Adam set for panto debut
WE’RE just a few weeks out from the opening night of Kerry’s first ever professional pantomime, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, and its stars are certainly being put through their paces as rehearsals heat up.
The production which will run from January 2 to January 4 inclusive, will have two shows daily.
It is being hailed as having “a combination of the biggest and most glamorous sets and costumes in Ireland and chart-topping hits of the past and present” will retell the classic story of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast’ in avent billed as fun for all the family.
Karl Spain, Adam Weafer and Clara Murray are the talented trio headlining the production, and having chatted to Clara already a few weeks ago, this week was the turn of former Red Rock actor, Adam Weafer, who will play the lead role of Beast in the production.
Despite having an extensive history of performing on stage as a musician, this will be Adams first time stepping onto the stage in the role of an actor and he admits that with rehearsals having started a few days ago, he’s found himself feeling a little nervous.
“We’ve started the rehearsals now over the past two to three days. Honestly, it’s all been a bit of a whirlwind so far, but so far so good, they’ve been going great. We’ve been kept busy learning all of these songs, all of these dance moves, plus keeping on top of the multitude of scenes, it’s been fairly busy!,” he laughed, talking to The
Kerryman last week.
“I feel like it’s okay to be a little nervous and a little scared, I think you just have to enjoy those feelings and embrace them. Nerves are great, I feel. Nerves mean you care about what you’re doing and that you want to show your best self. Nerves can be turmed into positive energy and adrenaline - you just have to say ‘right, lets get going’” said Adam,
“I’ve only ever performed on stage as a musician as part of a band, so I do find myself very comfortable being on the stage, but this pantomime work, this is a whole other different type of craft to learn.
“The only real experience that I’ve had with dancing before this then is probably at a party, where I’ve had a few drinks in me,” he laughed again, “singing on the other hand, I’m in my own band so thankfully I’ve a bit more experience with that side of things.”
“This is a whole different side of singing though, this is a lot of Disney songs, but it’s all been great to learn and just great to experience. You just have to trust the process of rehearsals, I guess,” he continued.
Recommended for the role by his friend David Crowley, Adam says that being offered the main role of The Beast is a responsibility that he is not taking lightly.
“My friend, David Crowley, he was in Red Rock with me. He played Peter Pan last year in the Gaiety Theatre and so the team here got in touch with him to see if he knew anybody that would be interested in the role.”
He gave my name, unknowingly to me might I add, and so they got in touch with me and so I came in, played a few songs for them and that was it, they asked me to play The Beast,” he laughed.
“Beast was the one part that I was hoping I would get and now I’m actually playing him, I can’t wait, He’s such a complex character,”
“He’s got these nice characteristics to him, he’s actually a nice beast and he’s just self-conscious about how he looks. I’ve watched the last two movie versions of the story – the original and the recent Emma Watson one – and I’m looking forward to bringing my own spin to the character,” he continued.
Speaking about his fellow cast members, Adam says that he has been blown away by the level of skill on offer from both Clara and Karl, adding that audiences are in for a treat when they come to see the show.
“I’ve met up with both Clara and Karl and they’re both great, Clara is such a sweetheart, she’s lovely to work with and by god, she’s a hard worker as well. She’s got a phenomenal voice, he people in the audience are going to be blown away by how good she is.”
“Karl Spain then, he’s exactly what you’d expect him to be. He’s such a messer, but he’s brilliant company to be around. He brings this kind of calmness, a kind of humour during the rehearsals that can calm everyone down, he’s brilliant,” he continued.
Speaking about what poential audience members can expect from him on the night, Adam says that there will be plenty to keep people of all ages entertained on the night.
“I’ve a few singing and dance numbers that should be fun to watch,” he laughed.
“The opening number that I do is esecially upbeat and fun. I’m learning that at the moment. The one that I think will really strike a chord though is the love song that I share with Clara as Belle. Then, there is a big finale number at the end which I can’t wait to perform” he said.
“It will be my first ever time performing in both Kerry or the INEC so I’m absolutely buzzing for that. I think we are going to be coming down to Kerry a few days earlier to get the lay of the land,” he continued.
All bookings for the upcoming shows on January 2, 3 and 4 canbe made through the INEC box office or online at www,inec.ie.
Tickets are set to cost just €25 for a single ticket while a family of four will cost €80. There will be two shows daily; the first show will take place in the afternoon at 2pm and the second show will take place in the evening at 6:30pm
I feel like it’s okay to be a little nervous and a little scared. Nerves mean you care about what you’re doing. Nerves can be turned into positive energy and adrenaline. You just have to enjoy those feelings and embrace them.