AWARD WINNING GROUP TO STAGE 'MY FAIR LADY'

Pictured with their AIMS Awards in Kilkenny are (L-R): Fiona Keegan, Marie White, Veronica Monan, Katherine Ringland and Emma Phoenix.

The following press release appeared in the News Letter on Fri 6th July, 2007:

Fortwilliam Musical Society has finalised its big production for next year - My Fair Lady. The north Belfast group took the decision at a committee meeting on Wednesday. The show is set for February 26th - March 1st 2008, with rehearsals to begin in September. The society is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year and is still basking in winning an all-Ireland award.

It was nominated for four categories at the Association of Irish Musical Societies awards for its production of Calamity Jane, which the group performed at the Waterfront Studio in February. Fiona Keegan won Best Female Voice for her role as Calamity Jane, with the whole cast winning Best Chorus. Angela Harding claimed runner-up for the Best Choreographer, and they came second in the Best Overall Show category. Society secretary Emma Phoenix said the same "winning team" would be behind the My Fair Lady production, with Siobhán Mullin directing, William Cairns as musical director and Angela Harding as choreographer.

"A Northern Company has never won Overall Show, so it is a great accomplishment that we came second," said Emma. The society was started 30 years ago as a cross-community initiative to bring people in north Belfast together through amateur dramatics. Today, its membership comes from all over Belfast and it is one of the most accomplished societies throughout Ireland. The society rehearses at the Little Flower Girls' School on the Somerton Road.