Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Crew’s stage hit wins applause of audience
Youth group debut
Monklands Light Opera Youth enjoyed their first brush with fame as they took audiences on a trip back to the sixties.
The gifted group brought the beats and cracking choruses to Airdrie’s Ebenezer Congregational Church hall across five pitchperfect performances of their debut show – an adaptation of beloved stage and screen musical Hairspray.
Their Hairspray Jr. production followed the story of plus-sized teen Tracy Turnblad and her dreams of dancing in the Corny Collins Show and meeting her crush Link Larkin.
Tracy was expertly played by Amy O’Byrne, who shone in the demanding leading role, with Calum McGonigle complementing her well with his lovable portrayal of Link.
Tracy’s best friend Penny Lou Pingleton was played by Eva Caldwell, another wonderful talent who shared cracking chemistry with Logan Cameron – Penny Lou’s love interest Seaweed.
Ross McArthur acted as the fun host of the Corny Collins Show and the “Mums” in the show were played by Maura Allan ( Edna Turnblad), Amy Barton ( Trudy Pingleton) and Elle Sue Brownlie (Velma Von Tussle).
Hairspray Jr. saw the return of the senior Monklands Light Opera’s production team of director and choreographer Steph O’Raw and musical director Patrick McClair, and the pair combined to helm a show worthy of the professional stage.
A Monklands Light Opera Youth spokesperson said: “We took a leap of faith with this venture but it truly paid off as I am sure there were a number of very proud parents who saw their talented children grow in confidence on stage.
“A huge congratulations goes to everyone involved in the production, which went down a storm with audiences.
“We can’t wait to perform our next big stage production, which will be taking place some time next year.”
Monklands Light Opera Youth is open to P4-S4-aged children and to find out more about the group, visit www.mlo.club.