TREMENDOUS ‘SUPERSTAR’
IT WAS ‘lights, camera, action’ last night in Arklow as Avonmore Musical Society opened its 39th musical ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ in St Mary’s College Hall.
With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lyrics by Tim Rice, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, is a rock opera telling the story of the last seven days of Christ and is one of the biggest shows available to amateur musical societies. This year’s show will run until Saturday, April 7.
From entering the hall, audience members get pulled straight into the period with John Redmond’s commanding and imposing set and Padraig Reid’s atmospheric lighting.
Once the band/orchestra under the baton of musical director Naoimh Penston starts the overture a very special evening commences.
The direction by Stephen Acton is a very real but humane and honest telling and staging of the story which although set in biblical times is as relevant now as it was back then. Stephen is a wonderful story teller and for such a young man he has great vision and great understanding of any script he undertakes to direct.
Musical direction and choreography by Naoimh Penston and Martina Lynch is all well rehearsed and beautifully sung and performed by the cast of nearly 70 members. The principal roles of Jesus, Judas and Mary Magdalene are played by Robert Vickers, Chris Currid and Aly Coyne – three amazing performers at the top of their game. Their acting and performances of songs such as ‘Everything’s Alright’, ‘I don’t know how to love him’, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ area joy to watch and are all showstopping numbers.
Robert Vickers performance of Jesus is a real emotional treat and his ‘Getsemane’ is a tour de force. With a running time of about 1hr 45mins it’s not a long show but the cast of principals and chorus must be exhausted as it is a very busy show for them all.
Other principal roles are played by Tomas Byrne (Caiaphas), Eamonn Doyle (Annas), Gary Joyce (Simon), Padraig D’arcy (Peter), Sean Hendley (Pilate) and Brian O’Gorman (Herod). Chairman Rob Donnelly said he is very proud of the work the cast and crew have put into this production, very grateful to all sponsors and patrons especially Main Sponsor Paul Kinsella of Arklow Jetting & Drain Maintenance and TurboRod. Tickets are still available on www.gr8events.ie/avonmore or by phone at 086 8722010.
You won’t be disappointed.