MediaConsult Releases

Radio presenter Tom Dunne is going one step beyond in aid of suicide prevention next week as a West End hit musical, based on the music of Madness, comes to the Olympia Theatre for the first time.
 
Tom will be swapping his microphone for a pair of baggy trousers in the award-winning ‘Our House’, The Madness Musical at the Olympia on Friday and Saturday June 15-16.
 
The show features 20 of Madness’ best tracks such as Baggy Trousers, House of Fun, Driving in My Car, interwoven around the story of Joe Casey (Ian Tighe) in a Sliding Doors-style plot, where we see two life-paths stemming from one decision.
 
A must for fans of the band, ‘Our House’ won a Laurence Olivier Award for best new musical and enjoyed a 10-month run in the West end.
Tom Dunne will guest star as the dodgy developer, Mr Pressman and achieve a personal dream by singing Madness classic My Girl.
 
The producers TheatreworX Productions approached Tom due to his fantastic voice and his love of the music of Madness.
 
“I’m a huge Madness fan and I was so overwhelmed at being asked to do this that I asked my listeners for guidance,” said Tom
 
“On the no side, I’ve never acted before – but the producers knew that.”

“On the yes side, it’s Madness, it’s the Olympia and it’s the chance to do something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
 
“We’ll be working hard in rehearsals and I can’t wait to get on stage for a great cause.”
 
It’s a high energy show – a bit like Madness themselves – which has been acclaimed for its fantastic choreography, witty script and spectacularly quick changes. All cast members of this professional production are giving their time free of charge to help Console, a charity dear to their hearts.
 
Console is a free nationwide professional suicide prevention and bereavement charity which offers counselling support and 24-hour helpline services to those affected or bereaved by suicide.
 
The organisation was founded by Paul Kelly after his sister Sharon took her own life at the age of 21.
 
The charity has bases in Dublin, Galway, Cork, Kerry, Wexford, Limerick, Athlone, Mayo and Kildare and can be reached through www.console.ie.
 
Console also operates a comprehensive child and adolescent psychotherapy service, which caters for children as young as six.
 
Tickets for the shows (€28.50-€29.50) are available from Ticketmaster.ie or 0818 719 300.
 
For more information on Console, please contact Ciaran Tighe on 087 7776921