travelling Picture Show (source: the Hall Journal). 3rd October 1945 – Heaven Can Wait, a 1943 Comedy starring Gene Tierney, Don Ameche, and Charles Coburn was screened in the Hall by Daniel Ryan (source: the Hall Journal). 31st October 1945 – Jitterbugs, a 1943 Laurel & Hardy feature was screened in the Hall by Daniel Ryan (source: the Hall Journal). 14th November 1945 – Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, a 1943 Horror starring Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi, Ilona Massey and Maria Ouspenskaya was screened in the Hall by Daniel Ryan (source: the Hall Journal). This was the first of a series of such movies, which combine popular characters from different film series. 2nd December 1945 – Athenry Dramatic Club performed The Cradle Song in the Hall on this night, (source: the Hall Journal. This is confirmed in the Notes & News section of the Connacht Tribune, 1st December 1945, page 8, which indicates that The Proposal by Chekov was also to be performed. All proceeds to the Church Reconstruction Fund). See also a detailed review in the Tuam Herald, 8th December 1945, page 2, extracts below: 69 The Tribune advert says 23rd July while the Hall Journal says 22nd. July 23rd was a Monday so perhaps the Sunday night is more likely for a dance?
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