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September 2009 |
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ITS ALL GO FOR PANTO Eighty five children, from age seven up, auditioned, on Wednesday of last week, for the Panto ROBINSON CARUSO, to be staged in the last week of October during the Halloween school break. As usual, some amazing talent surfaced. The children had their first rehearsal on Tuesday of this week. They will be divided into separate groups to appear at alternate performances. It’s all GO from here until opening night in October.
Monday and Wednesday of this week saw the first rehearsals for the adult Cast. There is great enthusiasm and excitement because Panto is such fun. Everyone has a ball !
The Academy for the Performing Arts gets underway this Thursday and latecomers can still be accommodated. Just turn up next Thursday, or call to Willy at the Strand Theatre Box Office. Its funtime for all, with invaluable tutoring to be gained in song, dance and stage craft.
The Society extends sympathy to Graham Oades and Nuala Sheehan Oades on the recent death of Graham’s mother in Australia. Graham and Nuala have always had close contact with the Musical Society, Nuala on stage and committee, and Graham in an advisory capacity when the Society was renovating the old school house in Greystone Street in the mid nineties. Nuala and Graham now reside in Australia.
SWEENEY TODD LAUNCH Friday next, 18th. September, is SWEENEY TODD night, in the Strand Theatre Bar. Starting at 8. 30. pm., the launch will be a Social event, with a gathering of the clan ---intending Cast, supporters, Society members, and interested parties, a DVD of the original Broadway Show, a chat with Director Tony Finegan and Musical Director Fergal Carroll. There will be finger food, tea, coffee or maybe something a little stronger. The accent will be on the social end of things, but the serious business of the get together will be to introduce everyone to this monumental Musical by Stephen Sondheim. His brilliantly challenging Show calls for a superb, mature, over 18 Cast, so whether you come from Carrick, Waterford, Clonmel, Dungarvan, Kilkenny, or any points in between, come along and enjoy the night in the Strand. Don’t be shy, it’ll be a great night, Friday, 18th. September in the Strand Theatre.
Panto auditions for the adult Cast take place this Thursday from 7. 30. pm. in the Strand. There are a dozen or so parts to be filled, and it is hoped a super Cast will emerge. Production rehearsals commence on Sunday next at 2.30.pm., and proceed almost nightly, with children Monday to Wednesday from 6 pm. to 7.30 pm., and adults from 8 pm. for dialogue, song and dance. The next few weeks will be hectic.
Year 2 of the Academy for the Performing Arts got underway last Thursday, and was very successful. The change of day to Thursday was popularly received, and all were fulsome in their praise for the extra tuition, as all participants now avail of song, dance and drama, every week. There are still a few spaces available, so if any children are interested, turn up this Thursday, or next Thursday. Its wonderful training and great fun.
GREAT PANTO CAST After super auditions last Thursday evening, the Principal line-up for the Panto ROBINSON CARUSO was selected, and a great mix of experience and young blood has emerged. The romantic leads are in the hands of Michael O’Dwyer and Nicole Smith. Both, although young in years, have plenty of experience. Michael played JOSEPH a few years ago, and starred in MIKADO WITH A SWING. Nicole was one of the Witches in last year’s Panto, and sang the role of the Narrator in JOSEPH. It’s great to see new talent emerging. Also stepping into the front line for the first time are Bridget Phelan as the Whizette, who tells the story, and Eibhlin Walsh as the freakey Queen Disco. The veterans, of course, are led by Fergus Power as Ma Fiddler, as lively a Dame as one is likely to meet, Audie Murphy as Robinson’s father Giovanni, the two “funnymen” Nuts and Bolts in the capable hands of Padraig Sheehan and Seamus Power, ready for an devilment, the villainous Witch Queen is Siobhan Mc Carthy, well versed in “witchly” ways since ROBIN HOOD, Man Friday, the underdressed Native, is Chris Hanlon, and the Witchdoctor is Deckie Robinson. Elaine Norris and Shona Holden play other roles, and Nikki Ahern will lead the Chorus in Amarillo. It’s an exciting line-up and the Production Team is rarin’ to get Production Rehearsals underway. It’s going to be fun and games to Opening Night on Saturday, 24th. October next, and mayhem for the week of the run !
The sudden death of Anne Ingoldsby caused great sadness in the Society. The Ingoldsby family have had a long and distinguished association with the Musical Society. Husband Michael has been the popular, and held in great affection by all, Chorus Master and accompanist, since the mid fifties, up to his retirement a few years ago. Daughter Marian and son Gerard have played on many occasions, over many years, in the Orchestra. That all this was possible, was due, in no small way, to Anne, who kept the home fires burning while the family was busy with the Society, for rehearsal and performance. Society members, past and present, extend sympathy to Michael, Marian and Ger. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
Reminding everyone of the SWEENEY TODD Launch this Friday, 18th. October, which takes place in the Strand Theatre Coffee / Wine Bar at 8. 30. pm. It will be a great Social Evening.
HYPER SOCIETY Hyper, one of the new “buzz” words, can be used to really describe current activities in the Musical Society. In Pantoland, production and choreography rehearsals began in earnest, last week, with Principals, Dancers and Chorus involved nightly in setting scenes and situations in Act 1. Friday night last saw a break in the rehearsal schedule for the launch of SWEENEY TODD, in the theatre Bar. Present were the Production Team of Tony Finegan, Director, Fergal Carroll, Musical Director, and Chorus Mistress Catriona O’Dwyer, a large turn-out of new and old members, and some of the backstage crew. Willy Allen had organised a large screen for the DVD showing of the original Broadway Show. After the viewing and informal chat from the Production Team, an enjoyable Social evening followed, and a great air of enthusiasm was palpable from the super talent which was present. Rehearsals for SWEENEY TODD will commence when ROBINSON CARUSO has been put to bed in early November, so that hyper times can continue. The launch went like the proverbial bomb and was a great success, with lots of new and old members showing great interest in the upcoming Spring Musical, to be staged in late February / early March 2010.
Back to Panto. The 92 children rehearse, in their different groups, Monday to Wednesday, from 6 to 7.30. pm., and the adult Cast, over 30 strong, from 8 pm. almost nightly. A brilliant selection of music has been chosen, with Pops and Show tunes to the fore. The two choreographers, Patricia Woods and Grace Ryan, are dancing everyone’s socks off. ROBINSON CARUSO is going to be jumping off the Strand stage from 24th. October next. Fasten your seatbelts.
As well as all this activity, the ACADEMY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS continues apace, every Thursday, from 6 to 8 pm., with tutors and participants having a ball. Late joiners can still be accommodated. Just turn up on Thursday at 6 pm. Hyper Society? You better believe it. |
