PMS dedicate awards to Titanic passengers

And the show director, local woman, Kerry Dunn, dedicated the awards to those that lost their lives on the infamous Belfast-made ship.

The local drama group performed the musical to coincide with last year’s 100th anniversary of the sinking of the ship.

Local actors were on stage at the Riverside Theatre in Coleraine at the exact timethe iceberg struck HMS Titanic 100 years before.

Portrush Music Society’s spectacular production won ‘Best Show’ as well as topping the ‘Best Technical category’ at National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) President’s Gala in Hereford at the weekend.

These accolades are in addition to the two awards already given to the local Society for the show by the Irish organisation AIMS in Killarney last June.

Founded in 1899, NODA provides assistance and advice to amateur groups and societies across the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Each year their adjudicators review two and a half thousand amateur musical productions throughout the country.

Seven members of the Portrush Society were present at the awards ceremony to hear the great news and pick up the all-important awards.

Chairman William Thompson, who played second class passenger Edgar Beane in the production, was overjoyed at the recognition credited to the Music Society on the national stage.

He said: “ I am totally delighted for everyone involved.

“No one understands the work that the cast and production team put into making such a wonderful production.”

In her acceptance speech, an emotional Kerry Dunn, the show’s Director, reflected on the sad circumstances commemorated by the musical and dedicated the awards to those who had lost their lives on that fateful night in April 1912.

What makes the national awards even more special is that two members of the cast had links to Titanic.

The great-grandmother of the society’s costume mistress made linen that was used in the ship, whilst another cast member had a link throug his grandfather to Titanic designer, Thomas Andrews.

Portrush Music Soceity has just completed a successful run at the Riverside Theatre of the musical comedy Hot Mikado and are waiting to find out if this show is to be nominated for next year’s  awards.