Quite simply, it was the night of nights.

Words should never fail to describe. That’s what words do, they describe. But words are struggling this morning

Last night, in the Auditorium of Ballinrobe Community School, something quite incredible happened. It was emotion-charged. It was uplifting. It was, for John McColgan and Moya Doherty, a balm for souls bruised by the Broadway experience. It was, in this writer’s opinion, Ballinrobe’s finest hour.

They reached deep into themselves, made little of the inevitable fatigue of a ten-night run, and unfurled a masterful performance. It brought the audience to its feet, and kept them there.

It was a night no-one wanted to end.

Let’s see if the words can succeed. Without edit, and in chronological order, here’s what was said:

John McColgan - at the interval:

Moya Doherty - at the interval:

Mike Murphy - at the interval:

Kathleen Watkins - reaction afterwards:

Margaret Vermette - reaction afterwards:

Speaking backstage to the cast afterwards - Pat McGovern, Mike Murphy, Cathal Goan, Kathleen Watkins, Margaret Vermette:

Claude-Michel Schonberg addresses the cast and audience - this was the first Saturday night, not the final night. What an honour for Ballinrobe to have this man present - and to see his genuine emotion and enthusiasm. And he said he might come back again.

John McColgan speaks to the audience on final night, flanked by Moya Doherty, Trevor Watson, and members of the cast

Moya Doherty, John Roe (Musical Director) and John McColgan pictured at final night

Moya Doherty and Director/Choreographer Peter Kennedy at final night

Moya Doherty, Pat McGovern, and National AIMS President Mary Heaney

John Doherty, karen Forde (Scenic Artist, The Pirate Queen) and Moya Doherty