An exciting night of musical magic in aid of Gorey-Malawi Health Partnership comes to Gorey on Friday, 27 April 2018.

This concert, held in the beautiful Christ Church, Gorey, will see professional West End singer/performer Annalene Beechey, who grew up in Gorey fly over especially for the concert where she will join forces with internationally renowned soprano and director of Irish College of Music Theatre Deirdre Masterson for this unique event.

The Magic of the Movies & Musicals will feature songs from legendary musicals old and new, favourite arias from the movies and much more. This concert has something for everyone with both artists bringing their unique and inspirational talents together for the first time here in Gorey.

Gorey Malawi Health Partnership

Annalene’s West End Theatre credits include, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Carousel, Wicked, Beauty & The Beast, Marguerite and many more with radio, TV and regular performances to date here at the NCH. Having featured on numerous original cast recordings, Annalene finally released her debut album, Close your Eyes.

Deirdre Masterson, a native from Gorey, was a founding member of “The Irish Sopranos”, Deirdre has performed on both sides of the Atlantic over the last decade and enjoyed chart success with both their album releases “A Time for Us,” and “Believe.” She has recently released Phil Coulter’s classic, “Scorn Not His Simplicity”, for International Down Syndrome Day on March 21.

Joining Annalene and Deirdre in Magic of the Movies & Musicals is Deirdre’s younger sister, soprano Kelli Anne Masterson, and Annalene’s sister, soprano Lynette Beechey. Gorey’s talented Pat Fitzpatrick, master of flute, whistle, alto and soprano saxophone, clarinet, bagpipes, and synthesisers, will be also supporting this evening of song and the accompanist is the extremely gifted Conor McCarthy.

Proceeds will go to the Gorey Malawi Health Partnership which is helping improve the management of asthma and other chronic diseases in Mzuzu in Northern Malawi. The Gorey-Malawi Health Partnership was formed in May 2016.

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world and has a population of 16 million people. It is estimated that 5.1% of the population has asthma and yet there are no programmes for the prevention and control of asthma.

The Palms GP Surgery has been developing initiatives to improve the care of asthma and other conditions. They hold monthly online web conferences to discuss clinical cases and update clinical care plans and protocols.

Mzuzu Central Hospital is the tertiary referral hospital for the Northern region of Malawi. Approximately 2,500 people with asthma attend their services. Basic medications are commonly not available. For example, salbutamol inhalers (blue relievers) were only available 100 days out of the last 365 days and steroid inhalers needed to prevent asthma attacks were available 30 days out of 365 days.

Funds raised will support the training of clinical staff in Malawi, supply of equipment and medications and research into the better management of these conditions in Africa. Further information at www.thepalmssurgery.com.

Tickets are €20 each and can be purchased in advance online by visiting www.thepalmssurgery.com or via The Palms GP Surgery Facebook page. Alternatively, tickets can also be purchased in advance at Mrs Bee’s Healthy Options, Wades Total Healthcare Pharmacy, and The Palms Surgery reception.

If you wish to treat yourself to an early bird dinner & concert, Eco Pizzeria & Restaurant, Gorey (053 942 1100) and The Bistro Restaurant, Gorey (053 948 9540) are offering early bird special meal and concert tickets in support of this event.

Booking in advance is advisable. Doors open at 7.30pm for 8pm start at Christ Church, Gorey on Friday, 27 April, 2018.

The Magic of the Movies Musicals in aid of Gorey Malawi Partnership