Offaly school's annual show enjoys successful three night run

AFTER three years without an annual school show due to the Covid-19 pandemic, St Brendan's Community School made a triumphant return with a very sucessful production of “I Have A Dream” for a three night run last week.

It was almost like we were never away as the school gym was transformed into an auditorium filled with music, dance and fun and the audiences loved it.

It might have been cold and wet outside, but inside it was all sunshine and warmth provided by the backdrop of Greek islands, those famous white homes and a cast in Summer wear of shorts and T-shirts. It transported you to the Mediterranean and you could almost feel the warm breeze coming in off the sea!

The cast did a great job in bringing the show to life and it was a production full of energy and vigour and they earned their standing ovation at the finale.

Anyone who has seen the film 'Mamma Mia' will be familiar with the story. Sophie is dreaming of a perfect wedding, including her father giving her away. Problem is she doesn't know who her father is as her mother, Donna, refuses to talk about her past and won't tell her. Sophie sneaks a peek at some of her mother's old diaries and finds the names of three men who could possibly be her father. So, unbeknownst to her mother, she invites all three to the wedding, convinced she will know which of them is her father when she sees him. Unfortunately it is not as simple as all that and we watch as the story unfolds.

The story is told through the music of Abba, so for a certain generation it does transport you back to a particular period in your life. However much of the music of Abba is timeless and some of their biggest hits are as well known to today's generation as they were when first released over 40 years ago. Show me someone who doesn't know Dancing Queen once the opening bars of the music kick in!

St Brendan's had a strong cast of characters and good singers in the main roles but they were backed up by an excellent chorus. There were some terrific dance scenes and choreographer Julieanne McNamara did great work in co-ordinating the big numbers involved to provide such a spectacle.

Paul Norton was back as director once again and his experienced guiding hand was visible as the production moved with pace throughout and the main characters were all very well tutored in their roles.

Musical Director Enda O'Connor has been a driving force of the school musical for many years and his guidance is central to its success every year.

Even a technical hitch on opening night when the sound and music cut out suddenly in the middle of Dancing Queen didn't faze the cast. The show was held up for a few minutes while the problem was sorted but the cast just picked it up again like seasoned professionals and didn't let a little setback like that deflect them.

The role of Donna was portrayed by Alexandra Crowley and she played the part excellently. She displayed a lovely singing voice and she was assured and confident throughout. Her daughter Sophie was played by Siofra McDermott, who also did a great job, showing great acting talent and carrying off the role in style.

The three potential Dads, Sam, Harry and Bill were played by Kealan Franks, Caelum Larkin and Bill Austin respectively. All three had their own individual characeristics, which were maintained well throughout by all three, and they interacted well together. And all three showed they could sing as well.

Kayode Agboola played the role of Sky, who is due to marry Sophie. Kayode gave a strong portrayal of the character and played the role well.

Tanya and Rosie were members of Donna's backing band The Dynamoes, back in the day and Estella Kennedy and Aimee Delaney brought those roles to life. They combined very well together, showed great flair and acted and sang very well.

Similarly Sophie's friends Ali and Lisa were well portrayed by Ally Conneely and Fia Naughton respectively. They played the roles confidently and had good presence on stage.

The comic role of Pepper was brilliantly played by Fionn Hassett, who certainly got the most of the comedy in the part and he was ably assisted by Antonio Anspoks as Eddie and Conor McDowall as Paulo, who also played their roles with assurance.

Ben Hogan gave a lovely portrayal of Fr Alexandrios in the wedding scene and certainly made the most of the part.

They were backed up well by the remainder of the cast who showed enthusiasm and vitality in the many dance scenes and contributed to the success of the show.

A show like this doesn't just happen and just involve those on stage and a look at the programme for the show gives testament to this. Over two pages are listed the names of the huge number of people involved in everything from set painting to front of house, car park and security to sports hall seating and cleaning, and all of these people also played their part in what was another very successful chapter in the history of the musical at St Brendan' Community School.

Cast

Donna Sheridan – Alexandra Crowley; Sophie Sheridan – Siofra McDermott; Sam Carmichael – Kealan Franks; Harry Bright – Caelum Larkin; Bill Austin – Dylan Coughlan; Sky – Kayode Agboola; Tanya – Estella Kennedy; Rosie – Aimee Delaney; Ali – Ally Conneely; Lisa – Fia Naughton; Pepper – Fionn Hassett; Eddie – Antonio Anspoks; Paulo – Conor McDowall; Fr Alexandrios – Ben Hogan.

Senior Chorus – David Abbott, Tara Ashe, Sarah Austin, Nicole Bennett, Ella Boland, Evan Brady, Aoibhe Brewer, Aoibhe Brophy, Chloe Burns, Meabh Carey, Ellie Cox, Cathal D'Arcy, Max Delaney, Max Dermody Dobbs, Neasa Doorley, Leah Emaike, Alex Gallagher, Conor Gallagher, Caoimhe Ginty, Caoimhe Guidera, Dylan Guilfoyle, Celine Guinan, Annabel Haslam, Eoin Hoare, Tom Holmes, Aisling Horan, Emma Irwin, Mark Kelly, Caitlin Kennedy, Leah Landy, Lorraine Larkin, Gillian Loughnane, Patrick MacCartain, Katie Mannion, Roisin McAteer, Sarah Morris, Ella Morrissey, Isabelle Mullarkey, Kate O'Connor, Alison O'Meara, Katie O'Meara, Timothy O'Neill, Niamh Ramsbottom, Roisin Riley, Faye Ryan, Olivia Shaw, Laura Stokes, Emma Teehan, Barry Tierney, Sorcha Tierney, Sarah Tooher, Laia Ubresola Elvira, Emma Vaughan.

Junior Chorus/Choir – Maia Ales Smyth, Clodagh Byrne, Josie Flanagan, Isabelle Harvey, Molly Hunt, Cushla King, Laura Kozakiewicz, Eve Maloney, Caitlin McAteer, Aleesha McEvoy, Mia O'Donnell, Adam O'Donovan, Grace O'Hare, Aoife Owens, Stephanie Quegan, Kayla Shalloe, Zowie Sharpe, Alexa Sinkevic.

Dance Group – Evan Brady, Aoibhe Brophy, Max Dermody Dobbs, Leah Emaike, Dylan Guilfoyle, Tom Holmes, Emma Irwin, Caitlin Kennedy, Katie Mannion, Roisin McAteer, Sarah Morris, Ella Morrissey, Alison O'Meara, Olivia Shaw, Laura Stokes, Sorcha Tierney, Emma Vaughan.

Production Credits

Director - Mr P. Norton; Musical Director - Mr E. O'Connor; Choreographer - Ms J. McNamara; Assistant Musical Director - Ms V. Greer; Show Co-Ordinator - Mr E. O'Connor, Rehearsal Assistants – Ms R. Corboy, Ms A O'Hara, Mr C. Hogan.