Raphoe Royal & Prior and Deele College, for the past six years, have been working closely together in association with Peace IV, which is a cross-border initiative financed through the European Regional Development Fund.
The schools have forged a lovely working relationship down through the years with particular emphasis on building positive relationships and actions to promote cohesion between communities.
This year they decided to pull out all stops and see if they could bring together the musical talents of both schools. When the idea was birthed they had no idea of the wealth of talent that lay within each school.
They were blown away when they tested the waters and saw beyond the apparent talents and skills unearthing the most gifted students. Andrew Tinney has been commended for finding such talent and developing it.
Andrew directed the musical 'Calamity Jane' and a fine musical it was! The students held their nerves, characters and accents professionally under Andrew’s steer.
Jade Molloy-O’Donnell choreographed the musical, putting her expertise at work with the students. The performance was sheer brilliance from the opening song to the curtain drop. It was a theatrical treat for the audience. Ellie Carson and Ellie Rose Henry shared the lead role of Calamity Jane and the singing and acting were spectacular- every word crystal clear.
The two girls duetted ‘A woman’s touch’ was a blend of unisons and harmonies to please the ear. Bill Hickcock Jonah Mitchell was outstanding- a voice that constantly surprised with distinctive tones and wonderfully wide vocal range.
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Adelaide, Niamh Troy and Yana Stewart Katie Brown, Sarah Tregaskis and Ellie Rose Henry were pitch-perfect in song and sensational in the act. Rebecca Foy, Katie Broderick Tinney, Ace Rodriguez, Ethan Wright, Joshua Devlin, Aoife Tinney and Dana Reece did their parts with vigor and enthusiasm.
The chorus brought great energy and pizzazz to the performance with their flamboyant dancing dynamism. The audience sealed their approval of such an impressive show by giving the students a standing ovation each night. A wonderful evening and thanks to the students of Deele College & The Royal & Prior for bringing everyone an unforgettable evening.
Cast
Calamity Jane: Ellie Carson Royal & Prior/ Ellie Rose Henry Deele College
Wild Bill: Jonah Mitchell
Lt Dan: Ace Rodriguez
Katie Brown: Sarah Tregaskis Royal & Prior/ Deele College
Henrietta: Rebecca Foy Royal & Prior/ Aoife Tinney Deele College
Susan: Dana Reece Royal & Prior/ Katie Broderick Purcell Deele College
Francis Fryer: Ethan Wright Royal & Prior/ Joshua Devine Deele College
Adelaide Adams: Yana Stewart Royal & Prior/ Niamh Troy Deele College
Rattlesnake: Jamie Russell Royal & Prior/ Lilly Ella Dillion Deele College
Doc Pierce: Ben Lowry
Joe (Jane) Faith Dunne
Hank: Emily Hajek
Pete: Ben Anderson
Johnnies (Adelaide’s Admirers)
Joel Gibson
Merlin Reece Duncan
Jamie Rodgers
Jack Browne
Chorus (principal dancers/cowboys/soldiers)
Mia Pearson
Enya Gallagher
Ellie Doran
Tiana Hannigan
Samara McBrearty
Demi Lee McLaughlin
Alicia McCullagh
Rebecca Orr
Emily Rowlands
Sophie Moore
Sophie Fulton
Kirsten Stewart
Abbie Alcorn
Olivia Maxwell
Sarah Wauchope
Alex Porter
Tami McNutt
Anna Boal
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