Our brave Dave while studying Aeronautical Engineering realised that its high flying lifestyle (of film premieres, booze and women…or maybe that’s something else!) was not for him, and so left to study Music Performance in Ballyfermot Senior College, an undoubtedly sensible and timely escape!! His going left a big hole in the UL Folk Group, of course … but when the stalking and death threats failed to lure him back, we finally relented and allowed him to follow his dream.

Luckily for us, he stayed in touch, making it down to Spanish Point weekends away whenever he could where his brilliant performances of “500 Miles” and the beautiful ballad “Asshole” will be remembered for generations to come.…. Sooo, when he told us in the course of our last weekend away that he’d landed the part of Jesus in the “Now and Then Production Company’s” performance of Jesus Christ Superstar, we immediately gave in to his impassioned pleading that we go to see him!!

And so, last Wednesday, 8 Folk Group members piled into a car and set off for the capital city, city of mystery, city of beauty, city of…well, expensive pints! With only one stop on the way (for ice-cream as it happens - when we go on a trip, we go all out!!) we finally arrived at the place where it was all happening.

The excitement was tangible, but safe in the knowledge that Dave had seats reserved at the front for us we made no attempt to skip the queue, though years of training at bus stops made this our natural inclination!!

And so … to the show! It was obvious that a lot of work had been put into music, staging and performance! The cast of the musical are extremely talented both where music and acting were concerned. Joe G., playing Judas, and Rachel Cox, as Mary Magdalene, gave outstanding performances. As for the golden shirt of Simon the Zealot, and the EVER so slightly camp Herod….they’d have to be seen to be believed!!

Dave himself gave an amazing performance that left some of us literally speechless (and that doesn’t happen very often, does it, Maeve?).But then, seeing a grown man on stage in a nappy does have its effect!!

After the show, there was a wild mob of mostly female fans waiting for Dave and pestering him for autographs. Admittedly this wild mob was us … but one girl who we’d never seen before asked for an autograph too. Theories as to who paid her abounded, but we decided to give Dave the benefit of the doubt … just this once! ;-)

With a 2 hour drive ahead of us, we had to leave for Limerick without being able to go to the after show (and after hours!!) pint in the local. Awwwww! But nonetheless it was a night to remember!

So, all of you out there remember Dave Flynn’s name. It definitely isn’t the last you’ll hear of him … I’ve been told that he’s already been asked to do a guest spot on Crimeline … fame at last!!

Finally a big thanks to PJ and John for organising the trip, John for driving us, and to everyone who came along. And of course to Dave for proving that it’s okay for men to wear make up!