Sabina launches new WLOS show
SABINA Higgins, wife of President Michael D Higgins launched Wexford Light Opera Society’s upcoming production of ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ at a well-attended reception in Clayton Whites Hotel.
The show opens in the National Opera House on Monday April 29 at 8 p.m. and will run until Saturday, May 4 with a matinee and evening performance on the final day.
There is a proud personal connection to the show for Ms. Higgins whose sister Eileen’s granddaughter Esme Becker McKiernan is playing the role of Gemima alongside Grace Goggins in the production which features talented husband and wife acting/singing team Pete McCamley and Aileen O’Donohoe in the lead roles of Caractacus Potts and Truly Scrumptious.
Society vicechair Catherine Walsh welcomed everyone to the launch, including the sponsors Bolands
Mercedes Benz and Caulfield Financial Limited, Clayton Whites Hotel, Whitford House Hotel and McDonalds Solicitors.
Director Tom O’ Leary said he was delighted to be working with the society for the first time and he praised the cast and chorus, who have been rehearsing for the show since January. Based on the beloved 1968 film adaption of Ian Fleming’s children’s book and featuring an unforgettable score by the Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a family-friendly blockbuster that audiences are sure to find truly scrumptious.
The cast also includes Jeremy, Hugh O’Brien/Charles Last; Grandpa Potts, Pat Lawlor Baron; Des Whelan, Baroness, Elizabeth Rose Browne; Toymaker, Brian O’Gorman and Childcatcher, John Crosbie with Musical Director, Fintan Cleary; Choreographer, Nicole McDonald; Chorus Mistress, Eithne Corrigan; Stage Manager, Colin Murphy; Wardrobe Mistress, Anne Reck; Projections, Greg O’Leary; Make Up; Elle Doyle and Wigs Mistress, Rebecca Keeling.