As announced, Essence of Ireland are delighted to be assisting in raising money for the long term future of "Thusha Kamaleswaran", who was shot and paralzed from the chest chest down when a bullet was fired into her Uncles shop in Stockwell.

If Essence of Ireland fans would like to make a donation outside of the theatre, please visit your local HSBC Branch and pay into the following account.

HSBC Thusha Appeal Fund

Account Number: 12239108

Sort Code: 40-07-30

Please quote "Essence" when paying any money in please.

Essence of Ireland will be donating a specially made dress to Thusha when she attends one of the Essence of Ireland shows shortly.

Keep your eye on the news page to find out more.

The tragic event happened when gang members opened fire on the local shop with one of the bullets hitting Thusha in the chest and paralysing her from the waist down.

Doctors have confirmed that its unlikely the 5 year old will ever walk again and she has already had to move schools where the disabled access is better for you.

Thusha dreamed of becomming a dancer and Essence of Ireland want to help raise as much money as possible to pay for her up and coming medical bills.

Director Ross Mills said "This is such a tragic story and you can't imagine what Thusha and her family must have gone thorugh. I hope we can at least assist with her medical bills by raising as much money as possible for her at each and every show. We are having a specially made dress designed for her, which will be presented by the cast of Essence of Ireland. Our thoughts are with her and her family and this very difficult time"

If our fans are interested in donating online, please e-mail ross@prestigeproductions.co.uk

After a fantastic 5 days in Qatar as a part of the World Arab Games, the cast and crew of Essence of Ireland are back in the UK for another 3 month tour, which opened to rave reviews at Clacton on Sea.

Following a fantastic performance at the Hawth in Crawley, the show now heads to Cambridge, Skegness, Mansfield and Carlisle for the next leg of the tour.

Director "Ross Mills" said "Its great to be back in the UK and we hope everyone enjoys the show. We love playing the UK and recieve a great response from all venues we play".

Check out the tour dates for a theatre near you!!!!

1)      At what age did you first realise you wanted to be a dancer?

I can’t remember a certain age, I guess I’ve always wanted to be a dancer, nothing else interested me.

2)      If you hadn’t have become a dancer, what profession do you think you would have liked otherwise and why?

Most people don’t know this about me as I can be a little ditzy sometimes, but I’m very organized and always write lists, so maybe an events planner or something stressful like that.

On behalf of the cast, crew and management, I would like to wish all the fans of Essence of Ireland a wonderful Christmas and a happy New year”

It’s been a great year for Essence of Ireland and we have played some fantastic venues, new and old. We had a great end of tour festival in Qatar, where we played along side the World Arab Games and received a wonderful response.

2012 promises to be an exciting year with further tours of the Middle East and South Africa confirmed along with 2 further tours of the UK – extra dates and tours are being added all the time, so please check the website for more details.

I hope to see you all at a theatre near you in 2012.

Thank you for all your support once again

Regards

Ross Mills

Director

The show finished a great tour at Salisbury last night and will take a few days break before departing for Qatar for five days.

The spring 2012 tour starts again in early April and will tour through to June, with the autumn tour starting with a months run at the Mandela Theatre, Joburg, South Africa.

The UK autumn tour will start in early October and continue through to mid December.

We would once again like to thank you all for your support and comments over the last 3 months and we all look forward to seeing you again soon.

Essence of Ireland

Theatre Royal Windsor and touring

Review by Robin Strapp (2011) published in the British Theatre Guide - Windsor - 01/11/2011

Essence of Ireland is a joyous and uplifting spectacular celebration of Irish song and dance. There is oodles of audience participation in this hand-clapping, foot -stomping, captivating evening's entertainment and I loved it.

It is also tells a sentimental love story between Sean Dempsey, born in 1930 in Dublin, and his lifelong sweetheart Cora McGowen, born on her grandmother's kitchen floor in Gort, County Galway.

Bucks Free Press:

Review: Essence of Ireland at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

3:19pm Thursday 6th October 2011

By Rebecca Cain - http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/leisure/9292258.Review__Essence_of_Ireland_at_the_Waterside/

THE dancers in Essence of Ireland did not put a foot wrong during their energetic and professional performance at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on Tuesday.