DARRAGH AND HARRY SHINE
De La Salle College’s annual talent show ‘Class Act’ returned to the stage on in An Táin Theatre.
This year’s show was all about talent with a capital ‘ T’. The excited audience were wowed as students from every year group took part in a show which featured talented singers, marvellous musicians and energetic dancers.
Drogheda musician and teacher Sarah O’Hare, local Third Smoke band member Niall Clarke and ‘ The Irish House Party’ fiddle and harp player Aedín Martin had the unenviable task of judging the competition. The acts were privileged to have Patrick Leddy from the Sound Shop, Drogheda advising them and ensuring a professional sound quality on the night.
The show kicked off with ‘Reece and the Ukues’. This act, comprised of the second year music class on ukuleles along with vocalist Reece McCluskey, got the audience singing with their cool version of I’m Yours by Jason Mraz. Next up were the incredibly talented, traditional music duo of Donnchadh Hughes and Conor Conway playing a medley of tunes on harp, flute and whistle. This toe-tapping performance was then followed by 5th year student Maleek Abdul Rasheed and band, with their version of Justin Bieber’s hit ‘ Love Yourself ’.
Aaron Dillon then took to the mic and wowed the audience with a heart warming version of This Town. Adam Kane’s captivating classical ‘ Für Elise’ on the piano brought a touch of class to the theatre.
Far Behind, fronted by first year singer Barry Caldwell delivered a confident rendition of ‘Closer’, which was a massive hit with the female audience! He was joined on stage by Sean Gartlan, Samuel Bodejo, James Marley, Liam McEneaney and Sam Ogabomediele.
Padraig Grennan was next to take to the stage along with ‘Sam and Sons’ to sing ‘Little Lion Man’. Their traditional version including Donnachadh Hughes on whistle and funky beats by Sam Ogabomediele had the entire audience dancing in their seats! Magic, aka Pearse Travers, Conor Conway and Iarlaith Carroll won the crowd over with their heart –warming rendition of ‘Catch and Release’, while Jack McCaughey delivered the lyrics using sign language.
Feral, comprised of Darragh Bond on electric guitar and Harry Foley on drums, kicked off the second half of the show with an exhilarating original composition.
This was followed by Iarlaith Carroll’s captivating performance of Take my hand, accompanied by Donnchadh Hughes on piano. Dear Walt were next to take to the stage, with Saoirse Murrays powerful version of ‘So Far Away’ accompanied by James Crilly, Enoch Elewa and Mark Kingham.
Next up a velvety smooth version of ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ by Neil Murray and Ben Verling captivated the crowd. Neil’s dulcet tones were beautifully accompanied by Ben’s silky jazz style. Sam Bodejo, David Bodejo and Dennis Otobar took the audience by storm with their energetic dance routine under the name of 4:12ky. Adam McArdle followed with a beautiful performance of ‘ All we needed’ by Craig David.
This was followed by 6th year student Conor Gray with his beautiful and ethereal version of ‘I’ll Stand by you’.
Next Colm Bellew and band ’99 Red Balloons’ won the audience’s hearts with their version of ‘Nina’ by Ed Sheeran. Finally, Oisín McMahon and Saoirse Murray brought the show to a captivating close with a powerful version of ‘Sweet Dreams T N’.
As the judges deliberated Mr Brian Halpin, compére, called guest act and past pupil Aaron Matthews to the stage to perform a set of songs.
Joint 3rd prize was awarded to Conor Gray and Oisín McMahon, 2nd prize went to Trad-gic and finally 1st prize went to deserving winners Darragh Bond and Harry Foley.
Organiser Ms Campbell summed up the night saying, ‘ the hours of preparation are more than worth it when you see the talent shine’. Class Act 2016 was a captivating show that will live long in the memory of participants and audience alike.