Show Reviews
2024/25 Reviews
AthloneMS
Cry baby
Sound was very strong throughout. There was a very impressive balance within the orchestra and a superb stage pit balance also. Choral singing was excellently mixed both off stage and on stage. Cueing was excellent and dialogue could be heard clearly throughout. There were excellent sound effects like the air raid siren, car horn and crickets. A super job.
Ballinrobe MS
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Sound was exceptionally good. Cueing was perfectly timed and levels were very well judged for orchestra, principals, ensemble, and choir. Dialogue was warm and clear at all times and it was so refreshing to be able to hear every word of underscored dialogue. Great support was given to soloists and there was superb balance in the ensemble vocals. Sound effects were appropriate, when used, especially the very atmospheric bells which added great authenticity to the story.
Ballinasloe Musical Society
The Little Mermaid
Sound design was generally strong. Vocal amplification was clear and well-balanced with the band. Cues were timely, and no mic issues or missed entrances were noticeable. It’s a real achievement to blend the live band and voices so well in a show with such dynamic musical shifts.
Marian Choral Society
Beauty and the Beast
Sound was pretty much flawless, in my view. Dialogue was crystal clear, especially underscored dialogue which can often be problematic. The wonderful sound design complemented the exquisite score, with superb balance within the orchestra and a most welcome stage/pit balance too. Choral singing was exceptionally well mixed and sound effects were well chosen and appropriate.
Bravo Theatre Group
West Side Story
If you can hear the finger clicks in the prologue of ‘West Side Story’, you can bet your life that the sound is going to be pretty good for the rest of the show. Sound in this show was superb throughout. There was an excellent balance between pit and stage, with vocals always sitting above the music, even in the loudest numbers. This is as it should always be. Lose that and we lose the narrative. Not being able to hear underscored dialogue is a real bugbear of mine. However, we heard every single word. Full credit to Mr. Farrell, Ms. McClafferty and the sound team for ensuring that this was prioritised.
Ennis Musical Society
The Witches of Eastwick
There is little that I can say about the sound design for this show other than it was
exceptional in its design and its operation. Balance across the board was excellent. The
orchestra was mixed perfectly and the balance between the three witches, in particular, was
sublime. Sound effects were appropriate and very well timed. EQ levels were excellent and
all dialogue sounded warm and full.
Clara Musical Society
Sweet Charity
Sound design and operation were in very safe hands. EQ levels were perfect. Every word of
dialogue could be heard and vocals were crystal clear in what can be a very difficult show in
terms of balance between stage and pit due to the considerable dynamics of the brassier
numbers. Sound effects were all very appropriate and very well timed. A super job all round.
Cry baby
Sound was very strong throughout. There was a very impressive balance within the orchestra and a superb stage pit balance also. Choral singing was excellently mixed both off stage and on stage. Cueing was excellent and dialogue could be heard clearly throughout. There were excellent sound effects like the air raid siren, car horn and crickets. A super job.
Ballinrobe MS
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Sound was exceptionally good. Cueing was perfectly timed and levels were very well judged for orchestra, principals, ensemble, and choir. Dialogue was warm and clear at all times and it was so refreshing to be able to hear every word of underscored dialogue. Great support was given to soloists and there was superb balance in the ensemble vocals. Sound effects were appropriate, when used, especially the very atmospheric bells which added great authenticity to the story.
Ballinasloe Musical Society
The Little Mermaid
Sound design was generally strong. Vocal amplification was clear and well-balanced with the band. Cues were timely, and no mic issues or missed entrances were noticeable. It’s a real achievement to blend the live band and voices so well in a show with such dynamic musical shifts.
Marian Choral Society
Beauty and the Beast
Sound was pretty much flawless, in my view. Dialogue was crystal clear, especially underscored dialogue which can often be problematic. The wonderful sound design complemented the exquisite score, with superb balance within the orchestra and a most welcome stage/pit balance too. Choral singing was exceptionally well mixed and sound effects were well chosen and appropriate.
