Showbands

Showbands comedy drama

Ireland, 1965 and the Showband scene is at its peak. Ballrooms are popping up at every crossroads, and over 600 bands criss-cross the country to and from gigs. It seems like everyone in the music business is having fun and raking in the cash. All, that is, except Tony Golden.

Tony, as much a chancer as he is a charmer, has been in the music business all his life, and now down on his luck, is struggling to get his ballroom back up and running.

Four years ago Tony’s ballroom, in the heart of the midlands, was burned down on opening night.

Rumour has it, the most powerful man in the local music business, Alan Rendell was behind it. Tony and his father borrowed money from the bank for the ballroom, and the fire ruined them.

His dad drank himself into an early grave and Tony has vowed to get the place back open. Tony sold his house to raise money and now lodges with Gemma, local landlady and confidante.

With no repayments in three years, the local bank manager has run out of patience and Tony is given three months to pay off the two grand he still owes.

Realising very quickly that no-one in the midlands will lend him the money, Tony sets off for Dublin to look for help. While there he has an epiphany when he sees Denise a beautiful cleaner singing in a dingy pub.

Has Tony got enough time to convince Denise to join his band, launch her career and raise the two thousand pounds necessary to save his ballroom?

The help of local singing sensation Ricky Duvall and his manager Frank are crucial to the success of Tony’s cunning plan. But time is running out and fast!

Running time 2 x 120 minutes

Starring
Liam Cunningham
Breakfast on Pluto
Kerry Katona Atomic Kitten Tina Kellegher Ballykissangel Hugh O’Conor Chocolat,
Hotel Splendide
Denis Conway Alexander, Intermission

Directed by Ian Fitzgibbon and written by John Moloney.

Produced by Alan Moloney Breakfast on Pluto, Intermission, Endgame

Exec Produced by Mary Callery Omagh, Servants and Noemi Ferrer Engel & Joe