Nerves of steel

THIS is Wexfordman Nicky Kehoe’s first Opera Festival as company manager - he was appointed to the top position earlier in the year.

It’s a job that requires monumental multi-tasking skills and nerves of steel as opening night approaches. Nicky is the man with whom the buck stops when it comes to coordinating all that goes on behind the scenes of the Festival.

‘I could do with a bed in here at the moment it’s so busy but we’re getting there now. It gets a bit easier as the first night approaches’, he said ahead of the opening of the popular public dress rehearsals tonight, Tuesday, October 16.

Nicky’s calm experience has been honed over many years with the international opera event which he joined as a volunteer stage hand 30 years ago. Having been Front of House Manager for all non-Festival events since the National Opera House opened in 2008, a position he still holds, he became Assistant Company Manager in 2013 and Company Manager this year.

The role demands experience in the arts, strong organisational and people skills and a knowledge of the Wexford community. ‘Wexford Festival produces six original, often unknown, operas in five weeks in four venues, involving over 200 company members, many of whom are cast involved in more than one production,’ said Artistic Director David Agler.

‘This is what make it so unique, but also makes it one of the most demanding Festivals for anyone to manage. Coordinating rehearsal schedules, costume fittings, production schedules, in addition to day to day human resource responsibilities of the visiting artists demands highly organised, diplomatic and patient person.

‘We are very fortunate to have like Nicky in this role.’