Bravo Theatre Group
West Side Story
If you can hear the finger clicks in the prologue of ‘West Side Story’, you can bet your life that the sound is going to be pretty good for the rest of the show. Sound in this show was superb throughout. There was an excellent balance between pit and stage, with vocals always sitting above the music, even in the loudest numbers. This is as it should always be. Lose that and we lose the narrative. Not being able to hear underscored dialogue is a real bugbear of mine. However, we heard every single word. Full credit to Mr. Farrell, Ms. McClafferty and the sound team for ensuring that this was prioritised.
Ennis Musical Society
The Witches of Eastwick
There is little that I can say about the sound design for this show other than it was
exceptional in its design and its operation. Balance across the board was excellent. The
orchestra was mixed perfectly and the balance between the three witches, in particular, was
sublime. Sound effects were appropriate and very well timed. EQ levels were excellent and
all dialogue sounded warm and full.
Clara Musical Society
Sweet Charity
Sound design and operation were in very safe hands. EQ levels were perfect. Every word of
dialogue could be heard and vocals were crystal clear in what can be a very difficult show in
terms of balance between stage and pit due to the considerable dynamics of the brassier
numbers. Sound effects were all very appropriate and very well timed. A super job all round.
Galway Musical Society's "The Hired Man" 2018
Athlone Musical Society "Jesus Christ Superstar" 2018
"......Musical Direction was by Ger Madden, whose work was well showcased by Recks Audio
Clara. Sound from the stage was powerful but perfectly balanced, helped in some small part
by the positioning of the band on top of the wooden structures. Every word was crystal clear.
The “Hosanna Superstar” singing from the crowd during the Priests’ scene really sounded
like it was coming from the street........."
"......Musical Direction was by Ger Madden, whose work was well showcased by Recks Audio
Clara. Sound from the stage was powerful but perfectly balanced, helped in some small part
by the positioning of the band on top of the wooden structures. Every word was crystal clear.
The “Hosanna Superstar” singing from the crowd during the Priests’ scene really sounded
like it was coming from the street........."
loughrea MS "American idiot" 2017
Review for Clara MS "Cats" 2017
SOUND – RECKS AUDIO
A big show to balance the sound especially with the orchestra back stage and the numerous amount of individual mics. To the technicians credit the sound was first class. The balance between pit and stage was perfect. The individual performers were all heard perfectly, without any late cues. The sound effects were excellent and they too were also correct on volume, never drowning out the orchestra nor the singers. Congratulations.
SOUND – RECKS AUDIO
A big show to balance the sound especially with the orchestra back stage and the numerous amount of individual mics. To the technicians credit the sound was first class. The balance between pit and stage was perfect. The individual performers were all heard perfectly, without any late cues. The sound effects were excellent and they too were also correct on volume, never drowning out the orchestra nor the singers. Congratulations.
Birr Stage Guild "Oliver" 2013
"The sound balance and cueing was excellent
from Recks Audio, Clara. Sound effects were perfect. We particularly liked the
clock ticking effect and the thunder effect."
Richie Ryan AIMS Review
from Recks Audio, Clara. Sound effects were perfect. We particularly liked the
clock ticking effect and the thunder effect."
Richie Ryan AIMS Review
Athlone Musical Society's "Oklahoma"
AIMS Review by Richie Ryan (Show Times April 2013)
Ballinrobe Musical Society's "Evita"
AIMS Review by Pat McElwain (Show Times April 2013)
Ballinasloe Musical Society's "Pirates Of Penzance"
AIMS Review by Pat McElwain (Show Times April 2013)
Ballinrobe Musical Society's "Beauty And The Beast"
AIMS Review By Emer Halpenny, found in the Show Times Journal April 2012
Ballinrobe Musical Society's "The Pitate Queen"
AIMS Review By Michael O'Donoghue, found in the Show Times Journal April 2010
Ballinasloe Musical Society's "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers"
AIMS Review By Michael O'Donoghue, found in the Show Times Journal April 2010
Tuam Musical Socety's "Titanic"
AIMS Review By Emer Halpenny,found in the Show Times Journal February 2011
