Lisnagarvey Operatic were working 9-5 on this year’s show

Lisnagarvey roots go back to 1923 when it was known as the Lisburn Choral and Orchestral Society.

It continued to stage mainly Gilbert & Sullivan productions until the late 1930s when its activities were suspended due to the war. The current Society

datesbackto1957whenitwas

formedfromthenucleusofthe

then Lisnagarvey Male Voice

Choir.

Their shows draw audiences to the Island Arts Centre every year and it was with great disappointment that they took the decision to cancel this year’s all singing, all dancing production of the Dolly Parton musical 9 to 5.

Society Chairperson Jennifer Anderson explained: “Lisnagarvey were due to present their Annual Spring show 9 to 5 in the Island Hall on in April 2020 but of course we couldn’t proceed because of the Coronavirus.

“The cancellation of events has had a major impact on our Company, with no chance that we will be able to produce any shows in the Island Hall until we can have a reasonable expectations of sufficient audience numbers to make this a financially viable proposition.

“We were fortunate to have some support from the Arts Council NI during this time.”

Jennifer and the rest of the company are hoping that they can bring 9 to 5 to the Lisburn stage next year, but sadly their youth production, as well as their popular family pantomime at Christmas are also in jeopardy.

“It would be our intention to produce the show 9 to 5 the Musical in April 2021 and we know that our Company will be delighted to be able to reunite in rehearsals for the show,” Jennifer continued.

“We have an enthusiastic cast of members both in the cast and backstage who were extremely disappointed to have to suspend rehearsals and who remain committed to bringing this show to the wider public as soon as it is safe to do so, this is the first year from the Island Hall opened that Lisnagarvey have not preformed.

“It is well recognised that theatre and the Arts can make a significant contribution to positive mental health which has been a major concern at this time as our ability to meet together has been severely curtailed.

“As a Company we will of course be delighted to welcome new numbers to the Company when we resume as many people have discovered the benefits of music and singing during this lockdown period and the feel good factor which these activities yield.

“We were unable also to have our Summer Workshop for our young members aged 10 years to 21 years, which usually has around 70 members each year. And we are not sure if it will be able to have our Annual Pantomime in December 2020.”