WHAT with all the antics in Dublin Castle this week, it was no surprise that there was more than one comparison drawn between JFK, the musical about the former American president that opened on Tuesday, and our own ex-Taoiseach Charles Haughey.
Dillie Keane of Fascinating Aida, who was in Dublin after a successful four week run in the West End, volunteered to write the score for Haughey - The Musical and there were several suggestions for the starring role. Although Stephen Rea was in the audience, it's doubtful that anybody approached him to take part, though fellow guests John Kavanagh and Barry McGovern could, perhaps, he tempted.
After hosting a supper at his home, pianist John O'Conor went to the opening with his wife Mary. Kathy Gilfillan, who will rarely see her husband Paul McGuinness now that the U2 tour is underway, went along with Paolo Tullio and Susan Morley. Actor's agent Teri Hayden; actors Jeananne Crowley and Kate Thompson; Celtic Heartbeat's Dave Kavanagh; promoter Don Black and designer Richard Lewis were astonished by the musical.
The executive manager of Riverdance, Julian Erskine was there as was the recently appointed general manager, Max Finhow, who came from England with wife Danuta Barszczewski, who worked on hair and wigs in JFK.
After the final balloon had popped and when the catty comments had begun to flow, it was time to move over to the IFC for a big American style bash complete with popcorn, ice cream, bubbles and a big swing band. Mary Kennedy was in great form having just learned that she is to present Kenny Live for the summer, so she happily reminisced about her time in the hot spot presenting, last year's Eurovision. Meanwhile, Hallward Gallery's Brid Dukes announced that she will be 50 this May Day, and Kathryn Lennon spoke of hei plans, with partner Arthur Lappin, to make Gina Moxley's hit play Danti Dan into a film.
Upstairs was wall to wall American accents as the cast, crew, hackers and friends kicked back. Director Larry Fuller was looking forward to seeing more of Ireland with an intensive seven week rehearsal schedule, he has only escaped Dublin once, to visit Glendalough, and have a great feed at Mitchell's restaurant in Laragh. Fuller was choreographer on the original Broadway version of Evita and spoke of plans for a revival of the musical, commenting that he would be involved but Madonna would not.
Gary, Raymond, who as Joe Kennedy did the most show stealing in the production, was delighted to be back in Ireland. He reminisced about filming The Playboy Of The Western World when he and wife, actress Delena Kidd, were first married and the loveliness of Siobhan McKenna on that occasion. Meanwhile, the lone voice of dissent in that hearty room of self congratulation, Lord Henry Mount Charles, pointedly remarked of the production: "I won't be bringing it to Slane Castle".