DRAMA IN ST. MARY’S

It is fascinating to trace the history of dramatic productions in Fr. Maher’s centenary History of St. Mary’s College.  Three months after the College opened in 1890, a “Theatrical and Musical Entertainment” was presented, winning fulsome praise in the national newspapers. 

“That first presentation, undertaken under such adverse conditions, and yet, so successful, set the tone and standard in dramatic and musical performance that was to be a hallmark of the school for the next hundred years, and was to be much a part of the school’s ‘excellence’ as its academic and sporting achievements”. (WAM)

This was the beginning of the very strong drama and musical tradition in St. Mary’s. The annual distribution of prizes was always accompanied by musical and dramatic offerings, which were always favourably commented on in the national newspapers.

The plays of Shakespeare were soon introduced, 

“drawing audiences as large as 500 on three consecutive evenings, with the Archbishop of Dublin in attendance, and once our young actors appeared before an audience of 1,600 people in the Town Hall, in a performance in aid of the poor”.

John Dudley Digges, Jimmy O’Dea, and the Gogans were past-pupils who became famous in the history of the Irish theatre.

A St. Mary’s Past Students Dramatic Society was founded in 1930 after the College re-opened and a very strong group performed plays, several even in the Abbey Theatre. In the 1950s Colm Keegan was considered one of Dublin’s leading amateur actors and Paddy Funge an outstanding producer. Their last production in the College Hall was in 1957, after which they bought a small premises and continued to put on drama productions in the Lantern Theatre in Lr. Baggot Street.

From his appointment to St. Mary’s as a newly-ordained priest in 1944 until 1981 just before his retirement, Fr. Frank Barry CSSp year after year produced one outstanding theatrical production after another. Charley’s Aunt was considered by many to be his greatest success. It is impossible to do justice to the impact of these productions and this producer on College life. Very many students were given an introduction to drama and a love for it that has remained with them throughout their lives.

Dramatic productions were soon introduced when the Junior School was founded. Many past-pupils remember with affection the founding headmaster, Fr. Joe Gilmore CSSp, who produced them with the help of prefects (CSSp student-teachers). Fr. Gilmore painted the sets himself, as well as conducting the orchestra, soloists and chorus! Alas, with his retirement to become President of the College, the production of operettas etc. came to an end. Happily, this tradition of Junior School productions was resumed in 2007, when Ruth Toland produced a wonderful musical Oliver. Hopefully this will be the first of many regular offerings in the Junior School.

Meanwhile, in both Senior and Junior schools, summer term concerts always took place, with pageants and dramatic offerings produced by Máire Cranny-O’Donnell, and with Fr. Maiben and others supervising various choral and instrumental items involving many students.

From 1982 onwards, plays ceased to be offered and musicals soon took their place, a tradition obtaining right down to the present day.  In turn, Our Lady’s Templeogue, Notre Dame, Churchtown and – latterly – St. Louis High School joined our students in most of the great modern musicals, which were produced alternately in two schools. Fr. Raftery CSSp and Frank Foley worked strenuously and most successfully to maintain the great dramatic and musical tradition of St. Mary’s College.

The thanks of the College family are due to all those who worked so hard to establish a wonderful tradition.  It is evident from recent productions that the tradition is being maintained and even enhanced.