Students perform four sold out shows with more than the bare necessities

After four months of rehearsals and four sold out shows, Innovations Theatre School wrapped production on The Jungle Book Musical on Saturday, May 11.

119 students between the ages of 5 to 18 took to the stage at Gorey Little Theatre across three nights from Thursday, May 9 until Saturday, May 11.

“We were absolutely over the moon with how everything went. We had four great audiences and the kids powered through the whole week. We had a great time with it.”

“As much as it was very much a long week, the kids never really lost spirit and enthusiasm for going on stage. It was all just so exciting, we were all just having such a good time doing it,” said Lily Henrich-Doyle, Director of the production.

The show was choreographed by Madison Coleman and featured musical direction by Richard O’Toole. Before they announced the Jungle Book, teachers at Innovations Theatre School were a bit nervous that the students wouldn’t know the classic film.

“We were kind of a bit worried, that maybe some of the senior kids would think it was a bit babyish but revealing the show, we did it over a couple of weeks, giving out little hints every week. When we finally revealed it, everyone was excited to be doing something a bit out of the ordinary,” said Lily.

The kids auditioned for parts in the Jungle Book Musical at the beginning of December, 2023. “We sent out our cast list and script, just an information pack of stuff they could look over while they were off for Christmas,” said Lily.

This meant when they returned to acting classes after Christmas, they were straight into rehearsals for the show. “They’ve been working really hard for the last four and a bit months. We’re delighted with the pay off, it really did shine through on stage,” said Lily.

JJ Molloy who is seven years old, played the main part of Mowgli, a young boy raised by wolves in the heart of the jungle. “There was absolutely no doubt in our mind when we did the auditions that he would be up for it. JJ came in and he wanted to audition for Mowgli so I gave him a copy of the scene, he said he didn’t need it, he knew it off by heart,” she said.

As it turned out, The Jungle

Book was one of JJ’s favourite films when he was younger and he was determined to get the part. Lily says his enthusiasm over the course of the four months of rehearsals was evident and he got a lot of support from his parents, Alan and Laura Molloy in learning his lines and practicing for the part.

“His mother and father were so involved and as dedicated as he was to learn all his lines and songs and dances, it was really a team effort. With that support at home and in class, he had every opportunity to flourish in such a big role but it really did start with JJ saying that he wanted to get the part,” said Lily.

JJ’s energy was infectious and had a knock-on effect on the rest of the cast and crew. “It made rehearsals that much easier, it felt like it was everybody pulling in the same direction,” said Lily.

The set and costumes were another highlight of the musical. “We had a great group of students and a super team on the tech side. Our set and lighting designer, Mark Redmond, it’s like he gets into your head and understands what you visualise. We had a wonderful team on the band and live music as well and recording the kids. It was as close to perfection as was achievable,” said Lily.

The incredible set, with live trees and foliage from Kinbark Nurseries was another element of the show which caught the audience’s attention. “I felt there was no better way to invoke the feeling of wildness and being out in the middle of the jungle.”

“It was easily my favourite set I’ve ever worked on a show with, I couldn’t compare to any other set I’ve worked on,” said Lily.

One of the student’s mothers named Joanne O’Grady was Wardrobe Manager for the production. “She must have put in well close to 100 hours for costumes this year. There was between 300 and 400 costumes on stage. She did tireless work and she never complained. The community around Innovations really bands together to make it all possible,” said Lily.

Lily thanked the community that has surrounded Innovations Theatre School in the last few years. “Parents, volunteers, local businesses, members of musical societies locally, all of the people that aren’t students or staff of the school that go the extra mile to make it happen,” she said.