Monica Finlay’s perfect role as young Juan
THE story of Guadalupe was told in great fashion by the students of Our Lady’s and St Annes convent schools in Ardee. The story centres on Aztec boy Juan, to whom the Virgin Mary appeared in Mexico in 1531.
The difficult role of Juan, was played to perfection by Monica Finlay, while the part of Our Lady was taken on alternative nights very successfully by Dympna Harland and Bernadette Lynch. Shirley Irwin, well-known as a pianist, gave a very sincere characterisation of the part of the Bishop of Mexico. However, the whole cast rose to the occasion in great style and all are deserving of a full measure of praise.
The pleasing manner in which the girls performed during the concert part of the programme, showed unmistakcably the versatility and fund of music which exists in the school, All the items were greeted with loud applause. Rose Mary Caine, who speaks the prologue in “The Message.” sang two songs. “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere.” and “My Mother’s Rosary.” The welcome was spoken by Patricia Shells, and the epilogue by Carole Scollard.
Mr. Kevin McKeever was the stage manager, and the assistants were Messrs. William Sullivan and Padraig Lynch. Mr. Alfie Duggan was in charge of the scenery, while the lighting was in the hands of Seamus de Barra and Philip Sharkcy. The orchestra was made up as foliows: Piano, Miss Irwin ; Violins. Mrs. S. Tighe and Miss E. Flanagan ; Cello, Mrs. P. Roe.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, alternate nights. Dympna Harland and Bernadette Lynch ; Juan Diego, an Indian. Monica Finlay ; Juan Bernardino, his foster-father, Patricia Sheils ; Pazuma. a medicine man, Frances O’Rourke ; The Bishop of Mexico. Shirley Irwin ; Fray Raymundo, Marian Drury ; The Viceroy, Dolores Finlay ; Isabella, his daughter. Joan McKeever.
Indian child, Carmel Coleman ; an Indian Woman, Mary Reilly ; Pablo, an Indian child, Mary Mathews ; Dona Inez, a Spanish lady, Carole Scollard; Dona Lucia, a Spanish lady, Marcie Hawkes ; Dona Luisa, a Spanish lady, Marie O’Brien ; Dona Maria, a Spanish lady, Margaret O’Neill; Carmena, a Spanish child, Angela Hawkes ; Bianco, a Spanish child, Audrey McKeown ; Carlos, Iago, Ribero (Pages attached to Bishop’s House), Rose Mary Caine, Dolores O’Brien, Annette Callan; Domengo, Fernando, Pedro (Pages attached to . Viceroy’s Palace), Betty Morgan, Breda Matthews, and Nuala Maguire. Indian Villagers—I. Finlay, M. Callan, G. Murphy, B. McKeever, P Pentony, E. O’Brien. M. Pepper.
Indian Children—E. Callaghan, M Ruddy, J. Mathews, O. Steen, M. McMahon, E. O’Brien, A. Manning, A Carpenter, B. O’Rourke. D. Callaghan, E. Finlay.
Spanish Ladies—M. McArdle, A Coleman, P. Thorne. A. Knowles M. Byrne, N. Finegan. K. Byrne, K Hickey.
Spanish Gents—M. Conlon, C. A McArdle, Hawkes, K Farrell.
Dancers—J. McKeever, C. Coleman, A. Coleman, M. O’Neill. M Hawkes. M. McArdle.
Uuideal na Mna Feasa—The Witch, Maura Campbell; Step-Mother, Alma Grimes ; Little Girl. Anne McGlynn; Little Boy, Ailish Keating.
Fairies — Aileen Bennett, Anne Ryan, Mary McGuire, Martha McGuire, Trudy McDonnell, Lorna Shannon, Maireal McGlynn (Queen ) , Gabriel Callaghan, Bernadette Mathews. Maura McDonnell. Leprechaun—Cepta McKenny, Tony McMahon, Alice Reilly, Carmel McDonnell, Therese Callaghan, Deirdre Clarke, Jean Roe, Maura Callan. Frances Callan, Trena O’Brien, Nora Meeney, Geraldine Parrelly, Bernadette Thorne. I. Cummins, A.